Iowa American Water to Present 2015 Environmental Grant to River Action, Inc.

(Photo opportunity at Lost Grove Lake, one of the Quad Cities’ Wildplaces) . Iowa American Water will present the first of three 2015 environmental grant awards to River Action, Inc. during a ceremony at Lost Grove Lake at 1:30 p.m. on July 7 (tomorrow). Representatives of River Action, Inc. and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to accept a $4,500 check for the Student Citizen Science at Lost Grove Lake Program.

The Lost Grove Lake program will provide environmental learning opportunities for 200 students at Lost Grove Lake, north of Scott County. In field experimental education will contribute to the overall improvement of student knowledge and understanding of ecosystem function and watershed management.

“Our Environmental Grant Program is designed to help organizations, like River Action, Inc., carry out projects that benefit our waterways, raise awareness about the importance of water in our lives and promote community participation in the preservation and protection of our local watersheds,” said Randy Moore, president of Iowa American Water. “We are pleased to support these worthwhile endeavors and extend our appreciation to the individuals and organizations that are making them happen.”

Lost Grove Lake is a gem of the greater Quad Cities Area. The lake is currently 18 inches from reaching crest (full-pool). Iowa DNR is hopeful rains will bring enough moisture to fill the lake. The lake is heavily used by boat anglers, shore anglers, canoeists/kayakers and hikers. According to IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Chad Dolan, anglers have reported catching bluegills up to 7.5”, crappies up 11”, and Largemouth Bass up to 15”.

“Iowa American water funds will make it possible to expand River Action’s QC Wild Places and Explorers program to include the Citizen Science program to provide much needed experiential environment learning opportunities for area students using Lost Grove as the outdoor classroom,” said Kathy Wine, executive director of River Action.

Since Iowa American Water began its environmental grant program nine years ago over $52,000 has been awarded to local projects that improve, restore or protect local watersheds.

Grant applications were evaluated by a panel of judges based on criteria such as environmental need, innovation, community engagement and sustainability.

Two additional recipients that will be awarded Iowa American Water’s 2015 Environmental Grant Awards in the near future are:

• Keep Scott County Beautiful will be awarded $1,500 for Xstream Cleanup 2015. Xstream Cleanup is an annual Quad-City wide cleanup of streams, creeks, drainage areas and sections of the Mississippi River. About 1,500 volunteers will help the community and our environment by clearing debris from 30-45 sites on Saturday, August 8. Last year volunteers removed approximately 33,000 pounds of debris from area waterways.
• Gateway ImpACT Coalition will be awarded a $1,000 grant for its Safe Disposal of Medication Project. One goal of the project is to increase community awareness and marketing, which includes working with local media, providers and partners, to use medication drop boxes for disposal of unneeded medication in a safe, convenient and environmental-friendly manner.

The check presentation will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the main boat ramp at Lost Grove Lake. The ramp is located off 240^th street (Wells Ferry Rd.) Additional directions:

Take US 61 North to LeClaire Road at Eldridge. Follow LeClaire road east to 240th St. (Wells Ferry Road). Follow Wells Ferry to the north main boat ramp entrance (1 mile to north on left). It's a gravel entrance that heads uphill to the ramp area.

About Iowa American Water

Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 195,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.