NC Beautiful Receives $40,000 Environmental Education Grant from The Duke Energy Foundation

Dec. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, NC – NC Beautiful has announced that the organization has received a $40,000 Windows of Opportunity Grant from The Duke Energy Foundation.  Windows of Opportunity Grants were created to cultivate an appreciation of natural environments by helping K-12 children get out of school and into natural settings.  The grants also build leadership awareness, develop environmental educational mentors and ambassadors, create materials and resources that can be used by other students, and develop a sustainable outdoor program.

The Duke Energy Foundation improves the quality of life in the communities it serves through volunteer efforts, expertise through leadership, and financial support through grants to charitable organizations.  At the core of The Duke Energy Foundation is its commitment to the community, with a focus in three areas:  Environment and Energy Efficiency, Economic Development, and Community Vitality.  Inclusiveness/diversity and employee/retiree volunteer initiatives are integrated into all three areas of focus .

Stick Williams, SVP of EH&S and president of The Duke Energy Foundation, says that the Foundation has enjoyed a good and long-standing relationship with NC Beautiful and that reaching out to children now about the importance of environmental preservation is a sound investment for the future .  “Supporting environmental education in the classroom can excite the minds of many students to explore and pursue future careers in science,” says Williams.  “The Foundation’s contribution to NC Beautiful is an example of how one grant can become a catalyst for many to study and experience environmental education.”

Windows of Opportunity provides educational grants to reward NC teachers for their creativity in fostering environmental stewardship, leadership, and awareness and initiating a sense of community service. Over the last two years, NC Beautiful has presented 51 educational grants, totaling $51,000, to schools throughout North Carolina.  The Duke Energy Foundation Windows of Opportunity Grant is available to North Carolina K-12 educators located within participating Duke Energy service areas.  NC Beautiful Executive Director, Steve Vacendak, says that in a time when educators are struggling with restrictive resources, the generosity of supporters like The Duke Energy Foundation is more important than ever.

“Words cannot express how grateful we are to The Duke Energy Foundation,” says Vacendak.  “This grant is one of the largest NC Beautiful has received in our history.  These grants will have an incredible impact on our educators’ ability to obtain the materials they need in order to educate their students on the importance of natural preservation.  Through the overwhelming generosity of The Duke Energy Foundation, we’ll be able to broaden our reach to empower more of our citizens to help keep North Carolina beautiful.”

Duke Energy Manager of Sports Venues and NC Beautiful Director, Robin Nicholson, says that NC Beautiful is a reflection of the environmental focus Duke Energy has maintained for years and is an outlet for continued improvement in the various initiatives in which Duke Energy is involved.  “The Windows of Opportunity Grants are an excellent way to help develop the environmental awareness of the youth of our state and help them further understand the impact we all have on the environment.”

Grant applications will be accepted until January 30, 2010.  Applicants must be K-12 full-time certified teachers located within applicable Duke Energy service areas.  To register for an application or to check area eligibility, visit http://www.ncbeautiful.org/programs/energy.html.  For more information, contact Louise Carey at (919) 828-3190 or lcarey@ncbeautiful.org.

About NC Beautiful
NC Beautiful has been part of the state’s environmental preservation community for 40 years, supporting awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect our quality of life. Today, we concentrate on hands-on and merit-based programs designed to empower our citizens to preserve the natural beauty of the state of North Carolina. Whether it’s school children building outdoor classrooms, graduate students developing cutting edge research, or a Boy Scout troop planting azaleas at an elder care facility, we make it possible for North Carolinians to keep NC Beautiful. For more information, visit www.ncbeautiful.org.

Media Contacts
Steve Vacendak, Executive Director
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
svacendak@ncbeautiful.org

Louise Carey, Programs Manager
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
lcarey@ncbeautiful.org

Jason Walls, Communications Manager
Duke Energy
(704) 382-5559
Jason.Walls@duke-energy.com