Cambridge's Toyota Plant And Employees Help Improve Grand River Watershed
'They're Commitment More Than Just A Cheque'
by Kw Now! Local News
May 16, 2012
Toyota and its Employees help improve Grand River Watershed
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada and its employees are donating both time and money to improve the environment in the Grand River watershed.
The Cambridge company has donated $100,000 to the Grand River Conservation Foundation to be used to care for trails and natural areas owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority. A list of projects is still being developed.
TMMC President Brian Krinock said “Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada has enjoyed a long history with the Grand River Conservation Authority. Many of our team members look forward to relaxing with their families at the local conservation areas, and we hope that this donation will support the ongoing stewardship of the GRCA.”
And, for the second year, volunteers from the company are spending time working on trail improvement and tree-planting projects on GRCA properties.
“These volunteer days are just one more way that Toyota is getting involved in the protection of our natural world,” said Sara Wilbur, Executive Director of Grand River Conservation Foundation. “Their commitment is more than just a cheque – it’s a wide-ranging philosophy. We are so pleased to have worked with Toyota for so many years.”
Six teams of five people are working near Glen Morris and Guelph between May 9 and 16.
They will be pruning trees and making other improvements on the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail, planting trees and putting up anti-beaver cages in Guelph, and improving the trail at the Starkey Hill Conservation Area on Arkell Road in Puslinch Township, near Guelph.
These are the latest ventures in a long-standing relationship between Toyota and the GRCA.
The company contributed to the Toyota Nature Centre at Shades Mills Conservation Area in 2000 and supported the construction of a green roof at the Laurel Creek Nature Centre in Waterloo in 2008.
TMMC was also a major donor to the Living Classroom—Campaign for Outdoor Education which raised money to support environmental education programs for elementary school children. The company is a regular sponsor of the Grand River Watershed Water Forum.
Photo Above: Volunteers from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada trim trees along the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail as part of a program that will see about 30 Toyota employees work on trail and tree projects on GRCA properties near Cambridge and Guelph.
