Finalists have been announced for the 2012 MillerCoors-River Network Grant Contest, which will award more than $55,000 in grants to support local watershed protection programs around the country.
The program is entering its 4th year and has received more than 50,000 votes over the years and has funded the completion of 24 water projects nationwide. MillerCoors is contributing $80,000 to River Network for the competition with a minimum of $55,000 of that going to selected local water organizations. According to company representatives, water conservation is one of the MillerCoors “key sustainable development platforms.”
The finalist with the most votes will win a $25,000 grant; second place will receive $15,000; and third place will receive $10,000. The remaining three finalists will each receive $2,000.
“River Network does its best to provide a series of tools to local groups to be able to do their work better,” says River Network President Todd Ambs. “Some of the tools we try to provide include organizational, development, technical skills, and financial resources.”
Check out project summaries on the River Network website to decide whom to vote for. Finalists include Friends of Marsh Creek, Clinton River Watershed Council, Friends of the Mississippi River, Ohio River Foundation, Lake Champlain International, and Friends of the Rappahannock.
Voting will remain open until 5:00 p.m., PST on Monday, March 19, 2012. Winners will be announced online on March 29.
Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, for 24 years, River Network has empowered and united people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waterways that sustain the health of the land. Their goal is to make every person an active caretaker of their local river, lake, stream or bay by building the capacity of state and local groups, assisting people grappling with water and environmental health problems, protecting habitat for fish and wildlife, developing blue cities, and reducing the country’s use of water and energy.
To review finalists and vote, go to the River Network MillerCoors Grant page.
–Aaron Bible
