News

October 4, 2011

Evergreen’s Youth Action Series with HSBC Bank Canada

Calgary – October 4, 2011

Young Canadians from the HSBC–Evergreen Youth Action Series were making a difference in their community Saturday, September 24 when they joined together with the City of Calgary Water Services and Winston Heights Centennial Garden Committee to improve the long-term health of the local watershed at Nose Creek.

“The double benefit with this initiative is that it gives youth a sense of ownership through improving their community, while learning about the environment as well,” explains Zanita Lukezich, Manager of National Programs for Evergreen. “Before, storm water from the Winston Heights-Mountview community would pick up surface pollutants as it flowed untreated into Nose Creek. With a new rain garden in place, the surface pollutants will be filtered naturally. This natural buffer will also mitigate flooding,” she added.

“It’s important to stay connected to nature especially in our cities,” said Jacques Fleurant, Chief Financial Officer, Global Banking and Markets and Wealth Management, HSBC Bank Canada. “Our support to youth initiatives such as this one is an investment in Canadian youth and we are confident in an outstanding return for the environment.”

The next HSBC–Evergreen Youth Action Series event takes place in Montreal on November 5, 2011.

Background:
Across Canada, over a thousand city children and youth who rarely get a chance to climb trees or feel the grass under their feet will be getting an opportunity to connect with nature. A donation of $400,000 over two years from HSBC Bank Canada, and an additional one-time donation of $200,000 from HSBC Holdings plc in the U.K., will support the HSBC Student Bursary Program at Evergreen Brick Works, Evergreen Common Grounds program and HSBC–Evergreen Youth Action Series.

In Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal, some 200-250 high-needs and at-risk youth will experience nature first-hand through workshops and plantings, learning everything from urban agriculture to water conservation through the HSBC–Evergreen Youth Action Series.

“Research and our experience shows that education through connecting with nature builds healthy and confident young minds,” explained Geoff Cape, Executive Director of Evergreen.

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About Evergreen
Evergreen is a national not-for-profit organization that makes cities more livable. By deepening the connection between people and nature, and empowering Canadians to take a hands-on approach to their urban environments, Evergreen is improving the health of our cities—now and for the future.

Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen’s new home is a community environmental centre in the heart of Toronto’s ravine system. It is many things: a vibrant public space featuring a local farmers’ market and retail garden centre; a showcase of sustainable design; an educational playground for green living; and an international hub that fosters new ideas in urban innovation.

About HSBC
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, has more than 260 offices, including over 140 bank branches, and is the leading international bank in Canada. With around 7,500 offices in over 80 countries and territories and assets of US $2,691 billion at June 30, 2011, the HSBC Group is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.

For more information, please contact:
Anthony Westenberg
Evergreen Communications
416-596-1495 x332
awestenberg@evergreen.ca

Fabrice de Dongo
Senior Manager, Public Affairs
HSBC Bank Canada
416-868-8282

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