Wawanesa Insurance has announced it will offer $150,000 in Community Wildfire Prevention Grants to help protect Canadian communities from the growing risk of wildfires.
The community grants, a collaborative effort between Wawanesa, FireSmart Canada, and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), aim to support local initiatives focused on wildfire prevention. The deadline for applications is November 29, 2024.
The initiative falls under Wawanesa’s Climate Champions Program, which dedicates $2 million annually to initiatives addressing the effects of climate change. As part of this program, the Community Wildfire Prevention Grants will provide up to $15,000 to each of 10 selected organizations that are actively working to mitigate wildfire risks.
Jackie De Pape Hornick (pictured), Wawanesa’s director of communications & community impact, noted: “This summer’s devastating wildfire season was another stark reminder of the growing concern over climate change and its profound impact on the environment.
“As a mutual insurer, we have a critical role to play in protecting our communities. By providing local organizations with the support needed to proactively implement wildfire prevention measures, Wawanesa is helping build a safer, healthier, more sustainable future.”
This marks the third consecutive year Wawanesa has offered these wildfire prevention grants. Past recipients have included a variety of groups such as rural municipalities, Indigenous communities, residents’ associations, and volunteer fire departments.
The funding has been used for activities like vegetation management, conducting community risk assessments, organizing public awareness events, and promoting wildfire education programs.
Grant applications will be reviewed by a panel of wildfire prevention specialists from Wawanesa, FireSmart Canada, and the ICLR. The selected organizations will be announced in March 2025. Details on eligibility and how to apply can be found at wawanesa.com/wildfire-grants.
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