The Wabash River Defenders Board seeks grant funding through various environmental organizations including the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Community Foundation of Wabash County and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
Grant funds assist the Defenders with costs accrued in developing a strategic plan, analyzing water samples and other aspects of the organization’s mission.
Community Foundation of Wabash County Environmental Endowment Grant
On November 22, 2017, the Program Committee of the Community Foundation of Wabash County generously approved a $12,000 grant to the Wabash River Defenders to help purchase water sampling and testing equipment, and to provide local matching funds for other project grants. Equipment needed to establish baseline water quality data in the watershed included a multiparameter meter and flow meter. WRD contractors and volunteers will be conducting water sampling throughout the year, and will provide samples to our partner organizations City of Wabash Wastewater Treatment Department and Strauss Veal Feeds, North Manchester. Water quality indicators to be recorded and monitored include pH, nitrate-nitrogen, total phosphorus, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, E. coli, total suspended solids and stream flow.
IDEM Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program Grant
On August 30, 2017, the final State of Indiana signature was made on an agreement to award Wabash River Defenders $129,097 to develop a Treaty Creek-Wabash River Watershed Management Plan, conduct a water quality monitoring program, and execute an outreach and education program. A steering committee of local stakeholders will partner with Wabash River Defenders to guide the development of this plan. Arion Consultants, Inc. will serve as the contractor for the project. Samples from at least 10 sites will be taken bi-weekly during project year #1 for a total of 260 total samples, and will be analyzed for physical and chemical properties, including: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate-nitrogen, total suspended sediment, phosphorus, turbidity, and E. coli. Thanks to our partners, the City of Wabash Wastewater Treatment Department and Strauss Veal Feeds, North Manchester, who will provide laboratory analysis for some of the chemical properties. An assessment of the fish and macroinvertebrate communities within the watershed will be completed. Water quality data resulting from the sample analysis will be used to determine recommendations for improvement strategies to be included in the watershed management plan. The work will continue for two and one-half years.
DNR LARE Grant (Lake and River Enhancement)
On July 15, 2016, Wabash River Defenders was awarded a $38,000 grant to conduct a watershed diagnostic study of erosion, sedimentation and other water quality issues in the Silver Creek, Hanging Rock-Wabash River Watershed. WRD has subcontracted with Arion Consultants, Inc to lead the study. Water samples from at least 10 sites will be analyzed for physical and chemical properties, including: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate + nitrite, organic nitrogen (TKN), ammonia nitrogen, total and dissolved phosphorus, turbidity, conductivity, E. coli, and discharge. Assessment of the fish and macroinvertebrate communities will be conducted. A watershed diagnostic report will be completed for the project. The project will be completed by September 1, 2018.
National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
In February 2015, the National Environmental Education Foundation, commonly known as NEEF, awarded the Wabash River Defenders with a $5,000 grant. The funds helped the Board formalize the organization, develop a strategic plan to raise awareness of the Defenders’ mission and collaborate with other watershed initiatives across the country. To find out more about NEEF, visit neefusa.org.