The" Sustainable Development Project" was active in
Bathurst for the past three years , with funding assistance through
the NB Environmental Trust Fund . In the past they had an office,
two employees and capital costs covered by the Trust Fund, Supply
and Services, and Fisheries & Oceans. The project was
coordinated and overseen by the NB Government with our Chair being a
representative of the NB Government. Funding for the
"government project" ended March 31, 2000 as they had
finished their list of mandated action items. As a community , we
felt that the work was only beginning . We believe that there are
critical environmental/health issues facing our area and that
leadership in the field of Sustainable Development must continue. We
were then encouraged by the Province to become a non-profit
community based/led organization and to carry on with this important
work . Our community members assumed possession of the files ,our
public research center which had been set up at the library, the
minutes from the meetings during the three year project , its
studies , test results on water quality and other information .We
formed a non-profit , community organization called"
Sustainable Development, Bathurst". We meet on a monthly basis
and have elected a Board of Directors. Our meetings are open to the
general public and our financial report is published in the minutes
every month.
As a Community based and led organization is our hope, that
Sustainable Development, Bathurst, will now continue to be a
permanent fixture in this community . We make our contribution to
the environmental health of this region through increasing awareness
of the need to protect and monitor our watersheds , by encouraging
habitat conservation ,by providing educational information for our
youth , and by hosting public information meetings and sessions.
Through our public awareness campaigns and community projects we
hope to continue to assist private stakeholders with their concerns
, and to continue to encourage industry , the City , and
Municipalities to increase their participation in conservation ,
reduced emissions ,and expanded recycling programs . Partnering with
industry , city & municipal offices, various organizations , and
concerned citizens is critical to our work .
We have opened a small office in the municipal building on St.
Andrew Street, Bathurst, on the same floor as the Museum .We have
secured desks, chairs, and file cabinets. At the moment all work for
the organization is being done by volunteers , however we hope to
soon be able to hire a Community Development Coordinator on a full
time , permanent basis as well as Assistants for specific projects.
At the moment our small budget is coming from fundraising awareness
activities and a few donations. We have developed several projects
which we would like to complete in our community over the coming
months . Our projects for the coming year include an Emissions
Reduction Program, Development of a Rain Barrel Kiosks,
an Interpretive Walk for Peter's River Marsh and The Sustainable
Communities Initiative Project. Job
Postings . Our e-mail is :