Pee Dee Land Trust received a $35,000 grant to initiate a long-term process for strategic conservation of high-priority lands along Black Creek in Darlington County in South Carolina. The grant is part of Duke Energy’s Water Resources Fund, a $10 million commitment to help regional nonprofits protect and improve the environment.

The funds awarded by Duke Energy will be used to prioritize streamside lands, educate landowners about conservation options and complete two conservation easement projects.

“The Black Creek watershed is where we got our start as an organization 17 years ago, and the people who live near this stream form the heart of our conservation community,” said David Harper, Pee Dee Land Trust executive director. “The Water Resources Fund grant is right in line with our strategic conservation work – it allows us to take a closer look at streamfront properties that provide the greatest water quality and quantity benefits to the creek. We can then work with those landowners to develop plans that meet their financial and family goals while keeping the land in its natural condition, for this and future generations.”

Pee Dee Land Trust is one of 12 organizations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to collectively receive $777,879  this week from Duke Energy’s Water Resources Fund.

“Duke Energy is closely connected to the rivers and waterways that power our regional economies,” said Shawn Heath, president of the Duke Energy Foundation. “These waterways are valued resources we strive to protect and restore. We look forward to our partnership with Pee Dee Land Trust and the impact this grant will have in the area.”

Recipients of the Water Resources Fund grants are selected by an independent body that includes five environmental experts and two Duke Energy employees. Selected projects are chosen on several criteria, including whether the project is science-based and research-supported.

The Black Creek watershed is a tributary of the Pee Dee River in Chesterfield, Darlington and Florence counties in South Carolina. The conservation strategy planned by Pee Dee Land Trust will improve water quality, water quantity and conservation for Black Creek by partnering with landowners to develop conservation plans and easements for permanent protection of riparian forest and farm properties.

Pictured from left to right are:
-Rick Jiran, Duke Energy Vice President, Community Relations, South Carolina
- David Harper, Pee Dee Land Trust Executive Director
- David Fountain, Duke Energy State President, North Carolina

About the Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. In 2015, the foundation provided more than $30 million in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.

Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit http://www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at http://duke-energy.com.