Randy Dryburgh, local educational co-ordinator for the Reduce the Juice Project, announced Monday that the foundation has been awarded a $150,000 Trillium Foundation grant over two years, which will allow it to continue its conservation work in Dufferin and expand it to Guelph and Kitchener- Waterloo.

"This funding is great news," said Mr. Dryburgh. "It recognizes that by building renewable energy systems in their schools and helping their communities save energy, young people can help create a better future starting where they live."

Since 2004, Reduce the Juice (RTJ) has worked with students and teachers in Dufferin's three high schools to build solar and wind systems to generate electricity. During the summers, students have been employed to go door-to-door in their communities to encourage homeowners to reduce their electricity consumption.

"This grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation means that we can do more work in Orangeville and other communities to build energy leadership among youth," said Mr. Dryburgh. "And to leave a legacy of energy conservation and renewable energy opportunities in these communities for the future."

Last year, a RTJ team of 12 high school and three university students challenged Orangeville residents to reduce their electricity use despite the summer heat. The students used every opportunity to spread the conservation message, from community events such as the Farmers' Market on the weekends to homeowners' doorsteps during the week.

"It was the perfect summer job," said Sara Wicks, RTJ team leader now studying at the University of Guelph. "We had the chance to talk about important environmental issues, like global warming, and to show people that right at home, through conservation, they can be part of the solution to such problems."

Through support from the Ontario Conservation Bureau, Environment Canada and Orangeville Hydro, RTJ was able to raise the funds necessary to employ the students.

The funding also allowed the group to build a Renewable Energy Trailer with students and teachers at Orangeville District Secondary School.

The trailer served as a mobile platform to show how a solar panels small wind turbine could be installed in a home.

Orangeville Hydro and Reduce the Juice will be cooperating on another conservation project this summer. They plan to work with Orangeville retailers to help them reduce their electricity bills.

Phoebe Lusk, using her experience as an RTJ Team Leader last summer, is already at work on the project. "When we show business owners that they can save money and also enhance their image among consumers I think they will see conservation as an opportunity they won't want to miss," she said.

The Trillium Foundation grant will also be used to hire full-time staff and create RTJ projects in co-operation with community organizations and schools in Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo. Outreach in both communities will begin this summer.

"More and more schools and communities are realizing that the solutions to our energy problems, including climate change, must begin locally and must include young people," said Mr. Dryburgh. "That's the Reduce the Juice approach so we anticipate lots of cooperation and support as we expand to other communities."

The Reduce the Juice Project is a non-profit foundation dedicated to empowering youth to develop leadership on climate change and energy issues.

RTJ first received province-wide recognition in the summer of 2005 after achieving two Ontario milestones, building the first school-based wind and solar energy generator on the roof of Centre Dufferin District High School under the guidance of RTJ volunteers, and organizing a residential energy conservation program which was delivered by an RTJ team of young people and which achieved a reduction of Shelburne's electricity consumption by over five per cent. Peter Love, Ontario's Chief Energy Conservation Officer, awarded RTJ Certificates of Recognition for outstanding conservation efforts for both projects.

In 2006, RTJ worked with students and teachers in high schools Orangeville to build solar and wind systems to generate electricity. During the summer, students were employed to go door-to-door in their communities to encourage homeowners to reduce their electricity consumption.

For more information see www.reducethejuice.ca or contact Mr. Dryburgh at 519-323-1074.