Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction was named a recipient of an Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Grant to fund water quality protection programming in 2017.
The matching grant of $37,593 will provide funding for projects such as an educational coloring book for K-8 students, interactive waterscape display to demonstrate non-point pollution at public events, rain barrel installations in community spaces, rain barrel design competition at the Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration, water protection workshops and more.
“The district has long provided education and services, such as household hazardous waste collection events, that help the public reduce their impact on our waterways,” said Therese Haller, executive director for Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction. “Applying for the grant to help us expand our programs was a logical step. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited to work with our community partners on these great projects.”
The district will work with organizations such as Porter County Parks & Recreation, Porter County MS4, City of Valparaiso, Town of Porter, Chesterton Storm Water Utility, City of Portage Utility Services and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission to complete these proposed programs and activities. Residents can anticipate an announcement of events after the first of the year.
The Indiana DNR Lake Michigan Coastal Program receives an annual allotment of funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to administer a grants program to carry out projects which protect and restore natural, cultural and historic resources in Indiana's Lake Michigan coastal region. The Lake Michigan Coastal Grants Program is an annual competitive grants program that awards funds to units of local government, regional and state agencies, colleges and universities, as well as to non-profit organizations.
Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction is an agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life by providing services and educational programs which help residents reduce, reuse, and recycle.