New Sault garden designed to stimulate all five senses

NEWS RELEASE

EVERGREEN

THE HOME DEPOT CANADA

******************** Sault Ste Marie's residents with disabilities among those in Ontario to benefit from Home Depot/ Evergreen nature grant program

Toronto, ON - July 7 2006 - Sault Ste. Marie's Community Living Algoma is one of eight Ontario-based projects that have just been announced to receive support from The Home Depot/Evergreen Rebuilding Nature Grant Program. Community Living Algoma will receive $2,000 combined funding and in-kind support for a new sensory garden.

The grant program is part of an ongoing partnership to support and maintain initiatives that address urban regeneration and habitat restoration.

Nationally, a total of 25 projects have been chosen totaling $120,000 of funding.

As an agency that supports people with intellectual disabilities, Community Living Algoma is dedicated to projects that stimulate all five senses.

The Sensory Garden will allow people supported by CLA to enjoy their gardens more through better access.

Housed in raised garden beds that are wheelchair accessible, in hanging baskets on pulleys and containers, sensory gardens are designed to encourage appreciation through all senses such as sight, touch and taste.

"This project is about so much more than beautifying the property; it is about connecting with the community, making lasting relationships and finding a powerful avenue for self expression," affirms Dina Guido, public relations coordinator, Community Living Algoma. "The funds provided through the Home Depot-Evergreen Rebuilding Nature Grant go a long way to helping us realize our vision."

Grant recipients receive assistance up to $11,000.

Contributions will account for 50 per cent of costs and depending on the scale will be in the form of funds, materials and resources and the expertise of Evergreen associates and Team Depot - The Home Depot's volunteer force.

"Green space and access to nature is important to all Canadians - especially those living in urban areas," says Annette Verschuren, president, The Home Depot Canada. "The Home Depot Canada through its partnership with Evergreen is pleased to be able to support such a number of diverse programs which work to make our neighbourhoods and communities more inviting, liveable and productive for all forms of nature."

Successful projects this year will tackle shoreline naturalization, habitat restoration, community gardens, and developing urban green spaces.

The winning programs are not only creative but diverse and improve local ecological factors in urban environments, find ways to engage and educate communities and act as social networks.

"We are delighted with this year's response to The Home Depot/Evergreen Rebuilding Nature Grant Program," says Geoff Cape, executive director, Evergreen. "The commitment and leadership demonstrated to nurture the environment and to promote education, awareness and partnerships throughout the communities has been outstanding."

In addition to Sault Ste Marie, other Ontario projects were awarded grants in the following cities:

Etobicoke: Mimico By the Lake - Mimico By the Lake Landscape Project

$5,000 will be contributed to naturalize local flowerbeds and planters

Toronto: Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre - Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre Native Plant Community Garden

$9,000 to help create new green infrastructure on a forgotten strip of land and improve health of the neighbourhood

Woodbridge: Earth Rangers - Creating a Canopy for Wildlife

$1,000 will contribute to creating natural habitat for wildlife undergoing rehabilitation

London: Friends of the Coves Subwatershed Inc. - Gateway to the Coves

$1,000 will contribute to this ambitious project that involves shoreline naturalization, creation of butterfly habitat, an interpretive station and links to existing trails

London: Life* Spin - Building Common Ground: Old East Common

$1,000 to create green space in an area that has a deficiency of public spaces. Project engages residents and broader community in planning heritage trees

Ottawa: Fletcher Wildlife Garden - Butterfly Meadow Restoration and Expansion

$1,000 to restoring a meadow with over 400 plant species attractive to butterflies and removing invasives through community action including local schools

Sarnia: Sarnia Urban Wildlife Committee - Entrance Naturalization - Art Teasell Wildlife Refuge

$1,000 to improve biodiversity at this popular urban natural area and improve the roadside view

The remaining grants for the 2006 program have been awarded to: AB- Edmonton, Calgary; BC - Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, and Williams Lake; MB - Winnipeg; SK - Saskatoon; QC - Laval, Montreal; PEI - Stratford, NL - St. John's; NS - Sydney.

About Evergreen

Evergreen is an innovative charity that builds the relationship between nature, culture and community in urban spaces.

Since 1991, we have engaged people in creating and sustaining healthy, dynamic outdoor spaces across Canada - in schools, communities and homes.

Our entrepreneurial approach to social responsibility creates vibrant neighbourhoods, a healthy natural environment and a sustainable society for all.

About The Home Depot Canada

Founded in 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia, The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer currently operating 2,064 stores, including 143 The Home Depot stores across Canada.

The company reported fiscal 2005 sales of US$81.5 billion and employs approximately 355,000 associates, including more than 26,000 Canadians.

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