Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association (MLOA) announced today that its board recently approved $15,000 in funding grants to two community applicants, from the organization’s Nature Enhancement Fund (NEF) as part of the funds spring intake.
The successful applicants include the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre and the Manitoba Camping Association.
“We are thrilled to be able to support these great Manitoba’s organizations with essential funding to further their endeavours to ensure the sustainability of our ecosystems and develop opportunities for people to enjoy the great outdoors,” said Mat Hobson, President – MLOA. “For generations, lodge owners and outfitters have contributed both their money and their time to initiatives that help ensure the sustainability of fish and wildlife populations and nature, and we are proud to be able to continue that tradition.”
The NEF is a program administered by the MLOA, and supported by our members and their guests, many of whom contribute to the fund while on guided hunting or angling trips to Manitoba. The fund provides grants to support community initiatives that enhance or preserve opportunities to enjoy nature or fish and hunt sustainably in Manitoba, for visitors and Manitobans alike. Since the fund’s inception in 2011, the MLOA has allocated more than $80,000 in grant funding to various community projects, including anti-poaching efforts, youth education programs, fish stocking programs, and other initiatives.
“MLOA is happy to contribute to programs offering Manitobans the opportunity to engage with the outdoors”, said Graham Neale, Executive Director – MLOA, “we are excited to see these three projects succeed, and look forward to more granting opportunities during the NEF fall intake.”
NEF project grants Spring Intake 2022
Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre – New Outdoor Eagle Habitat $6,000
Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre has been rehabilitating injured, sick and orphaned wildlife for their return to the wild since 1984. Funding from the NEF spring intake will help complete the Wildlife Haven Outdoor Discovery Space, by building the Outdoor Eagle habitat to house permanent live Bald Eagle residents, allowing Wildlife Haven to offer outdoor experiences in Manitoba, and educate kids and the community at large about the importance of eagles in our ecosystem, their role in the food web and in indigenous traditions and teachings here on Treaty 1 territory. By Building the Outdoor Eagle Habitat, Wildlife Haven will be able to expand its product offerings and create FREE outdoor experiences for visitors and Manitobans alike.
Manitoba Camping Association – Sunshine Fund $9000.00
The Sunshine Fund is a subsidy program that helps Manitoba families who are financially disadvantaged by supporting their children, ages 6-17, with a summer camp experience in July or August. The families reside throughout our province. A summer camp experience can have a positive effect on the self-confidence and self-esteem of a child and be instrumental in their personal growth. Camp provides the unique opportunity for outdoor activities such as horseback riding, fishing, archery, rock climbing, zip lining and swimming to name a few. Children who have the opportunity to experience camp and these activities will gain a desire to learn and therefore will have a tendency to embrace new challenges, they will learn to persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as the path to mastery and find lessons and inspiration in the success of others.
