BROCKTON – This year’s Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Award is inviting applications from local students pursuing careers in environmental science or clean water management. The successful applicant will receive $1,500 towards their studies at a recognized college or university, or at the Walkerton Clean Water Centre this year.
“We are pleased to be offering this award to local students passionate about environmental protection and clean water management,” said Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody. “The environment is foremost in our minds as we deal with climate change and the protection of scarce and critical resources.”
The award was created to commemorate the Walkerton water tragedy, which took place 23 years ago, over the May long weekend. It honours those who suffered and supports the next generation of students embracing environmental stewardship and the protection of clean water. The scholarship is distributed from the earned income from an endowed fund held by Community Foundation Grey Bruce, a registered charity.
We are extremely grateful to our donors, which have included the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, the Walkerton Rotary Club, Veolia Water Canada, private individuals, and the Municipality of Brockton. If you are interested in contributing, please visit https://www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com/donors/ or call 519-371-7203.
“We are very happy to be able to support this initiative as part of our education grants for Grey Bruce students,” said Stuart Reid, executive director of Community Foundation Grey Bruce, which has close to $2-million in endowed education funds.
The Legacy Award is open to any student from Bruce or Grey counties, and submissions will be judged by a panel of local representatives overseen by the foundation.
Students may apply online at https://www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com/students/applications/. The deadline is May 31.
2022 winner
Last year’s award winner was Viviane Weiland, a 19-year-old Mildmay resident completing her second year at McGill University in Montreal.
“I am very grateful for the Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Award, enabling me to fully participate and indulge in a passion for my courses by helping with my tuition,” she said.
“Going into second year, I’ve been able to study more specific science courses and field courses that I am interested in. Through biophysical soil and hydrology classes, I have learned more about the importance of clean water management,” she said, adding that she is very interested in the design, restoration, and creation of ecosystems in cities.
Weiland is a graduate of Walkerton District Community School currently studying bioresource engineering.
