Organization Profile

USC Canada's Run for Biodiversity

Helping farmers in the global South grow more food for their families in ways that are kind to the environment and nurture biodiversity.

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What We Care About:

 

Environment

  • Climate Change
  • Conservation
  • Going Green
  • Sustainability
 

International Development

  • Economic Development
  • Poverty Relief
 
 

Skills and Expertise Needed:

  • Fundraising
  • Marketing & PR
 
 

About Us

USC Canada helps farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America grow more food for their families, in ways that are kind to the environment and that nurture biodiversity.

We were founded as the Unitarian Service Committee in 1945 by Dr Lotta Hitschmanova, one of Canada's most beloved humanitarian leaders: www.DrLotta.ca.

Why Run for Biodiversity?

On October 14, USC joins millions of people around the world in celebrating World Food Day. Biodiversity is all about food and farmers. It's the earth's life-support system, and nature's brilliant insurance policy against disaster. If something fails, there's a back-up plan: Biodiversity!

Much is at stake for us all, and in a real sense, USC is helping farmers plant the Seeds of our very Survival.

How To Get Involved With Us

We are looking for runners and walkers to join our Run for Biodiversity fall fundraising campaign, as part of the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon (Oct 7) or the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (Oct 14). NB: you don't have to do the full marathon! there are also half marathon, 8km and 5km races.

All donations will go to support USC's work in the Central American country of Honduras.

Our overall goal is to raise $15,000 to support the agricultural, biodiversity and environmental initiatives of our local partner, FIPAH, the Foundation for Participatory Research with Honduran Farmers.

FIPAH works with women, men and young farmers to organize community-based agricultural research teams (CIALs), to help diversify their seed supply and develop hardier plant varieties that grow well on their soils.

FIPAH supports these capable on-farm scientists in their plant breeding efforts to provide more food for their families; to enhance taste, market and nutritional value; and to develop traits critical to responding to climate change: e.g. resistance to drought and salinity, and wind and water absorption.

How can I join?

Please send an email to David Rain, R4B@usc-canada.org to receive detailed information.

•All R4B runners and walkers who commit to raising $100 will receive a specially-designed Run for Biodiversity T-shirt in appreciation for their fundraising efforts.
•As a special thank you, the top 10 R4B fundraisers will be registered for free!

Many thanks for joining us in this year's Run for Biodiversity, and please feel free let others know about this too. We're hoping this year's Run will have “legs”!

For more information, please visit: run4biodiversity.org.