Wilson Watershed Learning Project Scores Environmental Grant from Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water has announced that seven watershed-related projects across the commonwealth will receive financial support through the company’s 2016 Environmental Grant Program, including an outdoor classroom project at Wilson West Middle School. The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling nearly $35,000 for their community-based projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds.

A panel of judges selected the grant recipients from nearly 40 applications, which were evaluated on such criteria as environmental need, innovation, community engagement and sustainability.

Pennsylvania American Water officials today presented Berks Nature with a $10,000 grant, which will enable the organization to provide hands-on environmental education for students at Wilson West Middle School. The “Connecting Students to Water” project includes developing an outdoor classroom environment where students will learn about the watershed, drinking water supplies and stormwater issues while also conducting water testing and data collection.

In addition to Berks Nature, Pennsylvania American Water awarded its 2016 Environmental Grants to Armstrong Conservation District (Armstrong County), Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (Butler County), Lacawac Sanctuary (Wayne County), Lehman Sanctuary (Luzerne County), Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper (Union County), and Lawrence County Conservation District.

“Over the years since we launched the Environmental Grant Program, organizations have presented projects and initiatives that are inspiring and made a positive impact on our watersheds,” said Kathy L. Pape, president, Pennsylvania American Water. “We are very proud to support these programs and the people behind them – many of whom are teachers, volunteers and neighbors in our communities.”

Pennsylvania American Water is a subsidiary of American Water, which initiated the Environmental Grant Program in 2005 in Pennsylvania to support projects that protect or restore drinking water sources and surrounding watersheds. Since then, American Water has expanded the annual program to many of its state subsidiaries across the nation.

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. Marking its 130th anniversary this year, the company employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.