The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE GT&S) recently awarded 16 grants, totaling $23,000, to 16 different local environmental organizations in 8 counties across Pennsylvania as part of their 2024 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 philanthropic legacy of supporting local watersheds through this grant program.

Since 2005, the grant program has aided the region’s watershed groups with awards that cover program expenses in three areas: water quality monitoring, watershed restoration, and organizational promotion and outreach.

Grants were awarded to--

-- Allegheny CleanWays, Allegheny County, $975

-- Big Sewickley Creek Watershed Association, Allegheny County, $1,500

-- Blacklick Creek Watershed Association, Indiana County, $325

-- Clearfield Creek Watershed Association, Cambria County, $1,000

-- Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Cambria County, $500

-- Evergreen Conservancy- Indiana County, $1,000

-- Jacobs Creek Watershed Association, Westmoreland County, $2,000

-- Kiskiminetas Watershed Association, Westmoreland County, $1,500

-- Moshannon Creek Watershed Association, Centre County, $2,000

-- Murrysville Area Watershed Association, Westmoreland County, $2,000

-- Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, Tioga County, $2,000

-- Roaring Run Watershed Association, Armstrong County, $2,000

-- Sewickley Creek Watershed Association, Westmoreland County, $1,500

-- Sinnemahoning Watershed Association, Cameron County, $1,700

-- This Is My Quest, Inc., Tioga County, $2,000

-- Turtle Creek Watershed Association, Allegheny County, $1,000

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 congratulates 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.”

Fall Grant Round

The Conservancy and BHE GT&S will begin accepting applications for the 2025 Watershed Mini Grant Program in fall 2024.

For more information about the program, visit the BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grant Program webpage.

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 Articles This Week- Watersheds:

-- Western PA Conservancy Awards 16 BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grants In 8 Counties; Next Grant Round Opens This Fall  [PaEN]

-- Master Watershed Steward Katie Stanley Leverages Knowledge In Allegheny County  [PaEN]

-- Stroud Water Research Center Celebrates 75th Anniversary Of Dr. Ruth Patrick’s Study Of The Conestoga River With July 29 Educator Program, Aug. 1 Special Program By Dr. Bern Sweeney  [PaEN]

-- Faithful Green Leaders Training Being Offered For Congregation Green Teams In October By Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay  [PaEN]

-- USDA NRCS Invites Landowners To Take Survey On Why People Choose To Use Or Not Use Different Conservation Practices  [PaEN]

-- PASA Sustainable Agriculture Invites Applications To Working Lands Climate Corps, AmeriCorps Program  [PaEN]

-- PASA Sustainable Agriculture Hosts July 18 Maximizing Your Farm Operation With Silvopasture Pasture Walk In Lancaster County  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension July 16 Webinar On How To Plant A Tiny Forest In Your Neighborhood  [PaEN]

-- Pike, Wayne Conservation Districts, Trout Unlimited Partner On New Stream Keepers Youth Program Aug. 3  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Public News Service: Calls For More Funding In PA State Budget For Clean Water Initiatives

-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Grants For Projects In PA Come At An Opportune Time, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Says

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Karl Blankenship: Planting Of Streamside Forests Picked Up In 2023, But Loss Might Outpace Gain; PA Plants 268 Miles Of Buffers

-- Citizens Voice: Grant Will Help Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Examine Water Quality In Shickshinny

-- Morning AgClips: Monroe Conservation District Protecting Pocono Creek Homes Through Streambank Stabilization

-- StateCollege.com: PA Senior Environment Corps Volunteers Watch Over Centre County Waterways

-- The Nature Conservancy-PA July News: Philadelphia Heat Map; Freshwater Restoration; Black Bear Sightings In Long Pond Barrens Preserve

-- Brodhead Creek Watershed Holds River Ramble July 28 At ForeEvergreen Nature Preserve And Brodhead Creek Heritage Center In Monroe County

-- Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Blog: Conservation Funding Assists In Restoration At Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge In Monroe County - By Su Fanok, Director Of Freshwater Conservation, The Nature Conservancy-PA

-- The Allegheny Front: PA American Water To Spend $300,000 For Watershed Project For Polluting Lackawanna County Streams

-- Beaver County Times: Beaver County Children Enjoy Critter Hunt In Brush Creek

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Floating Classroom On Susquehanna At Williamsport Combines River Learning With Paddlewheel Charm

-- Franklin County Free Press: Buttonwood Nature Center’s Watershed Science Coordinator Update

-- Erie Times: EPA Research Vessel To Visit Presque Isle Bay With 3 PA Teachers

-- Erie Times: How Deep Are Lake Erie And Great Lakes?

-- Delaware RiverKeeper July 5 RiverWatch Video Report

-- Tribune-Democrat: Archpriest Blesses Little Conemaugh River, Continuing 45-Year Tradition

[Posted: July 2, 2024]

7/8/2024