Tony Wills, Canon New Zealand's managing director says anyone involved in work that impacts positively on New Zealand's environment should apply for the grant, with entries closing on August 31.
"We know that funding in this area can be limited and resources are often stretched. Canon recognises the importance of having quality equipment to record, document, process and store work, and this is where we hope the Canon Environmental Grant will help," he says.
The Canon Environmental Grant for 2006 went to Bushy Park Education Centre, a science based environmental education programme located in the Bushy Park Reserve sanctuary near Wanganui.
The Grant has equipped the Education Centre with digital still cameras, camcorders, fixed network cameras, binoculars and data projectors to observe habits and behaviours to better understand and ultimately protect the indigenous species within the sanctuary and control the pests lurking outside its perimeter.
"Winning the Canon Environmental Grant has meant visiting classes have been able to better capture and share their experiences which means they'll be better placed to educate the wider community about what can be done to sustain our indigenous species and ensure their survival into the future," says Bushy Park Education Centre spokesman Terry O'Connor. "It has also meant pupils can actively participate in investigations which will improve the control of the pest species."
In 2005 the Canon Environmental Grant was awarded to Antarctica New Zealand to facilitate an environmental impact monitoring programme aimed at minimising the 'footprint' of human activities in Antarctica.
Canon stresses environmental protection both in its daily operations and through support activities. From product design, to manufacturing, to sales, use, recycling and reuse, Canon works to conserve energy and resources, maximise product lifecycles and eliminate hazardous materials from its products and processes.
This includes operating the world's largest toner cartridge return programme, designing energy-efficient office equipment, removing 100 per cent of the lead from its photographic lenses, and encouraging employees to adopt environmentally sound work practices.
"The successful applicant will be pleased to know that not only will they have the latest equipment to help them operate more effectively, but that the equipment – like all Canon products – have been designed with the environment in mind," says Wills.
