PLAINFIELD – The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded 17 grants totaling $190,000 to programs that support a wide range of environmental initiatives across Indiana, including projects to support water quality, conservation, and habitat and forest restoration.
“Duke Energy is committed to responsible environmental stewardship and enhancing opportunities for outdoor recreation in the communities we serve,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with a number of local organizations that are doing meaningful work in our communities to promote environmental education and to preserve and restore Indiana’s land, water and habitats.”
Over the last five years, the Duke Energy Foundation has awarded 58 grants totaling $946,000 to organizations across Indiana for projects that support environmental responsibility. One of the recipients of a $20,000 grant is the Blue River Community Foundation in Shelby County, which is working to construct a linear park behind the historic Porter Center.
“Through the generosity of Duke Energy, we’re able to enhance and revitalize a portion of the Blue River Trail system behind the historic Porter Center by creating a rest area for trail users and a storybook trail for children. The park will be named after the flour mill that once stood at this site in the 1800s, Shelby Mills,” said Jennifer Jones, executive director of the Blue River Community Foundation. “This project will not only serve as a destination for community use and enjoyment, but also preserve and protect the natural resources in Shelbyville for future generations to enjoy.”
The following organizations were awarded 2021 grants:
- Conservation Law Center (Monroe County)
$10,000 for the Duke Energy “Grass Roots” Conservation Fellowship
- Sycamore Land Trust (Monroe County)
$10,000 for Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve Public Access Enhancement Project
- The Columbus Park Foundation (Bartholomew County)
$10,000 for 200 Trees for 200 Years
- Civil Town of Clarksville (Clark County)
$10,000 for Clarksville Tree Canopy Expansion
- River Heritage Conservancy (Clark County)
$10,000 for Origin Park Blueway Garden
- Attica Main Street (Fountain County)
$10,000 for Ravine Park, Bridges, and Trails Program
- Oakland City University (Gibson County)
$10,000 for Developing the Campus Community Garden
Oakland City University will use the funding to develop and support the Duke Energy Campus Community Garden.
- Conner Prairie Museum (Hamilton County)
$20,000 for Outdoor Nature Experience and Shoreline Stabilization
- Avon Education Foundation (Hendricks County)
$8,737 for Avon Outdoor Learning Center Garden Rebuild
- Parks Foundation of Hendricks City (Hendricks County)
$10,000 for Native Plant Rain Garden at Pecar Park
- Healthy Communities of Henry County (Henry County)
$15,000 for Honey Creek Trail Development
- Johnson County Public Library Foundation (Johnson County)
$10,000 for Clark Pleasant Branch Nature Trail and Community Garden
- Owen County Community Foundation (Owen County)
$10,000 for MYPath New Meadow Biodiversity Project
- Blue River Community Foundation (Shelby County)
$20,000 for Shelby Mills
- Wolf Park Inc. (Tippecanoe County)
$10,000 for Creating Conservation Champions
- Lost Creek Township (Vigo County)
$6,267 for Lost Creek Township Walking Trail Improvement Project
- Shepherds of Griffin Bike Park (Vigo County)
$10,000 for Griffin Bike Park Trail Safety Plan
