Cincinnati Nature Center receives $20,000 grant
By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
Duke Energy officials presented the 2014 Environmental Grant awards to recipients during a ceremony at Cincinnati Nature Center’s Rowe Woods in Union Township Dec. 4.
Thirteen Greater-Cincinnati organizations were presented various grants to help with their environmental initiatives in the community.
Award recipients included Boy Scouts of America, Children Inc., Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Nature Center, Cincinnati Park Foundation, Cincy Bike Share, Foundation for Ohio River Education, Green Umbrella, Groundwork Cincinnati-Mill Creek, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Miami University, Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities, and the Zoological Society of Cincinnati.
Grant amounts ranged from $6,500 to $50,000, and the total amount Duke awarded to the organizations was $256,500.
“We are here today to celebrate 13 organizations in our community that support a sustainable environment,” said Jim Henning, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. “All rally around a common goal of living more sustainably.”
Duke officials take their responsibility seriously when it comes to giving back and protecting the environment, according to Henning. He said he is proud that the company is awarding more than $250,000 to community organizations do good things.
“I believe these funds will serve as a catalyst,” Henning said.
Henning believes the organizations selected to receive grants will continue to do good work in the community.
Clermont County-based Cincinnati Nature Center received a $20,000 grant for their Grassland Restoration Project.
CNC Executive Director Bill Hopple accepted the award during the event, which was held at Krippendorf Lodge at Cincinnati Nature Center’s Union Township location.
The project includes restoring biodiversity on 75 acres of abandoned agriculture land by removing non-invasive species and planting native warm season grasses and native flowering plants that will attract pollinators, according to Duke.
“We are thrilled and honored you are here today,” Hopple said about the event. “Thank you so much.”
Hopple said the nature center is working on creating Monarch butterfly habitats at the nature center and in the community.
The grant funds will help engage the public with their efforts, including providing seed mixes to distribute to people in the community, Hopple said.
“The best way to help Monarchs is to increase the habitat,” Hopple said. “We are working on an educational program as well.”
Members of other community organizations also took time to thank Duke and explain what their organizations are working on.
Jason Barron, executive director of Cincy Bike Share, or Cincy Red Bike, said he is impressed that Duke Energy is more than just a company that sends an electric bill every month.
“Duke’s commitment is one of the assets of Cincinnati,” Barron said. “Thank you for that.”
For more information visit http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/2014120501.asp.