Toyota TogetherGreen, a conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society and Toyota, Wednesday announced new grants of more than $1.3 million to 70 innovative and diverse conservation projects nationwide, including two grants totalling $20,000 in Pennsylvania--

-- William Wood, of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area, will mobilize diverse groups of volunteers in order to take an aggressive approach to preventing usable building materials from being disposed of in the landfill. Fellowship Grant: $10,000.

-- Sierra Gladfelter , of the Schuylkill Headwaters Association, will create a week-long summer program about water conservation for 10 high school students from diverse communities within the Schuylkill River Watershed. Fellowship Grant: $10,000.

Audubon and Toyota founded Toyota TogetherGreen in 2008 to foster diversity, jumpstart innovation, and invest in conservation leaders. Now in its sixth year, Toyota TogetherGreen has invested $23.5 million in community-based conservation, engaging more than 420,000 people in 295 cities and all 50 states.

"Toyota TogetherGreen is demonstrating the power of investing in communities over the long term and underscores our commitment to supporting the next generation of environmental leaders," said Toyota Motor North America Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer Latondra Newton. "Our fellows and grantees are driving efforts to create healthier, stronger, greener neighborhoods by improving habitat and water quality and saving energy."

This year, Audubon and Toyota are awarding $953,000 in Toyota TogetherGreen Innovation Grants to 30 organizations. The awards will be used to develop innovative approaches to address pressing environmental problems and achieve large-scale, long-term conservation results.

Many of the projects are working with communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in the conservation movement, from religious groups to inner-city students to low-income communities.

In addition, 40 high-potential leaders will receive Toyota TogetherGreen Fellowships, which include $10,000 grants to create and lead projects that engage diverse communities in conservation. Toyota TogetherGreen Fellows also receive specialized training and the opportunity to become part of an alumni network of established conservation professionals.

"Because of Toyota's support, conservationists across the U.S. are incubating new approaches to creating healthier communities," said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold. "Toyota TogetherGreen has helped jumpstart great programs, leaders and ideas by providing funding, professional development and a support network to scale conservation work for even more significant results. They are environmental heroes and we're pleased to give them a chance to invent the future."

11/11/2013