Duke Energy Invests More Than $200,000 in Projects That Help Preserve and Enhance Southwest Ohio's and Northern Kentucky's Natural Resources

CINCINNATI, November 6, 2020 /3BL Meda/ – The Duke Energy Foundation recently awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 18 Ohio and Northern Kentucky recipients that will fund environmental projects, wildlife conservation efforts and environmental educational programs in the region.

“These grants provide much-needed support to programs and organizations that are protecting the natural resources that our communities depend on,” said Amy Spiller, president, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. “We value our community partners knowing that our contribution is helping ensure these treasures will be enjoyed for many years to come.”

One recipient, the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is receiving a grant for $30,000 to be used to retrofit an existing off-channel wetland to provide water quality treatment and fish and wildlife habitat along the East Fork Little Miami River.

“We are grateful for the support of Duke Energy to protect and restore wetlands as a means to realize healthy watersheds,” said John McManus, district administrator for Clermont SWCD. “With Duke Energy’s partnership, generosity and genuine desire to make a positive impact on conservation in Ohio, we can bring about sustainable change for future generations.”

Ohio grant recipients, programs, awards

Deerfield Township – Restoration of habitat at Kingswood Park, $5,000

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio – Create conservation station at Camp Whip Poor Will, $10,000

Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District – Support urban reforestation initiative at Cooper Creek, $27,249

MetroParks of Butler County – Wetland habitat restoration project at Elk Creek Metro Park, $5,000

Mill Creek Alliance – Training and experience for Blue Team members to assist in future job placement, $10,000

Ohio River Foundation – Interactive website development to assist work on invasive species and removal work at area parks, $5,000

Stepping Stones – Create accessible camping and nature garden at Lake Allyn in Batavia Township for individuals with developmental disabilities, $25,000

Boy Scouts of America (Dan Beard Council) – Support ecology and conservation programs for learning purposes, $5,000

Cincinnati Park Foundation – Remove invasive botanical species from Cincinnati neighborhood parks, $15,000

City of Fairfield – Reforestation project in area, $5,000

City of Monroe – Install rain garden to help control damaging stormwater runoff onto properties adjacent to the park, $5,000

Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati – Training for Treeforestation Ambassadors, $5,000

Clermont SWCD – Retrofit wetland to provide water quality treatment at East Fork Little Miami River, $30,000

Taking Root – Provide 240 trees for residents to plant as part of the Energy Saving Trees Program, $5,000

Great Parks Forever – Finalizing the design of the Sharon Lake Improvement Project,  $20,000

Kentucky grant recipients, programs, awards

Boone County Conservation District – Forest Health Assessment Project, $5,000

Boone County Fiscal Court – Program to improve awareness  about natural resources in the fast-growing community, $10,000

Thomas More University – Support Ohio River Biology Field Station for water quality studies, $10,000

The Duke Energy Foundation has provided $2 million in grants to local communities in Ohio and Kentucky in 2020.

Duke Energy
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the Foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to about 860,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to approximately 538,000 customers.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Media contact:
Sally Thelen
Email: sally.thelen@duke-energy.com
Office: 513.287.2432
Media line: 800.559.3853