Duke Energy continues support of Catawba Lands Conservancy

Share This Story

CHARLOTTE, NC - Duke Energy today announced the $50,000 corporate challenge grant offered to the Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC) in 2013 has been met and exceeded.

The challenge grant has spawned a ripple effect of new funding for CLC, with additional corporate partners and new funding to further the mission of the organization.

Duke Energy supports the CLC’'s critical work to save sensitive land from development while protecting critical drinking water sources, delicate habitats for fish and wildlife and much-needed farms.

“The collective work that the Catawba Lands Conservancy does to ensure the perpetual preservation and stewardship of our natural resources goes a long way to improving the quality of life in this region,” Paul Newton, Duke Energy president – North Carolina, told more than 100 CLC supporters this morning at the organization’'s annual breakfast meeting. “Duke Energy is proud to be a part of that.”

Today’'s $50,000 contribution continues the momentum started by the Duke Energy Foundation in 2012 to increase the amount of acreage the CLC can conserve by leveraging new private gifts and donations to the organization.

“Duke Energy’'s corporate challenge grant provided an important opportunity for Catawba Lands Conservancy to increase its corporate support, enabling us to better fulfill our mission,” said Tom Okel, executive director of the CLC.

In 2013, the second year the Duke Energy challenge grant was offered, a new record for land conserved was set with the permanent protection of 1,972 acres in 14 different locations across the Southern Piedmont.

About Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States with 7.2 million customers in six states. Over the foundation'’s long history in local communities, it has identified focus areas that maximize the foundation'’s dollars and guide the foundation’'s giving. The foundation makes grants supporting the environment, economic development, education and community vitality. In North Carolina, Duke Energy Foundation invests $16 million annually for community support and charitable contributions. To learn more about Duke Energy Foundation, visit www.duke-energy.com/community.