Duke Energy powers the vitality of natural resources in North Carolina through $800,000 in grants
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 Restore the Enola Trail Wetlands Area
Schools to eliminate erosion and treat
runoff $40,000
Burke Co.
---
Catawba Lands Expand pollinator habitat through 10
Conservancy 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 $50,000
Statewide
development through the Conservation
Corps North Carolina
---
Conservation Trust for Support a collaborative, pilot
project to create a community-
driven plan that limits $40,000
Eastern NC
impacts of repeated flooding
North Carolina
---
Ellerbe Creek Reduce stormwater runoff, sediment
and pollutants from entering South
Ellerbe $30,000
Durham Co.
Creek along the East Coast Greenway
Watershed Association
---
Friends of the Durham Improve stormwater management and
Public habitat conservation by transforming
a $20,000
Durham Co.
Schools Hub Farm defunct irrigation pond into a
thriving wetland
---
Friends of the Wallace Develop a master plan for Boney Mill
Parks Pond Park focused on conservation
and $26,000
Duplin Co.,
community access
Pender Co.
---
Macon County Schools Restore Porter's Creek Stream to
decrease storm water runoff, improve
habitant $25,000
Macon Co.
and provide student research
opportunities
---
Mount Holly Community Expand the Mount Holly Greenway
System through additional amenities
for $15,000
Gaston Co.
Development Foundation public enjoyment
---
Nature Conservancy Partner to research best practices
for designing solar farms that
support habitat $100,000
Statewide
and wildlife
---
North Carolina Coastal Restore the Atlantic White Cedar and
Longleaf Pine in our coastal forests $25,000
Eastern NC
Land Trust
---
North Carolina Urban Plant trees as part of storm recovery
in NC coastal communities $45,000
Eastern NC
Forest Council
---
North Carolina Build coastal resilience through
Wildlife community conservation chapters in
eastern $50,000
Eastern NC
Federation North Carolina
---
Piedmont Triad Develop the Piedmont Triad Blueways
Regional and Piedmont Triad Outdoor
Recreation $20,000
Piedmont-Triad
Development
Corporation Guide to highlight natural resources
---
Rutherford County Expand access to the Broad River
Tourism Paddle Trail through an additional
access point $25,000
Rutherford Co.
and paddler amenities
---
The Conservation Fund Build a park with purpose in
Southeast Raleigh: Connecting Walnut
Creek Wetland $60,000
Wake Co.
Park to neighborhoods south of the
creek
---
Town of Black Mountain Stabilize the banks of the Swannanoa
River, provide ADA access and
educational $50,000
Buncombe Co.
opportunities
---
Town of Chapel Hill Celebrate the Chapel Hill's 200th
birthday by planting 200 trees to
reduce carbon $20,000
Orange Co.
emissions in underserved
neighborhoods
---
Town of Grifton Reclaim vacant lots acquired through
FEMA as wetlands to mitigate
flooding, reduce $50,000
Lenoir Co., Pitt Co.
maintenance, provide public access
---
TreesCharlotte Distribute 800 trees to Charlotte
residents to improve air quality and
expand the $25,000
Mecklenburg Co.
tree canopy
---
Triangle Land Increase the diversity of native
Conservancy species at the Sarah and Bailey
Williamson $25,000
Wake Co.
Preserve at Walnut Hill and prepare
for the grand opening
---
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
More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact:
Meredith Archie
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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