TORONTO, Sept. 9 /CNW/ - Students at a dozen university campuses across
Canada are motivating their peers to become more "friendly" and get involved
in local environmental initiatives. Known as TD Friends of the Environment
Foundation (TD FEF) "Campus Motivators," these students are part of a pilot
program designed to encourage youth to make their schools and local
communities more environmentally-friendly.
    "The goal of our new Campus Motivator program is to empower 12 students
who are passionate about the environment to facilitate positive change on
their campus," said Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the
Environment Foundation. "We've been preserving and protecting the environment
for 18 years and the student community plays an important role in our current
and long-term success."

    There are several ways to get involved with TD FEF. Students can:

    -   Get active and join the Environmental Network established by the
        Campus Motivator at their school. Each Environmental Network will
        provide direct avenues for students to make a difference on campus.

    -   Build a network of environmentally-conscious friends and peers and
        collaborate with other schools to implement new programs.

    -   Volunteer for the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, a national
        conservation initiative taking place in various locations across
        Canada from September 20-28, 2008. Last year more than 50,000
        volunteers helped clean 1,800 kilometres of shoreline, collecting
        nearly 90 tonnes of garbage. For more information on public drop-in
        locations visit www.vanaqua.org/cleanup.

    -   Donate to TD FEF for as little as $5 per month. One hundred per cent
        of each donation goes to funding environmental projects in the
        community where the donation was made. Each Campus Motivator will sit
        on the Advisory Board of the TD FEF Chapter in their area where they
        will share ideas from students about ways the community can improve
        its environmental impact.

    -   Participate in the $100,000 Go Green Challenge, a competition that
        invites student teams to submit an essay, containing an idea or
        proposal that has a positive environmental impact on a community.
        Students interested in more information can visit
        www.tdcanadatrust.com/gogreen.

    -   Check out TD Friends of the Environment Foundation on Facebook.

    "We launched our Campus Motivator program to provide students with
resources to make a positive impact on the environment, both on and off
campus," continued Desjardins. "Although we're a national organization, we
have a grassroots focus - and there's nothing better than working directly
with today's youth who have a real interest in protecting the environment in
their own backyard."
    "Many students want to contribute to making the environment a better
place, but don't have the means to begin," said Graham Carey, Campus
Motivator, Dalhousie University. "Through the Campus Motivator program, TD FEF
is helping to inspire students to make a difference. Motivation is infectious,
and I am confident that we will make a positive impact on the environment at
Dalhousie."
    The Campus Motivators will be at the following 12 schools: University of
Western Ontario, Concordia University, York University, University of Toronto,
McGill University, Dalhousie University, University of Manitoba, University of
Alberta, University of Saskatchewan, Queen's University, University of Guelph
and Wilfrid Laurier University. The pilot program will run until December
2008.

    About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:

    Since 1990, TD FEF has provided $45 million in funding to over 17,000
grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2007, FEF
provided $3 million in support of 830 projects. Thousands of TD customers and
employees donate to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group
contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management
costs of running TD FEF; this ensures 100 percent of every dollar donated goes
directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where
the donation was made. For more information please visit www.fef.ca.

For further information: Matthew Cram, TD Friends of the Environment
Foundation, (416) 983-1514, matthew.cram@td.com; Carolyn Abbass/Karen
McCullough, Paradigm Public Relations, (416) 203-2223,
cabbass@paradigmpr.ca/kmccullough@paradigmpr.ca