The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded 20 grants totaling more than $250,000 to several Indiana organizations undertaking a wide range of environmental initiatives across the state, including projects to enhance Indiana parks, protect vulnerable habitats, support clean water, and expand outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.
Locally, Keep Noblesville Beautiful and the Westfield-Washington Education Development Foundation received grant funding.
Keep Noblesville Beautiful
$10,000 for pollinator garden and sculpture
The grant will support the installation of a kinetic butterfly sculpture and pollinator garden in a roundabout at 191st Street and Little Chicago Road in Noblesville. By utilizing this underserved green space, Keep Noblesville Beautiful seeks to not only beautify the community, but to promote the pollination of native plants and the important role they play in climate resiliency. The project also aims to remind pedestrians and drivers of their connection to nature.
Westfield-Washington Education Development Foundation
$15,000 for Shamrock Outdoor Learning Lab
The grant will support the Shamrock Outdoor Learning Lab, a green space that provides experiential learning opportunities for local schools, businesses and civic organizations to learn about water and soil conservation.
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Pinegar
“We’re pleased to partner with local nonprofits and organizations across our service territory to enhance the quality of life of our customers and communities,” Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “From planting trees to creating community gardens and nature trails, we hope to make a positive impact through meaningful and sustainable projects that make Indiana a desirable and vibrant place to live.”
Over the last five years, the Duke Energy Foundation has awarded more than 70 grants totaling nearly $1 million to organizations across Indiana for projects that support environmental stewardship.
This year, grants were awarded to 20 Indiana-based organizations to support conservation and educational programs in Boone, Clark, Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Monroe, Owen, Putnam, Ripley, Rush, Tippecanoe, Vigo and Wabash counties.