Indiana American Water today announced that it is awarding a total of $12,000 to four organizations across the state as part of its 2021 Environmental Grant Program. Winners include the City of Kokomo, the Hamilton County Surveyors Office, the Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Indiana Humanities.
Established in 2005, the company’s Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or ground water supplies in communities served by Indiana American Water.
“More organizations than ever before responded to our call for entries this year as part of our Environmental Grant Program,” said Indiana American Water President Matt Prine. “We appreciate the dedication and focus these organizations all have to protecting and enhancing our local waterways. Our water resources are an important part of our daily lives and the quality of life in each of the communities we serve, and we’re pleased to help each of these organizations make a difference through their efforts and these projects.”
Each of the organizations selected will receive $3,000 for their environmental projects. The 2021 Indiana American Water Environmental Grant Program winners are:
City of Kokomo – awarded $3,000
Cloverleaf Trail Native Species Planting—The City of Kokomo is partnering with the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Association and the Howard County Soil and Water Conservation District to transform a section of abandoned railway between Dixon Road and Markland Avenue into a new community trail. The project area, which currently includes nonnative and invasive species, will be replanted with a mixture of pollinator-friendly native wildflowers, grasses, and trees. The plantings will create valuable habitat and food resources for birds, bees, butterflies, and other important pollinator species, enhance recreational opportunities for residents, and curtail illegal dumping and the detrimental impacts on water quality in Wildcat Creek.
Hamilton County Surveyor’s Office – awarded $3,000
William Krause Drain Native Vegetation Buffer—The Hamilton County Surveyor’s Office is partnering with the Town of Sheridan to establish a buffer of native vegetation and pollinator habitat along the west and north sides of the open ditch portion of the William Krause Regulated Drain. The project will replace areas currently planted with turf grass, reducing maintenance costs, mitigating the need for commercial herbicides, and enhancing water quality. The project will further enhance the significant investment already made by the Town of Sheridan to mitigate chronic flooding issues.
Clark County Soil & Water Conservation District – awarded $3,000
Callery Pear Removal & Invasives Education Project—The Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with the City of Charlestown and the Clark County Harmful lnvasives Removal Project (CCHIRP) group to replace Callery Pear trees located in the median of Charlestown’s main thoroughfare with native trees and plants. The trees were planted many years ago, and have matured to the point that they are exhibiting the weak wood and branch structure characteristic of the species. The new native plants will reduce stormwater runoff, the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and mowing. The project will also include a campaign to educate residents on the benefits of planting native species
Indiana Humanities – awarded $3,000
Museum on Main Street WaterWays Exhibit—Indiana Humanities is touring the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street traveling WaterWays exhibition to six sites in Indiana to provide a museum experience to small communities. The exhibition explores how water is an essential component of life on our planet and will include localized components. The goal of the exhibition is to encourage residents to consider the role that water plays in their lives and how they can have an impact on protecting our water resources. The exhibit will make stops in North Webster, Rolling Prairie, New Harmony, West Terre Haute, Madison, Centerville. Additional information is available online at the Indiana Humanities website at indianahumanities.org/programs/water-ways.
