Several Indiana state parks and state recreation areas will host viewing programs for the once-in-a-lifetime Venus transit on June 5.Statement issued Thursday:
Northeastern REMC awards two environmental grants
Northeastern REMC has awarded grants to two local organizations to further environmental programs and education in Northeast Indiana.
Little River Wetlands Project and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home received funds collected as part of the EnviroWatts program funded by a number of REMC members. These residential and industrial members choose to have part of their electric usage credited back to “green” sources of electric generation by paying an additional amount per kilowatt hour which funds the grants.
The Little River Wetlands Project, whose mission is to facilitate the restoration and protection of wetlands and provide educational programs that encourages good stewardship of all natural resources, received $2,805 to obtain equipment and supplies to use in their nature education programs that further environmental awareness. The group maintains a 1,033 acre nature preserve located in Southwest Allen County.
Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home will use the $1,200 awarded them to create a “green prairie” on two acres adjacent to their facility on Homestead Road. A walking path, seating areas for patient families and visitors, wildlife identification and wildlife structures such as bird houses, butterfly boxes, and bat boxes will be created for this new prairie. VNHH will also make the property available as a hands-on environmental learning experience for students in Homestead High School science classes.
Through an agreement with its power supplier, Wabash Valley Power Association, Northeastern REMC has the ability to provide renewable energy as an option for its members. More commonly known as “green power”, this energy is generated from environmentally-preferred sources such as landfill gas in Indiana and from wind farms located in Illinois. To be eligible for a grant, a not-for-profit organization must engage in research and development of new renewable resources, environment education, or other activities or programs which involve protecting our environment. Preference will be given to qualified organizations located within the REMC’s service territory in Allen, Huntington, Kosciusko, Noble, Wabash, and Whitley counties, or whose activities directly benefit the area served by the cooperative.
