Media Releases
Centre receives local funding to complete Gallery of Drifters
Posted on: October 29, 2010
October 29, 2010 SIDNEY, BC — The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is pleased to announce it has received an $8,000 grant from the local Victoria/Sidney TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) Chapter to complete scientific equipment upgrades to the popular ‘Gallery of Drifters’ educational station.
“The ‘Gallery of Drifters’ Discovery Lab is the first interactive station that visitors encounter when they come through our doors, and it is here that we demonstrate how the microscopic life forms of algae, zooplankton and phytoplankton become the basis of the fantastic food chain that supports all life – including us humans,” said Angus Mathews, Executive Director, Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre.
“Thanks to the continued support of our local TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Chapter, visitors will benefit from access from these new leading-edge scientific tools, which, in turn, will help keep visitors of all ages engaged and coming back for more.”
TD FEF funds will complete the exhibit, adding a large kreisel tank for special and changing exhibits, a dark field illuminator, an Aqua-Logic DS-10-WC chiller, and plankton nets.
“Our board is continually impressed with how the Marine Centre Society engaged with both local members of the community as well as the scientific community — creating a truly volunteer-driven, state-of-the art facility right here on Vancouver Island,” said Andrew Heaman, Victoria/Sidney TD FEF Chapter Coordinator.
This week’s donation announcement builds on the efforts a previous TD FEF grant. Last year, the local chapter contributed $10,000 to the Gallery of the Drifters Discovery Lab, equipping it with a video microscope, several kreisel tanks, video screen, and algae tubes.
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About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF):
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $53 million in funding to over 19,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.
About the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre:
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is an aquarium and marine education centre focused on the amazing ecosystem of the Salish Sea. The Centre operates as a not-for-profit community facility that is self supporting through admission fees, grants and donations. The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is governed, funded and owned by the New Marine Centre Society. Funds for the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre were raised through generous community support, and a major donation from Shaw Communications. The Centre is located in a spectacular waterfront building in Sidney, BC. For more information, visit www.oceandiscovery.ca.
For further information:
Robyn Waterman
Public Relations Manager
Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
pr@oceandiscovery.ca
250.665.7511
Aurora Bonin
Regional Manager, Western Canada
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
TD Bank Financial Group
aurora.bonin@td.com
604.654.8832
