Nestlé Waters Canada recently announced its donation of $10,000 to the Friends of Mill Creek.
Since 2003, the company has donated $81,350 to the group through a fund administered by the Grand River Conservation Foundation. The company also recently donated copies of its $3.2-million hydro-geological and biological studies to the Friends of Mill Creek.
That research was required from Nestlé as part of a permit renewal process related to water-taking at its bottling plant.
Those studies will help the Friends of Mill Creek better understand the hydro-geological and biological features of the sub-watershed and the influences of climate, water temperature, and water-taking on it.
The company also supports efforts to undertake fisheries and stream rehabilitation works, including stream bank reconstruction, stream bed re-grading, tree planting, culvert replacement, and farm fencing repair.
Much of that work is performed by the Mill Creek Stewardship Rangers, comprised of four local high school students and a crew leader hired over an eight-week period during each summer.
“Once again, Nestlé Waters Canada is supporting the Friends of Mill Creek with a significant donation,” said Robert Messier, a Grand River Conservation Authority ecologist and a technical advisor to the Mill Creek Rangers.
“Not only has the Company contributed money to the program, it has helped in other ways by donating significant research work undertaken in the sub-watershed, providing access across its property to do work around Mill Creek and participating in the enrichment program for the students.”
With the recent appointment of Nestlé’s natural resource manager Don DeMarco, to the Friends of Mill Creek advisory board, the company is also providing access to subject matter experts in hydrogeology.
“The Mill Creek is an important natural feature of the Puslinch community and it’s terrific to see Nestlé Waters Canada provide a level of financial assistance that will help us to restore the creek for the use and enjoyment of future generations,” said Larry Halyk, co-chairman of Friends of Mill Creek.
“The company’s recent donation of $3.2 million worth of hydro-geological and biological studies will also assist us greatly in terms of better understanding the natural make-up of the Mill Creek sub-watershed.”
John Zupo, President, Nestlé Waters Canada, said, “We are very proud to be associated with the Friends of Mill Creek once again this year.
Beyond the environmental education and summer employment it affords four local young people is the rehabilitation of Mill Creek and the fact that its health has improved considerably since the establishment of the Friends.
“We remain committed to working with the Friends of Mill Creek to ensure Mill Creek continues to be a healthy cold water creek for generations to come.”
Established in 1998, the Friends of Mill Creek is a coalition that works to maintain and enhance Mill Creek as a healthy cold water ecosystem.
The Rangers will complete their work effort for this year on Aug. 26.
