Kentucky American Water has awarded more than $13,000 in environmental grants for four projects in Kentucky, US.

Projects coordinated by the City of Winchester, Friends of Parks in Fayette County, the Licking River Watershed Watch, and The Nature Conservancy will receive a share of grant funds totaling $13,700.

Since the grant program’s inception in 2006, Kentucky American Water has awarded more than $187,000 in grant funds to area organizations making a difference to protect and preserve Kentucky watersheds and highlight the

importance of water in our lives. The funds provided through the grant program are in addition to the company’s other ongoing corporate giving efforts and support the company’s commitment to serving as an environmental leader in Kentucky.

“Kentucky American Water is pleased to support organizations that are bringing people together to help protect waterways in our region while also inspiring and educating others to do the same,” said Nick Rowe, president of Kentucky American Water and senior vice president for American Water’s Southeast Division. “We thank this year’s recipients for their commitment to the environment, and in particular, for their efforts to protect our most precious natural resource, water.”

The 2017 projects receiving grant funds are: “Water Quality Improvements through Waste Tire Collection and Removal,” coordinated by the City of Winchester in partnership with the Clark County Solid Waste Department, the Clark County Jail and the citizens of Winchester. The project will involve a coordinated effort to educate citizens about the potential threat to water quality and human health that stockpiling old tires creates, and assist in the removal of the equivalent of 1,000 passenger waste tires over a two-month period. The grant award is $1,000.

“Riparian Vegetation Showcase on Wolf Run: Community Garden,” coordinated by the Friends of Parks of Fayette County in partnership with the Friends of Wolf Run, Fayette County Public Schools, Bluegrass Woodland Restoration Center and Good Foods Co-Op. The project will involve extending a vegetative buffer along a branch of Wolf Run Creek on formerly residential property acquired by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.The riparian greenway established will include a community garden that will serve as a teaching garden, as well, fornearby high school students and others. The project also involves projects to remove invasive species, weeds andtrash. The grant award is $5,000.

“Data Driven Clean Water,” coordinated by the Licking River Watershed Watch in partnership with Strodes Creek Conservancy, the City of Millersburg, Bourbon Co unty Planning Office, Millersburg Garden Club, Green Thumb Club, J. Sweitzer Canoe and 3M Company. The project involves engaging volunteers to conduct water quality monitoring of creeks and streams in multiple counties in the Licking River watershed as well as complete a rain garden project and creek and stream cleanups in the area, engaging multiple organizations and citizens. The grant award is $5,700.

“Innovative Conservation Easement Tracking and Reporting Project,” coordinated by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with landowners along the Kentucky River, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and more. The project involves purchasing equipment to assist in the tracking and reporting of conservation easements while providing additional support for the Fire Management Program in the same areas. The grant award is $2,000.