ADAM JACKSON/Ponoka News
After years of sponsorship, it is clear Encana is dedicated to the JJ Collett Natural Area.
For the fifth consecutive year, the natural gas company presented a monetary donation to the JJ Collett Natural Area in support of their education program for Grade 6 classes all around central Alberta.
This year, it was $6,000.
“It’s always important to be conscientious of the environment around us,” said Don Letwinetz, community relations officer at Encana. “Not only in the oilfields, but everywhere around us.”
“This is the largest natural area in central Alberta and it’s very important to us to be involved with the JJ Collett Natural Area.”
Letwinetz, along with community relations and community investment advisors Salwa El-Waghwry and Nicole Flood made the presentation of the donation.
The donation will be used specifically for the education program directed toward teaching youth about nature in Alberta..
“It’s for Grade 6 students across the school board and what we teach is entirely tailored to their curriculum,” said Jack Surbey, president of the JJ Collett Natural Area Society.
“Basically, most of the money they give us goes right into the education system that we have Encana dedicated to JJ Collett Natural Area set up,” said Surbey.
Encana has become a major sponsor for a smorgasbord of agencies and causes in Ponoka, including a donation of more than $500,000 to the newly constructed Ag Event Centre.
“The whole idea of the community donations is to give back to the communities that we operate in,” said Letwinetz. “It truly is a privilege.”
The initial relationship started between the two organizations five years ago, when the JJ Collett Natural Area Society approached Encana looking for sponsorship.
“Encana has really set the bar for a lot of other companies in the area, I can tell you that for sure,” said Surbey.