Duke Energy powers the vitality of natural resources in North Carolina through $800,000 in grants

-- 22 organizations across North Carolina receive grants to enhance habitat, protect species, improve water quality and expand public access

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Duke Energy

Oct 03, 2019, 10:01 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Duke Energy announced $807,000 in grant funding from the Duke Energy Foundation to 22 organizations to strengthen the health of our environment and increase access to nature in North Carolina.

"North Carolina's natural resources are a state treasure, and by collaborating with our trusted nonprofit partners we can accomplish more to protect and preserve species, habitats and water sources," said Stephen De May, NC president, Duke Energy. "We're working to ensure that future generations enjoy and benefit from all that North Carolina's natural wonders have to offer."

The Nature Conservancy was awarded a $100,000 grant for a project to research best practices for designing solar farms that are hospitable to native habitat and wildlife.

"Solar energy is crucial to reducing carbon emissions, but solar installations can also benefit nature in other ways by being wildlife and pollinator friendly. This research will give us the data to determine how to maximize these benefits," said Katherine Skinner, executive director, Nature Conservancy in North Carolina.

The outcome of the Nature Conservancy project will be a white paper to share findings with the renewable energy community so solar developers can implement proven, best practices.

In Southeast Raleigh, The Conservation Fund was awarded $60,000 for a project that will connect two disenfranchised neighborhoods to Walnut Creek Wetland Park as part of a community-wide effort to improve access to natural resources in Southeast Raleigh.

"The Conservation Fund greatly appreciates this grant from the Duke Energy Foundation for our Parks with Purpose project in Southeast Raleigh," said Bill Holman, executive director, The Conservation Fund. "This grant will help us and our many partners connect the Walnut Creek Wetland Park to the Rochester Heights and Biltmore Hills neighborhoods across Walnut Creek, remove invasive species in the park, restore wetland habitat and support development of a new park entrance on Bailey Drive."

Powerful Communities: Nature Grant Recipients

Organization	Description	Grant Award	Region Served
Asheville GreenWorks	Protect and promote the urban forest in Asheville through education and outreach	$50,000	Buncombe Co.
Burke County Public Schools	Restore the Enola Trail Wetlands Area to eliminate erosion and treat runoff	$40,000	Burke Co.
Catawba Lands Conservancy	Expand pollinator habitat through 10 acres of electric utility corridors	$16,000	Gaston Co., Lincoln Co., Mecklenburg Co.
Conservation Legacy	Engage young people in hands-on conservation work and leadership development through the Conservation Corps North Carolina	$50,000	Statewide
Conservation Trust for North Carolina	Support a collaborative, pilot project to create a community-driven plan that limits impacts of repeated flooding	$40,000	Eastern NC
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association	Reduce stormwater runoff, sediment and pollutants from entering South Ellerbe Creek along the East Coast Greenway	$30,000	Durham Co.
Friends of the Durham Public Schools Hub Farm	Improve stormwater management and habitat conservation by transforming a defunct irrigation pond into a thriving wetland	$20,000	Durham Co.
Friends of the Wallace Parks	Develop a master plan for Boney Mill Pond Park focused on conservation and community access	$26,000	Duplin Co., Pender Co.
Macon County Schools	Restore Porter's Creek Stream to decrease storm water runoff, improve habitant and provide student research opportunities	$25,000	Macon Co.
Mount Holly Community Development Foundation	Expand the Mount Holly Greenway System through additional amenities for public enjoyment	$15,000	Gaston Co.
Nature Conservancy	Partner to research best practices for designing solar farms that support habitat and wildlife	$100,000	Statewide
North Carolina Coastal Land Trust	Restore the Atlantic White Cedar and Longleaf Pine in our coastal forests	$25,000	Eastern NC
North Carolina Urban Forest Council	Plant trees as part of storm recovery in NC coastal communities	$45,000	Eastern NC
North Carolina Wildlife Federation	Build coastal resilience through community conservation chapters in eastern North Carolina	$50,000	Eastern NC
Piedmont Triad Regional Development Corporation	Develop the Piedmont Triad Blueways and Piedmont Triad Outdoor Recreation Guide to highlight natural resources	$20,000	Piedmont-Triad
Rutherford County Tourism	Expand access to the Broad River Paddle Trail through an additional access point and paddler amenities	$25,000	Rutherford Co.
The Conservation Fund	Build a park with purpose in Southeast Raleigh: Connecting Walnut Creek Wetland Park to neighborhoods south of the creek	$60,000	Wake Co.
Town of Black Mountain	Stabilize the banks of the Swannanoa River, provide ADA access and educational opportunities	$50,000	Buncombe Co.
Town of Chapel Hill	Celebrate the Chapel Hill's 200th birthday by planting 200 trees to reduce carbon emissions in underserved neighborhoods	$20,000	Orange Co.
Town of Grifton	Reclaim vacant lots acquired through FEMA as wetlands to mitigate flooding, reduce maintenance, provide public access	$50,000	Lenoir Co., Pitt Co.
TreesCharlotte	Distribute 800 trees to Charlotte residents to improve air quality and expand the tree canopy	$25,000	Mecklenburg Co.
Triangle Land Conservancy	Increase the diversity of native species at the Sarah and Bailey Williamson Preserve at Walnut Hill and prepare for the grand opening	$25,000	Wake Co.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of communities where its 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 (NYSE: DUK) shareholder dollars.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

A Fortune 150 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2019 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2019 "America's Best Employers" list

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