MillerCoors and River Network, a national non-profit group focused on improving the health of rivers and watersheds, have joined together again to award more than $50,000 in grants to support non-profit organizations leading local watershed enhancement projects across the country.
Six finalists were chosen. More than 20,000 votes were cast. We are now pleased to announce the winners!
2011 Grant Recipients
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1st Place, $30,000 Grant
North Carolina Big Sweep - Zebulon, NC
The organization will coordinate a statewide cleanup and implement a litter awareness campaign to help improve water quality in all 100 counties in North Carolina.
2nd Place, $10,000 Grant
Johnson Creek Watershed Council - Milwaukie, OR
The Council will restore six acres of riparian forest with native plantings and a trail overlooking the area. In addition, 16 newly- engineered log jams will provide cover for threatened salmon throughout a quarter-mile reach of Johnson Creek, where it flows into the Willamette River.
3rd Place, $5,000 Grant
River Revitalization Foundation - Milwaukee, WI
The organization will dedicate funds to reduce storm water run-off, improve habitats for wildlife and serve as the primary entrance for recreation in the Milwaukee river valley. Funds will also allow for the restoration of a major riparian habitat on a 2.8 acre riverfront parcel.
Remaining $3,000 Grants
Friends of the Chicago River - Chicago, IL
The group will form a new program, Chicago River Eco-Warriors (CREW), to increase the number of river volunteers, expand the efforts of those already engaged and provide a forum for advancement. Volunteer participation will also be tracked across all of the organization’s programs and activities, and reward volunteers as they acquire hours and become “multipliers” of the mission.
West Atlanta Watershed Alliance - Atlanta, GA
This group will educate and engage low-to-moderate income West Atlanta residents in water efficiency and conservation. The goal is to help residents realize needed savings for their households and learn about residential rainwater capture, conservation, green infrastructure, stream monitoring, cleanups and stream bank stabilization.
Savannah Riverkeeper, Inc - Augusta, GA
The group will restore 15-acres in the riparian zone of the Savannah River in downtown Augusta. The goal is to remove debris and rehabilitate the shoreline of abandoned car parts along the river. The area will be converted to a nature education center and international disc golf course.
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Learn more about the competition
watch our video on the Mother Nature Network
Our 2010 Winners
$25,000 Grant Recipient
Thornapple River Watershed Council; Caledonia, MI
The project installed riparian buffers and sediment and nutrient control structures along a designated trout stream in the Thornapple River Watershed and also served as an education-demonstration site for best practices.
$15,000 Grant Recipient
Dan River Basin Association; Eden, NC
To improve the quality of the Dan River, the project enhanced streamside buffers, promoted the Purple Sweet Potato as a less chemical-intensive replacement for the traditional tobacco crop, monitored bacteria levels and assisted in locally-based efforts to identify opportunities to conserve riparian land.
$5,000 Grant Recipient
Butler Soil and Water Conservation District; Hamilton, Ohio
To preserve the quality of the Great Miami River, the project treated storm water infiltrating the ground and served as an awareness and educational model to the local high school, community and region.
How will you help conserve water?