{"id":455,"date":"2025-06-10T11:28:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T15:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/appalachianohio.org\/aacf\/2025\/06\/up-to-125000-in-funding-available-for-conservation-environmental-stewardship\/"},"modified":"2025-06-10T11:28:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T15:28:19","slug":"up-to-125000-in-funding-available-for-conservation-environmental-stewardship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/appalachianohio.org\/aacf\/2025\/06\/up-to-125000-in-funding-available-for-conservation-environmental-stewardship\/","title":{"rendered":"Up to $125,000 in funding available for conservation, environmental stewardship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Applications open for fellowships and community, innovation<\/em> and research grants<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NELSONVILLE, Ohio<\/strong> \u2013 Funding is now available through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) for locally led conservation and environmental stewardship efforts that advance the greater well-being of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the second consecutive year, funding through FAO\u2019s Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity will support community projects, fellowships, research and innovation in the areas of conservation and environmental stewardship. This annual funding is made possible through a landmark $5 million investment from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) and gifts from other committed partners who helped to establish FAO\u2019s Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund, including American Electric Power, AEP Foundation, Nicolozakes Trucking & Construction Inc. and Ohio CAT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThanks to MWCD\u2019s transformative gift and the vision of other generous donors, we\u2019re able to support trailblazers and changemakers as they work to preserve Appalachian Ohio\u2019s natural environment for future generations,\u201d said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. \u201cWhen we unite around a shared purpose like this, we can accomplish so much more than any of us could achieve alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year\u2019s environmental stewardship funding opportunity resulted in more than $160,000 in community, innovation and research grants as well as fellowships and scholarships regionwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThrough the initial funding round, we supported everything from on-the-ground environmental restorations to cutting-edge research, and we\u2019re already seeing the impact across the region,\u201d said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. \u201cThese investments reaffirm our dedication to both our conservation mission and the communities we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A total of $125,000 in funding is available within the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio and seven additional counties served by MWCD for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n