Federal government makes investments into climate change resilience projects in London

London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos was at ReForest London on Thursday where he announced $2.1 million for the organization.

The federal government made a few large investments into London, Ont. infrastructure projects Thursday.

London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos was at ReForest London where he announced $2.1 million for the organization.

This money will help ReForest London create an energy-efficient resource centre while providing a variety of free programs, events, and services to the public. And of course, will help a lot more trees get planted.

“Responsibility of responding to climate change, which is the challenge of our time, belongs to government,” said Fragiskatos. “But everybody has a role, from businesses and ultimately the citizens. Everybody has a role to play and reforest London is going to be leading that effort of bringing citizens in to respond to the threat of climate change.”

Specifically, this funding will transform a 1940s veterans facility into an energy-efficient, solar-powered, climate resilient centre.

“This is an incredible investment. And it’s going to go to create an urban forestry centre. We’re going to be running educational programing out of there for the community. All ages. People [can] learn how to do everything from seed collecting to planting seeds, growing trees, all that, sort of like a whole lifecycle tree and how to care for them,” explained Co-Executive Director Rodger Moran.

The funding didn’t end there.

Fragiskatos also announced $600,000 for the London Optimist Sports Centre. That money will be used for green improvements and updating equipment.

“We are grateful for the federal government’s commitment to the local community and how they have supported our vision to provide one of the best sports facilities in this region,” said President and General Manager Tom Partalas. “It not only allows us to operate in a way that benefits the environment and lowers our costs, it is another important piece in our efforts to provide a first-class sporting venue that the citizens of London can enjoy all year round.”