Onanole Elementary School has received notification that their application to become a UNESCO ASPnet candidate school has been received and that they can now promote themselves as being such.  Onanole Elementary continues to create programming in line with the four pillars of learning and within the themes of the UNESCO ASPnet. This year they worked on project’s incorporating the theme of racism and discrimination and the effects on youth and our community which included a peace fair that embraced the community’s’ diverse cultures, and promoting peace throughout the school, and the community. Three teachers at Onanole Elementary has also been awarded the

Manitoba’s Celebration of Excellence in Teaching Minister’s Award 2008-2009 for Team Collaboration for last year’s F.I.S.H. project. Inspired by Mahatma Ghandi’s powerful words ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’, these teachers were very involved in the Friends Involved in Stopping Hunger (FISH) project. Activities included distributing Christmas food hampers, volunteering at Samaritan House in Brandon and the Empty Bowl project that raised $2,000 to help relieve local hunger.)

Gord Brown, MP for Leeds-Grenville

Environment Canada announced $5 million dollars of funding for Canadian Biosphere Reserves and the Canadian Biosphere Reserve Association (CBRA)! This will provide support for an additional three years of funding through to 2012-2013. We are elated and very grateful to Environment Canada to say the least! This is just what we have been hoping for.

Gord Brown, MP for Leeds-Grenville, made the announcement July 16, 2009 on behalf of Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, at a press conference held at the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (FABR) office, organized by Environment Canada and CBRA, with host, FABR.

Gord Brown congratulated the great work of Biosphere Reserves over the years and for their support of CBRA with their new endeavours. Addresses were also made by Richard Murzin and Karina Mullaly, CBRA Chair and CBRA Executive Director, respectively; David Walden, Secretary General on behalf of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO; Gary Clarke on behalf of FABR; and was moderated by Don Ross, FABR. There was attendance by Environment Canada representatives, regional mayors, and FABR Board members and friends.

Environment Canada is providing financial support of $5M over five years to 14 of the 15 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Canada ($3 M in addition to the 2$M already announced). The fifteenth biosphere reserve, Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, already has a federal source of core funding.

The Environment Canada Press Release is available on their website at:
[ Environment Canada ]

The core protected area, Riding Mountain National Park, covers some 3,000 square kilometers of mixedwood forest, eastern deciduous forest, and rough fescue prairie. RMBR also includes a Zone of Cooperation which consists of the 15 municipalities that surround the Park, comprising an additional 12,000 square kilometers. The RMBR is rich in lakes, streams and natural habitat. Development within the Biosphere Reserve has largely been for the growing of grain and forage crops, and for the production of livestock. Hunting, guiding, and eco-tourism also contribute to the local economy.