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<P id=columnname><SPAN class=column>press release</SPAN> </P>
<P id=lastupdate>March 20, 2012, 8:16 a.m. EDT </P>
<H1>The W. Garfield Weston Foundation Supports Major Growth of Alternative Land
Use Services (ALUS)</H1>
<H2>Additional Grant of $1.46 Million Moves Conservation Program Into High Gear
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<P>WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Mar 20, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Delta
Waterfowl is pleased to announce a leading donation from The W. Garfield Weston
Foundation in support of the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program. With
the Foundation's gift of $1.46 million, Delta Waterfowl will create two centres
of operations, or hubs, to support the national expansion of the ALUS program.
</P>
<P>This is the second major grant from the Foundation in the past year, bringing
it's total commitment to ALUS to more than $3 million. </P>
<P>Developed more than ten years ago by Delta Waterfowl Foundation and
Manitoba's Keystone Agricultural Producers, ALUS is a community-led,
farmer-delivered initiative that promises to revolutionize conservation in this
country. The goal is to create a healthy, working landscape that simultaneously
sustains agriculture, wildlife and the protection of natural spaces. </P>
<P>Through ALUS, farmers receive payments for delivering a variety of
environmental services. Projects include enhanced and protected wetlands,
increased native grass cover, wildlife-friendly fencing, pollinator strips and
improved riparian areas. ALUS projects are currently established in Ontario,
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island. </P>
<P>"The Foundation is proud to continue its support of this very important
conservation initiative," said Eliza Mitchell, Director, The W. Garfield Weston
Foundation. "Farmers are playing a key role in preserving Canada's natural
legacy. They are having a great impact on local ecosystems by preserving habitat
for endangered species, improving water quality, and reducing soil erosion.
Their efforts are important to all Canadians." </P>
<P>The Foundation has supported the ALUS program for more than a decade. This
latest donation will support the expansion of ALUS to at least 8 new communities
in Ontario and western Canada. Challenge grants will act as a catalyst to
stimulate matching funds from other organizations. </P>
<P>"This is a sea change in conservation for this country," says Rob Olson,
president of Delta Waterfowl Foundation. "Communities all across the country are
lining up to be part of this initiative. There's unprecedented energy and
excitement." </P>
<P>Olson says the latest Weston funding will help establish ALUS as a viable
addition to conservation efforts across the country. </P>
<P>"Our hope is that the momentum from adding these new communities will grow
exponentially," says Olson. "This grant has the impact of allowing us to do 10
years of work in one year. We're very thankful The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
is giving us this chance to do it." </P>
<P>About The W. Garfield Weston Foundation </P>
<P>The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation,
established in the 1950's by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife Reta. In 1924
Garfield inherited his father's company and during his life established bakeries
and other successful enterprises throughout Canada and in many parts of the
world. Today, these businesses include the George Weston Limited and Loblaw
Companies Limited, companies in food retailing, processing and distribution. The
founders believed that as the funds are generated through the hard work and
success of these Canadian companies, grants should be given in Canada for the
benefit of Canadians. For three generations, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
has maintained a family tradition of supporting charitable organizations across
Canada. Today the Foundation directs the majority of its funds to projects in
the fields of land conservation, education, and science in Canada's North. </P>
<P>The W. Garfield Weston Foundation logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12108 </P>
<P>About The Delta Waterfowl Foundation </P>
<P>The Delta Waterfowl Foundation is one of North America's oldest conservation
organizations, tracing its' origins to the birth of the wildlife conservation
movement in 1911. The Foundation supports research, provides leadership and
offers science-based solutions to efficiently conserve waterfowl and secure the
future of waterfowl hunting. Delta Waterfowl currently operates out of offices
in Winnipeg, MB and Bismarck, ND. </P></DIV></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>