The Whistler Centre for Sustainability has made it to the finals of Grass Roots Grants, the newest program launched by Alpine Initiatives (AI).

AI is an organization that creates and supports sustainability projects around the world and through its grant program, it will help support a North American project.

Whistler faces off with five other communities, all from the States — Aspen, Gunnison County and Steamboat Spring in Colorado, Burlington, Vt. and Park City, Utah.

The centre’s executive director, Cheeying Ho, says they were asked to make a submission and she is excited they have made it this far.

“I think it’s great an organization is looking at mountain communities,” said Ho.

Three of the six finalists will receive $5,000 they can put towards their initiatives. If they win, Ho says they will use it to create a self-directed sustainability tour of Whistler.

There will be an interactive map that users can click on and read about the different sustainability projects. There will also be a podcast that can be downloaded onto a phone and take the user on a guided tour.

“I think our chances are pretty good,” Ho said.

Whistler has two different things going for it, she added. One, it is a popular community and two, its sustainability efforts are well known.

Members of the community are the ones that decide which project wins and can vote at Alpine Initiatives’ Facebook page until April 2 at midnight.