Duke Energy Foundation's 'Powerful Communities' program awards over $235,000 for nature grants in Indiana

PROGRAM

GRANT

Art Spaces – Wabash Valley Outdoor Sculpture Collection Inc.

TURN TO THE RIVER Phase 1 of implementation will provide an accessible and meaningful link between Terre Haute's downtown and the Wabash River within a newly revitalized central city/county government plaza.

$10,000

Arts Council of Southern Indiana

This program will enhance the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana's Monarch butterfly sanctuary.

$5,000

Central Indiana Land Trust

Central Indiana Land Trust will expand trails in two of its most visited and beautiful nature preserves – Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow (Johnson County) and Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve (Morgan County).

$15,000

City of Franklin, Franklin Parks and Recreation

The Youngs Creek Mitigation and Restoration project will bring back the functionality of an area that has been lost to years of development and natural destruction.

$23,334

City of Noblesville

The city of Noblesville will restore native habitat for a central stretch of the White River's east bank in Noblesville, at the same time removing overgrowth of invasive species and opening the river both visually and physically to resident interaction.

$25,000

City of Sullivan

The Greenway project will plant trees, shrubs and flowers and place benches along the developing Greenway Trail System that connects Sullivan County Park and Lake, Sullivan High School and the Sullivan Public Library to downtown.

$20,000

Clay Community Parks

The project is to extend the Craig Municipal Park walking trail and add a bridge over the lake's dam overflow stream.

$5,000

Columbus Redevelopment Commission

The project will remove a low-head dam; ensure accessible pedestrian routes; provide safe and secure access to the river; provide ample access for emergency and public safety personnel for rapid response; and will be designed to reflect reasonable and responsible development of the riverfront.

$5,000

Decatur County Community Foundation

This project will create a memorial walking trail and include learning and STEAM stations. Funds will be used to purchase trees native to Indiana, as well as items for a weather and music station.

$25,000

Indiana University Foundation

Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) will launch the 2021 Resilience Cohort to bring together local government staff and partners to advance local capacity and produce greenhouse gas inventories for up to six communities in Duke Energy's Indiana service territory.

$10,000

Indiana Wildlife Federation Inc.

This grant will support the addition of a half-mile ADA-accessible interpretive nature trail loop that starts and ends at the new visitor center.

$10,000

Landmark Columbus Foundation

The project will create free public programs in early 2021 and purchase and plant at least 1,300 plants in Bartholomew County.

$3,500

NICHES Land Trust

NICHES will create an outdoor observation and interpretive area with seating for visitors overlooking the natural play area and woodlands at this preserve.

$15,000

Pennsy Trails of Hancock County Inc.

This grant will fund a foundation for wildlife by adding native local wildflower seeds, plants, shrubs and trees to establish a healthy habitat. The grant will also provide signs to educate others on wildlife habitat.

$8,060

ReThink

The program will improve the natural habitat and biodiversity by planting two pollinator gardens in a disadvantaged neighborhood.

$3,000

Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area

This program will help protect Indiana lands and water by coordinating efforts to identify, prevent and control problematic invasive species.

$10,000

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy will coordinate 15 "Weed Wrangles" across Indiana's public green spaces. Each event is a locally led volunteer event that will educate, engage and empower local citizens to combat invasive species and encourage planting native species.

$15,000

Town of Arcadia

The town of Arcadia will develop a new pocket park for its downtown district. It will feature native shrubs and flowers, a bench, a path of pervious pavers and a small picnic table for residents and visitors to enjoy.

$2,500