Water and water ecosystems are increasingly recognized as natural resources needing protection and wise stewardship. At Petro-Canada, we believe we have a part to play in doing what we can to be a positive contributor to sustainable practices and encouraging others toward innovative solutions and habits. To that end, our partnerships are directed toward action-oriented projects and programs that generate long-term results on projects and issues related to water and water ecosystems.

In 2009, with an investment of nearly $2 million, Petro-Canada is launching three new water partnerships created jointly with Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, and Alberta Ecotrust Foundation. These programs have been developed to cover the age spectrum of individuals who can make a positive difference toward healthy water ecosystems for the future.

• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), AB - Petro-Canada worked with CPAWS to create and fund the “Water Rangers Program” for Grade 4 to 6 students. This program will teach students the importance of our local watersheds and the effect of their actions on these resources.  Read more about this initiative at CPAWS.
• Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST), AB — CAWST and Petro-Canada worked together to create and fund the “Wavemakers Program”. This program informs, engages and encourages action among a wide age range of youth, and celebrates the positive impact they are having on water issues, both locally and globally.  Read more about this initiative at CAWST.
• Alberta Ecotrust Foundation “Watershed Protectors Program”, AB —  Helping to strengthen the knowledge, networks and potential of urban and rural watershed stewards is at the core of a new collaboration between Petro-Canada and Alberta Ecotrust.  Read more about this initiative at Alberta Ecotrust Foundation.

Other current partnerships:

• Fluvarium, St. John’s, NL — Petro-Canada has provided more than $650,000, to The Quidi Vidi/Rennie's River Development Foundation to promote responsible water stewardship through The Petro-Canada Fluvarium, a public centre for environmental education. The Petro-Canada Fluvarium delivers an environmental education program to more than 10,000 schoolchildren annually and Petro-Canada is currently helping to refurbish and upgrade the educational displays and interactive communications tools in the building.
• Petro-Canada Zoo School, Edmonton, AB — To date, more than $980,000 has been donated to the City of Edmonton to make educational programming at the Edmonton Valley Zoo available to area children.