2026 GREEN LEADER PROGRAM Recipient Announcement
In partnership with Waste Management of Canada and the Town of Petrolia
April 22, 2026
The Green Leader Program is part of Waste Management and the Town of Petrolia’s ongoing efforts to encourage the development of local community engagement and environmental solutions that build sustainable communities. The program is centered around a grant opportunity that is available to applicants living, working, and learning in the Town of Petrolia or benefiting Petrolia and its residents.
Waste Management and the Town of Petrolia are pleased with the number of businesses, organizations, and institutions that applied for this funding opportunity in the 2026 intake. The program is designed to support initiatives that highlight the following sustainability goals:
Environmental Goal:
- The Green Leader program supports organizations and initiatives that preserve and/or enhance natural resources and/or help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Community Goal:
- The Green Leader program focuses on local initiatives that support employees, enhance our environment, promote education, and improve the safety and livability of our communities.
Each year, a committee of community members look over the applications and grade each application on the above criteria and rank the applications with assigned dollar value recommendations. There is an available funding amount of $15,000 available for the projects. Each applicant may request up to $15,000 in program/project funding. This funding is a one-time, non-repayable, fully funded grant. Applications are due each year on March 30. Waste Management and the Town of Petrolia would like to thank our volunteers for their assistance in the selection of this year’s recipients.
“Earth Day is the perfect day for this annual announcement as it brings community attention to the issues facing the earth and through this program, it is a nice opportunity to do our part. Residents are encouraged to visit earthday.org to learn more about what they can do for our planet. We are very grateful for this partnership with Waste Management for the betterment of our community and for our earth.” Said, Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Rick Charlebois.
2026 Successful Projects:
The Petrolia Discovery Foundation – $1,000 for the planting of 20 Red Cedars that will act as both a windbreak and a habitat for various species, and the planting of 6 Sugar Maple trees and 6 Serviceberry trees.
Queen Elizabeth II School – $3,500 for the re-foresting of the Junior Area in the school yard for shade and various learning opportunities.
Kiddies Korner Co-op – $5,500 for planter boxes, trees and shrubs in their backyard area.
Based on the applications, the Committee with support from Waste Management has decided that $5,000 will be transferred to the 2027 Program to bring the available funds up to $20,000 for one year.
Previous Successful Applicants:
2025
Margaret Stokes IODE – Moncrief Park & Jubilee Trail Revitalization – $5,000
Petrolia & Enniskillen Agricultural Society – Fairgrounds Lighting Upgrades – $4,000
Petrolia Discovery Foundation – North Perimeter Hedgerow – $6,000
2024
Petrolia 150 – Indigenous Friendship Garden – $3,000
Generations Daycare – Multi-Generational Nature Garden – $1,000
Petrolia Discovery – North Perimeter Hedgerow – $3,000
Petrolia 150 Bandshell – LED Lighting, Low-Flow Washroom Fixtures, Motion Lighting – $7,000
Kiwanis Club of Petrolia and Area – Expansion of Pre School Gardening Project – $1,000
2023
Lambton Central Petrolia Optimist Club – $3,000
Petrolia & Area Kiwanis Club – $4,000
Queen Elizabeth II School – $5,000
St. Philip Catholic School – $3,000
2022
Hillcrest Public School (School Council) – $5,000
The Rotary Club of Petrolia – $5,000
Petrolia Heritage Advisory Committee – Special North Street Cemetery Project – $2,500
IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter – $2,500
2021
The Petrolia Discovery Foundation Inc. – approved for – $10,000
The Petrolia and Area Kiwanis Club – approved for – $5000
2020
Parents For-Parks – approved for – $15,000
St. Clair Conservation Authority – approved for – $10,000
The Petrolia and Enniskillen Agricultural Society– approved for – $5,000
(2020 was a double intake year)