Kosciusko Soil & Water, The Watershed Foundation Receive IAW Grants
Posted
Staff Report-
GREENWOOD – Indiana American Water on Monday announced that it is awarding a total of $10,000 to six organizations across the state as part of its 2022 Environmental Grant Program.
Winners include the City of Richmond, the Falls of the Ohio Foundation, Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, Red Tail Conservancy District, The Watershed Foundation and Shelbyville High School Earth Club, according to a news release from IAW.
Established in 2005, the company’s Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or ground water supplies in communities served by Indiana American Water.
“Indiana American Water is dedicated to preserving our most precious resource,” said Indiana American Water President Matt Prine. “We appreciate the dedication and focus these organizations all have to protecting and enhancing our local waterways. Our water resources are an important part of our daily lives and the quality of life in each of the communities we serve, and we’re pleased to help support the work these six organizations are doing around the state to make a difference.”
The local 2021 Indiana American Water Environmental Grant Program winners are:
* Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation District — Awarded $3,600.
Paddling to Water Conservation Event — Funds will be used to replace an older raft for this program, which involves a memorable educational rafting experiences on Grassy Creek and two local lakes for students to learn about the connection between ground water and surface water, land and water, as well as connections between all components within a watershed.
Indiana American Water funded the startup of this program in 2008. The program, which reaches about 500 students each year, teaches students about water quality, conducting water tests, wetlands, point and non-point source pollution and water conservation, the release states.
* The Watershed Foundation – Awarded $1,100.
Deeds Creek Dam Removal & Habitat Restoration — This grant will be used to help fund removal of a low-head dam on Deeds Creek and restore habitat in the area surrounding the dam.
Deeds Creek is the largest tributary and source of sediment and nutrients draining to Pike Lake, which is located within the city limits of Warsaw. The lake has been classified as hypereutrophic (extremely rich in nutrients and minerals) by the Indiana Clean Lakes Program and is heavily utilized by residents and visitors.
The project will improve safety for water recreation activities and water quality in the lake and will also address streambank erosion, loss of habitat and most importantly, the blocking of fish passage upstream and downstream of this site.
