The Duke Energy Foundation recently awarded nearly $300,000 in grants to twelve South Carolina organizations that will fund environmental restoration projects, wildlife conservation efforts and environmental educational programs across the state.
“These grants aid in the protection of the environment and provide communities with much-needed resources to promote good stewardship of the natural beauty around us,” said Michael Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “By supporting the organizations that do this great work, we can help protect, restore and enhance natural resources, and provide valuable educational opportunities to nature lovers of all ages.”
Photo courtesy of Duke Energy Foundation.
The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina received a grant to help the group’s outreach and education efforts on the critical need for long-term forest management activities.
“We’ve worked with partners like the Duke Energy Foundation for decades to care for our Upstate forests,” says Mark Robertson, executive director for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina. “Our new Forest Restoration Outreach Project will bring both public agencies and private landowners together to learn about the importance of managing timber effectively, restoring native species and preparing for wildfires.”
Trees SC received funding that will support a program in Florence County that provides participants with a tree and educational material on proper planting techniques that will ensure the highest energy savings.
“Our partnership with Duke Energy on the Energy Saving Trees program has been the perfect balance of resource sharing,” said Karen Hauck, executive director of Trees SC. “Trees SC provides the arboricultural knowledge and expertise while Duke Energy provides program participants with information on energy reduction and cost savings. Our inaugural year was a great success, and we greatly value our continuing partnership with Duke Energy.”
The foundation annually funds more than $2 million to nonprofit organizations in South Carolina.
Nature Grant Recipients:
- South Carolina Waterfowl Association. Help restore 20 acres of bottomland hardwood and provide an outdoor classroom for students to learn about wetland restoration: $19,500
- The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina. Support efforts to restore forest health to the Southern Blue Ridge forests in places that have been identified and prioritized for restoration practices through a science-based approach: $15,000
- Trees Coalition. Supports a project to restore natural green space that was lost to overgrown kudzu and other invasive species in Adams Park: $5,000
- Trees SC. Continue support of the Energy Saving Trees program, a tree giveaway program that promotes the energy saving benefits of trees: $20,625
- Trees Upstate: Continue support of the Energy Saving Trees program, a tree giveaway program that promotes the energy saving benefits of trees: $54,050.
- Beautiful Places Alliance. Create a new kayak launch for Lake Wateree State Park: $40,000.
- Chattooga River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Install four new informational kiosks at Burrell’s Ford Recreation Area educating visitors about the designated wilderness area and the importance of mitigating visitor impact: $7,500
- Francis Marion University Education Foundation. Develop a freshwater ecology laboratory, which will focus on freshwater quality and provide training opportunities for students: $50,000
- Greenville County Soil and Water. Support a seed library program that will educate residents on conservation topics such as sustainably growing food, flowers, and native plants: $8,000
- Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, Inc. Replace signage in the 12-acre inner city woodland preserve, promoting knowledge about the benefits of nature: $8,000
- Kalmia Gardens of Coker College. Support improving growing conditions for multiple native species and creating a teaching tool for students, homeowners and land managers: $18,950
- Roper Mountain Science Center. Support a biodiversity exhibit as part of the Environmental Science and Sustainability Center that allows visitors to electronically see how their actions impact the environment: $50,000
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. More information about the Duke Energy Foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation. The Duke Energy Foundation is solely funded by Duke Energy Corporation.
Photo of Blue Ridge Mountains by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay.