NEWS RELEASE
ENBRIDGE GAS DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS
WITH TROUT UNLIMITED CANADA TO RESTORE DUFFINS CREEK IN DURHAM REGION
TORONTO, April 24,
2012 – Enbridge Gas Distribution is teaming up with Trout
Unlimited Canada to help restore the Duffins Creek watershed. Running from the
Oak Ridges Moraine and passing through Ajax, Pickering, Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville
and Uxbridge, Duffins Creek is deteriorating due to increased urban pressure,
land use practices and climate change. Enbridge Gas Distribution will support
Trout Unlimited Canada’s efforts to restore the watershed through environmental
stewardship, habitat remediation and environmental education.
The Duffins Creek Renewal Program was launched today with
the support of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. The launch took place
at the Greenwood Discovery Pavilion in Ajax. The event included a press
conference, followed by a community barbecue and a tree planting.
“At Enbridge Gas Distribution, we are committed to
protecting and helping to sustain the natural environment in which we operate.
In this particular case, the waterways in the communities we serve,” said
Arunas Pleckaitis, Vice President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. “That is why we are
investing funds and our employees volunteering their time towards this effort. We
are committed to assist in returning this vital natural resource in Durham
Region to a state of health and beauty.”
As part of our Natural Legacy program, Enbridge Gas
Distribution employees, along with members of Trout Unlimited Canada and area residents
will help revitalize the creek to create high quality habitat for plant and
animal life. The restoration program will include habitat restoration projects
(tree planting, riverbank restoration projects), working with local landowners
on stewardship initiatives, and environmental conservation education in local
municipalities.
“Duffins Creek has enormous restoration potential and
we at Trout Unlimited Canada are excited to working with Enbridge Gas
Distribution to improve water quality and increase habitat for native animals
within this environmentally significant watershed,” said Jeff Surtees, CEO,
Trout Unlimited Canada. “Through restoration projects, stewardship activities
and public outreach and education, we will be creating a healthier Duffins
Creek for animals, birds, fish and people.”
“TRCA is proud that Duffins Creek watershed still
has aquatic communities which are healthy enough to attract the attention of
Trout Unlimited Canada,” said Gerri Lynn O’Connor, Chair, Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority. “Enbridge has demonstrated leadership in sustainability
and energy. This new partnership in Duffins Creek watershed is another example
of their role as a good corporate citizen. It is a show of their support for
maintaining clean water for the health and quality of life of people in the
communities of Ajax and Pickering. We look forward to a new relationship with
Enbridge and appreciate their commitment to clean water and their generous
support.”
About
Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge delivers more
than the energy people count on; we deliver on our promise to help make
communities better places to live. Through investments in partnerships and
human capital, Enbridge supports organizations that contribute to the economic
environmental and social well-being of communities near its operations. We take
our responsibility to the environment seriously, and therefore through one of
our six key focus areas, Natural Legacy, we invest in programs that promote
environmental stewardship, conservation, habitat remediation and protection.
Enbridge Gas Distribution
Inc. has a more than 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas
distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in
energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2012 Global 100 Most
Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's
Greenest Employers for 2011 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge
Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to more than 1.9
million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For
more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com.
About Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC)
Trout Unlimited Canada’s mission is to conserve, protect and
restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and their coldwater resources for
current and future generations. TUC has been restoring rivers and streams in
Canada for over 35 years. For more information about the Bronte Creek
Restoration Project-including project updates, TUC’s Flagship Conservation
Projects and TUC’s Coldwater Conservation Fund please visit www.tucanada.org.
Media Contact:
Silvia
D’Amelio
Trout
Unlimited Canada
Tel:
519-824-4120, ext. 53020
sdamelio@tucanada.org
Chris
Meyer
Enbridge
Gas Distribution
Tel:
416-753-6626
chris.meyer@enbridge.com
From left to right: Arunas Pleckaitis, Vice President,
Enbridge Gas Distribution and Jeff Surtees, CEO, Trout Unlimited Canada
planting a tree at the Greenwood Discovery Pavilion in Ajax today to launch an
initiative to help restore the Duffins Creek watershed.
From left to right: Arunas Pleckaitis, Vice President,
Enbridge Gas Distribution, Jeff Surtees, CEO, Trout Unlimited Canada, Gerri
Lynn O’Connor, Mayor of Uxbridge and Chair of Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority, and Doug Dickerson, Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Pickering at a
tree planting at the Greenwood Discovery Pavilion in Ajax today to help launch
the Duffins Creek Renewal Program.
