The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Berkshire Hathaway Energy recently awarded 20 grants, totaling $41,000, to 20 different local environmental organizations in 13 counties across Pennsylvania as part of their 2022 Watershed Mini Grant Program.

For years, financial support for the Watershed Mini Grant Program was provided through the generosity of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, which awarded a total of $433,475 to 130 organizations between 2005 to 2019.

The company that bought Dominion Energy’s interstate natural gas and storage business in 2021, BHE GT&S, is continuing the 17-year philanthropic legacy of supporting local watersheds through this grant program.

The grant program aids the region’s watershed groups with awards that cover program expenses in three areas: water quality monitoring, watershed restoration, and organizational promotion and outreach.

This spring, grants were awarded to the following organizations--

-- Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania

-- Aultman Watershed Association for Restoring the Environment

-- Big Sewickley Creek Watershed Association

-- Blacklick Creek Watershed Association

-- Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited

-- Clearfield County Senior Environment Corps

-- Conemaugh Valley Conservancy

-- Cook Forest Conservancy

-- Creek Connections at Allegheny College

-- Evergreen Conservancy

-- French Creek Valley Conservancy

-- Genesee Headwaters Watershed Association

-- Independence Conservancy

-- Loyalhanna Watershed Association

-- Seneca Chapter of Trout Unlimited

-- Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

-- Tubmill Trout Club Unlimited

-- Turtle Creek Watershed Association

-- Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed Association

-- Westmoreland Historical Society

Don Houser, director for external affairs for BHE GT&S’ northeast region, says he is pleased to continue the philanthropic efforts that help improve local rivers and streams.

“It’s an absolute privilege to support these organizations as they complete meaningful conservation work in our communities. BHE GT&S has been inspired by the commitment showcased by the mini-grant recipients and congratulate this year’s organizations for their outstanding work and commitment to water quality,” he adds.

Jenifer Christman, vice president of watershed conservation for WPC, says this funding source is vital to local communities.

 “The Conservancy thanks the BHE GT&S for continuing this commitment to assist small local watershed organizations in our region with projects to directly benefit and improve water quality in their communities,” she says. “Many of these projects, which are making a difference, just wouldn’t happen if not for this funding.”

The Conservancy and BHE GT&S will begin accepting applications for the 2023 Watershed Mini Grant Program this fall.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

The Conservancy has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 250,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, maintains 132 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 11,000 volunteers and the support of more than 9,000 members.

Related Article:

-- Western PA Conservancy: Water, Land, Life Newsletter Update

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-- Tell Your Legislator NOW To Set Aside $500 Million From Federal American Rescue Funds To Support Local Environmental, State Park & Forest Projects

[Posted: June 1, 2022]

6/6/2022