There are about 450 municipalities in Ontario and over 500 local groups registered with the Ontario Environment Network (and this doesn't include schools, religious groups, cultural groups, ratepayers and many other potential partners). They represent a tremendous resource; both for raising public awareness, and for improving the local environment.

Community-based environmental action needs to be supported by:

	local coodinators or advisors
	a community network of groups, service clubs and other volunteers
	community-wide planning to set priorities and develop partnerships
	community or province-wide campaigns
	project funding
	access to support material and funding for projects

Published Strategy

For information on how to set up a community action plan in your community, see the guidebook in the Community Action section

Goal

Targets

Major Activities

Provincial Networks: there are several support networks of community-based organizations (Green Communities and Healthy Communities)

Funding: there are numerous sources of funding for community projects

Campaigns: several provincial or national campaigns provide support material for community-based projects (Earth Day, Waste Reduction Week etc.)

Success Stories: there are a few sources of information on successful project ideas

State of the 
Environment 
Reporting

1. Community Planning 

There are several guidebooks that can help with community organizing:

	Community Action for the Environment: our own low-cost, cooperative approach to community organizing. Recommended for communities with budget constraints. The manual was first published by the Conservation Council of Ontario.   It has been reformatted and made available in html format.
	Sustainable Communities Resource Package: a comprehensive review of community-oriented environmental programs across Ontario. Published by the Ontario Round Table on Environment and Economy in 1995, the material is still available on-line even thought the Round Table was disbanded in 1996.
	the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition has several resource books on healthy community planning and case studies. They can be ordered through their website.

There are currently no funding sources that are earmarked for community planning.  

The Community Animation Program (CAP) is a joint Environment Canada and Health Canada program that used to provide support for community planning.  CAP supported ten communities in 1996 and 1997. The website is still active, but there's no word on when the next round of funding will be available.

2.  Provincial Networks of Community Environmental Groups

Looking to connect with a provincial support group and with other like-minded communities?  There are several provincial networks of community groups.

	the Green Communities Association is a non-profit association with about a dozen member "Green Communities" and many individual members. It was born out of the provincial government's highly successful (but now defunct) Green Communities initiative of the early 1990's. A Green Community project is usually a partnership between local governments, businesses and community groups. Most offer a home green-up service, including a home inspection and advice on how to save energy and water.
	the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition (OHCC) is a network of communities that have adopted an integrated approach to environmental, social, and economic issues.
	the Millenniumm Eco Communities network is a federally-supported network of community-based groups and projects.  They have a list of participating groups by region.
	The Ontario Environment Network is a network of over 500 environmental groups, including provincial organizations and local groups.

3. Funding (see also our Funding section)

Provincial

	Trillium Foundation is a major source of funding for community projects.
	Volunteer @ction Online is providing funding to develop internet support programs for volunteer-based groups and programs. The program is run through the Ministry of Citizenship, Recreation and Culture.

Federal Government

	Action 21 provides funding to non-profit non-governmental groups to undertake environmental projects in their communities that will result in positive, measurable impacts on the environment. The program focuses on four of Environment Canada's priorities: atmospheric change; biodiversity; ecosystems; and toxic substances.
	The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) manages federal funding for the Green Municipal Investment Fund.

Corporate and Foundation

There are several foundations and corporate funding programs specifically targeted to community projects.  They include

	Clean Environment Foundation (Canada Trust)
	Shell Environment Fund
	Mountain Equipment Co-op
	Community Foundations: for information on local community foundations go to Community Foundations of Canada

Check for funding sources specific to your own community, such as service clubs and municipal programs.

Fundraising Courses!
The Conservation Council is now offering an online fundraising courses in partnership with the Sustainability Network, Ken Wyman and Asssociates Inc, and Web Networks. For details, see the Greenability website.  

4. Annual Campaigns and Events

Several organizations run annual campaigns to promote public awareness. They will have material available to help plan local projects:

	Earth Day Canada -- Earth Week, week of April 22nd
	Pitch In Canada -- a clean-up campaign, first week of May
	Pollution Probe -- the Clean Air Commute, in June
	Recycling Council of Ontario -- Waste Reduction Week, first week of October
	Ontario Parks Association -- Community Parks Week, first week of October

5. Success Stories

Success stories are a good way to exchange ideas about the types of projects that could be adapted to your community.  Here are some sources for success stories"

	Eco Action
	Community Animation Program

Strange that community action should be such a low priority when everyone agrees that public awareness and individual action is such an important part of the solution to so many environmental problems.

The following steps would help strengthen the ability of communities and community groups to create healthy local environments, conserve resources, and prevent pollution:

1. Support community-based environmental plans

   	promote municipal leadership in community environmental planning
   	promote the development of environmental plans for cultural, first nation, and other communities (self-defined)
   	identify community coordinators, steering committees and networks
   	provide dedicated funding for community action plans

2. Support and build on the existing resources of the Green Communities, Environmental Advisory Committees and Healthy Communities; 
   

3. Strengthen community funding programs and integrate them with provincial programs and goals for protecting nature, conserving resources, and preventing pollution;
     

4. Develop additional support material, campaigns and project ideas for communities.
     

5. Develop a provincial reporting on community-based environmental projects and their results (linked into municipal reporting of environmental performance measures) 

Take an 
interest 
in your 
community!