American Water Awards Environmental Grants
(photo courtesy of American Water)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowNew Jersey-based American Water (NYSE: AWK) has unveiled the recipients of the company’s 2020 Environmental Grant Program awards. The company says the grants, which total more than $140,000, will support 42 community projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds throughout Indiana and American Water’s service areas.
The grant recipients are located throughout 10 states including in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
“American Water’s commitment to providing our customers with clean, safe, reliable water service also means that we share a commitment to protecting our environment,” said Cheryl Norton, chief environmental officer of American Water. “The environmental grant program connects us with our environmental heroes and their innovative projects to improve watersheds, parks, prairies and environmental education. We applaud this year’s recipients for their continued commitment to protecting the environment.”
The grant recipients each received $2,000. The list of winners from Indiana is below:
- City of Gary – Clean Water Accessibility for Green Infrastructure Maintenance: the city of Gary, in partnership with the Gary Youth Services Bureau and the Student Conservation Association, will use the funds to increase watershed protection in the Lake Michigan watershed by developing a green infrastructure maintenance plan for the city’s urban conservation team as well as community growers and farmers.
- City of West Lafayette – Wiggins Street Native Tree, Shrub & Grass Planting Project: the city of West Lafayette, in partnership with the West Lafayette Tree Friends and the Tippecanoe Invasive Cooperative Taskforce, is planning to use the funding to remove invasive shrubs along Wiggins Street near the Purdue University campus and install native trees, shrubs and grasses.
- Friends of Marquette Park – Respect and Protect Lake Michigan Project: the Friends of Marquette Park, in partnership with several other local groups, will use funding to create educational materials, programs and displays on protecting Lake Michigan and the Marquette Park beach and surrounding shorelines by practicing safe and contaminant-free recreation.
- Friends of Sugar Creek in Montgomery County – Adopt-a-Storm-Drain Program: the Friends of Sugar Creek in Montgomery County will use the funds to develop, operate and engage local residents to pledge 15 minutes a month to ensure a cleaner watershed and a healthier Sugar Creek through its Adopt-a-Storm-Drain program.
- Indiana Conservation Partnership – Expansion of the Pathway to Water Quality Exhibit: the Indiana Conservation Partnership, in partnership with several other groups and agencies, will use funding to expand the Pathway to Water Quality exhibit at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
American Water says its grant program, which was started in 2005, offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that support watersheds, surface water and groundwater supplies in the communities it serves.