TORONTO - NextEra Energy Canada, ULC, today announced three new partnerships with Canadian organizations that support educational programs across Ontario elementary schools and focus on raising awareness of biodiversity, energy conservation and science education. Earth Rangers, ConserveCanada, and Let’s Talk Science, will each receive $25,000 to support their respective educational programs.
“We’re excited to support these important programs that are providing valuable educational opportunities for students all across the province,” said Al Wiley, vice president, Wind Development, NextEra Energy Canada. “Today’s announcement is a reflection of our long-term commitment to making a positive difference in the communities in which we operate.”
Earth Rangers will provide support to its School Outreach Program that educates students on the importance of biodiversity and empowers them to protect wildlife and their habitat.
“Earth Rangers is committed to sharing our conservation message with as many students as possible and our partnership with NextEra Energy Canada will allow us to expand our School Outreach Program to 20 new schools in Middlesex, Huron, Lambton and Grey Counties in southwestern Ontario,” says Peter Kendall, executive director, Earth Rangers. “NextEra Energy Canada’s commitment to the responsible development of renewable energy in Canada aligns with our belief in working to integrate green energy alternatives into our everyday lives.”
NextEra is committed to ConserveCanada’s Workshop Program in 2014. This new partnership will provide a series of interactive energy conservation presentations and hands-on renewable energy activities across Ontario elementary school classrooms.
“The reality is that our future generations are going to be faced with some really tough energy decisions. We want to provide tomorrow’s decision makers with the information and tools to make responsible energy decisions that will lead towards energy sustainability and environmental responsibility,” says Tim Lang, executive director of ConserveCanada. “We are educating, encouraging, engaging and challenging children about conservation and the environment, one class at a time.”
NextEra Energy Canada’s partnership with Let’s Talk Science aims to help the organization reach its goal of increased science program development and delivery in southwest Ontario over the next year.
“At Let’s Talk Science, we are committed to bringing hands-on, minds-on activities to children and youth and to preparing them for the jobs and citizenship demands of the future,” says Bonnie Schmidt, president, Let’s Talk Science. “With the contribution from and partnership with NextEra, we can ensure children and youth receive quality science, technology and math-based learning experiences.”
About Earth Rangers
Earth Rangers is the kids’ conservation organization dedicated to educating children and families about biodiversity loss and empowering them to Bring Back the Wild™. Building on children’s natural connection to wildlife, Earth Rangers’ focus is to communicate to children a positive science-based message on the importance of protecting biodiversity and adopting more sustainable behaviours. Through programs including a children’s website, www.earthrangers.com, a permanent studio at the Royal Ontario Museum and a School Outreach Program featuring live Animal Ambassadors, Earth Rangers is able to reach, inspire and enable millions of children each year to take action to help ensure the lasting survival of species in Canada.
About ConserveCanada
ConserveCanada is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to energy conservation through educational workshops. ConserveCanada team members conduct free, engaging and interactive energy conservation workshops to Grade 5 science students in southwestern Ontario. The program focuses on the importance of conservation, understanding the impacts caused by current energy use, and the introduction of new ideas, alternative and renewable energies.
For more information about ConserveCanada, please visit http://www.conservecanada.ca
About Let’s Talk Science
Let’s Talk Science is an award-winning, national, charitable outreach organization. Let’s Talk Science creates and delivers unique learning programs and services that engage children, youth and educators in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The organization strives to prepare youth for their future careers and role as citizens in a rapidly changing world. For more information about Let's Talk Science, please visit www.letstalkscience.ca.
About NextEra Energy Canada, ULC.
NextEra Energy Canada, ULC is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a leading clean energy company with consolidated revenues of approximately $15.1 billion, approximately 42,500 megawatts of generating capacity, and approximately 13,900 employees in 26 states and Canada (through its Canadian subsidiaries) as of year-end 2013. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Fla., NextEra Energy’s principal subsidiaries are Florida Power & Light Company, which serves approximately 4.7 million customer accounts in Florida and is one of the largest rate-regulated electric utilities in the United States, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which together with its affiliated entities is the largest generator in North America of renewable energy from the wind and sun. Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy generates clean, emissions-free electricity from eight commercial nuclear power units in Florida, New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com,www.NextEraEnergyResources.com, www.NextEraEnergyCanada.com.