Owen Sound, ON – The Georgian Triangle Earth Day Celebrations launched their environmentally-focused film festival for students today, thanks in part to a $25,500 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Leigh Butler, local OTF Grant Review Team member was joined by guest speaker Barbara Hayes, Director of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, as students at the Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute gathered for the launch.

“Georgian Triangle Earth Day Celebrations is pleased to have Planet in Focus and Ontario Trillium Foundation work with our organization to present films that are inspirational and educational.” Douglas Nadler, GTEDC

In March 2008, OTF provided the Georgian Triangle Earth Day Celebrations with funding to provide educational programming regarding the environment and about human impact on biological footprint. The support has helped to ensure the successful launch of the first film festival, featuring animation, short documentaries and group discussion all dealing with the environment.

“By having Barbara Hayes, director of Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, travel from Ottawa and speak to the students as well as give workshops, we hope to engage high school students to act on climate change issues in their community. As well, Myan Marcen-Gaudaur of Planet in Focus will introduce these very important films that were first shown at the International Environmental Film & Video Festival in October, 2008.” Bryden Jones, Chair of GTEDC

Established in 2007, the Georgian Triangle Earth Day Celebrations is volunteer-led organization with a mission to educate and increase the public’s understanding, especially youth, of the biosphere and the importance of its health by offering programs and hands-on activities and by collecting and disseminating information on that topic. Over the past two years, as part of the Collingwood Music Festival, Earth Day activities included concerts, lectures, round-table discussions and talks by experts in the fields of horticulture and ecology.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For over 25 years, the Foundation has supported the growth and vitality of communities across the province. OTF continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives. For more information, please visit  www.trilliumfoundation.org.