Ontarians have been given the opportunity to make a real difference in the future of the natural environment.

Ontario Nature (ON), a non-profit organization that works to protect and restore natural habitats through research, education and conservation, will have donation boxes placed at checkout counters at LCBO stores across the province. The proceeds that are collected will go toward protecting and preserving habitat and species as well as to help initiate community conservation programs in Ontario.

For over 75 years, ON has led in the field of conservation and nature preservation, helped support individuals, groups and scholars involved in science-based research and has also provided educational resources to young naturalists and community nature groups.

“When the opportunity to work with the LCBO occurred, we quickly got on board,” said Caroline Schultz, executive director of ON. “They are uniquely positioned to engage a variety of people and focus attention on issues we feel are of extreme importance to Ontarians.

LCBO chair Philip Olsson indicated that the LCBO is happy to be on board supporting the ON.

“LCBO’s customers have always responded generously to worthy causes and we thank them for providing a positive change in so many people’s lives,” Olsson stated.

Ontario Nature is one of 26 provincial charitable organizations that will benefit from the LCBO’s province-wide donation box program in 2008. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are raised each year through the program. In addition, LCBO’s annual dividend transfer to the Ontario government, which totalled $1.275 billion in fiscal 2006/07, supports a wide range of important government programs, services and priorities, including health care and education.