ENTRY ISLAND, QC, April 1 /CNW Telbec/ - The Entry Island Future Committee is pleased to announce that the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement has awarded $14,150 in funding to support implementation of the Committee's plan entitled Creating Community-Based Facilities and Activities for Visitors on Entry Island. The project's objectives include marking the hiking trails and highlighting Entry Island's natural heritage.

Specifically, the Future Committee will develop a pamphlet to inform and greet visitors to the Island. It will also develop a signage system to better designate trails and guide visitors, while providing information about the Island's history and special features of its natural environment. The Future Committee also intends to host a learning activity for the children of Entry Island regarding the importance of respecting the local environment.

"The Entry Island Future Committee is extremely pleased with the support they have received from the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement and other partners. This project is certain to have a positive impact within the community," said Thelma Ann Feltmate, President of the Future Committee. "Entry Island has become a very popular tourist destination, welcoming thousands of visitors annually, and this project will help ensure that tourism activities are in harmony with the environment."

"The Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement decided to support this project because it aims to protect vulnerable ecosystems and reflects the community's desire to act as a steward for its environment," said Catherine Leconte, Executive Director of the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement.

The funding provided by the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement is accompanied by contributions of $2,000 from the Caisse Populaire des Rames as part of its Fonds d'aide au développement du milieu program; $2,024 from the Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire (MAMROT); $5,796 from Emploi-Québec, $500 from Groupe CTMA and $500 from Germain Chevarie, the MLA for Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

The project is also receiving in-kind support from the Magdalen Islands CEDEC, the Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders and the Municipalité des Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Their valuable support will make it possible to go ahead with this sustainable tourism development initiative.

The Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement supports organizations that take concrete initiatives to protect, restore and enhance natural habitats and educate target publics about local environmental issues. Between 2001 and 2009, the Foundation contributed nearly $9 million to 147 projects carried out in all administrative regions of Québec. To find out more about the Foundation's projects, mission, goals and operations, visit its Web site at www.hydroquebec.com/fondation-environnement.

For further information: Thelma Ann Feltmate, President, Entry Island Future Committee, (418) 986-5741, 102,117,116,117,114,101,99,111,109,109,105,116,116,101,101,64,104,111,116,109,97,105,108,46,99,111,109|102,117,116,117,114,101,99,111,109,109,105,116,116,101,101,64,104,111,116,109,97,105,108,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62|Courriel via www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com|||; Mathieu Larocque, Press Officer, Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement, (514) 289-2211, ext. 4854, 76,97,114,111,99,113,117,101,46,77,97,116,104,105,101,117,64,104,121,100,114,111,46,113,99,46,99,97|76,97,114,111,99,113,117,101,46,77,97,116,104,105,101,117,64,104,121,100,114,111,46,113,99,46,99,97,60,47,97,62|Courriel via www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com|||