INDIANA— Duke Energy Foundation today announced it is awarding shareholder-funded grants to three conservation groups and local governments in Southern Indiana that are undertaking a wide range of environmental initiatives to enhance parks and greenways, help natural habitats thrive, and expand outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.
“Preserving Indiana’s natural resources – and the special places that bridge connections between Hoosiers and the environment – is at the heart of the work these organizations do every day,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “Duke Energy Indiana’s investment will advance their missions – giving them the tools and resources they need to help protect and expand what’s unique to our state and the communities we serve.”
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
Ducks Unlimited (Crawford, Dubois and Orange counties)
$30,000 to support conservation activities at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Patoka Lake
This grant will advance Ducks Unlimited’s conservation activities at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Patoka Lake. At Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, funds will expand public access to recreational opportunities and safeguard natural resources across more than 100 acres of land. Further upstream, the funds will assess wetland conditions and habitat management challenges surrounding Patoka Lake in Crawford, Dubois, and Orange counties.
Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District (Daviess, Martin, and Orange counties)
$7,850 to support invasive shrub control and replacement program
This grant will support the Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District’s work to educate residents about invasive shrubs and invite them to remove and replace them with wildlife-friendly native plants. Residents who remove invasive shrubs—such as burning bush or Japanese barberry—will receive free native shrub replacements. The group will also offer site visits from an invasive species specialist and free invasive plant control kits to aid in removal efforts.
Radius Indiana (Clark and Washington counties)
$35,000 to support stormwater management along Monon South Trail
This grant will support Radius Indiana’s work to restore approximately 1,000 feet of ditch along the Monon South Trail. Crews will excavate and remove vegetation in the ditch to redirect the water flow into Muddy Fork Creek rather than overflowing onto the trail and State Highway 60. Additionally, the funds will be used to regrade a drainage ditch in downtown New Pekin.
For more information about Duke Energy Foundation, visit foundation.duke-energy.com.
