Indiana University Kokomo receives Water and Environment grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation

Indiana University Kokomo has received a Water and Environment grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation to support the Kokomo Creek Clean Water Corridor restoration project. The Kokomo Creek Clean Water Corridor restoration project will be led by Andy Tuholski, who serves as the director of the Office of Sustainability, and a group of student volunteers will assist with the project.

According to an article on Indiana University Kokomo’s website, Tuholski is quoted as saying of the grant project, “Regional campuses are inherently close to the communities we serve, so when we plant trees, restore a habitat, host school groups, or put on an event, our students hopefully see that environmental stewardship is something they can actually perform wherever they go in life. It gives students a chance to connect what they learn in class to real places on campus, like the creek, the meadow, the pollinator orchard, the rain garden, and our tree and habitat projects. There are fun and educational events and grant writing, but there is also sweat, mosquitoes, muddy shoes, pulling weeds, watering plants, checking survival rates, and ultimately coming back to the same place again and again because the work always continues. It is my hope that in some small way for those involved, it teaches patience, responsibility, and pride in this space that we share. I love being able to work with them and get their input on how they want to make an impact during their years at IUK.”

The project will see the team working to restore the creek corridor near Sustainability Meadow, the Pollinator Orchard, the campus honeybee hives, the parking garage, and the rain garden restoration area on the south edge of campus. Work will include cleaning, removing invasive plant species, and planting native plants. The grant provides the Office of Sustainability with $10,000 to assist with acquiring supplies for site preparation, creekbank stabilization, native planting, and installation. 

Carrie Williams, who serves as the president of the American Water Charitable Foundation, said, “The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to invest in organizations and programs that focus on clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and water-based recreation. We take pride in furthering American Water’s ongoing commitment to being a good neighbor and trusted partner in the community.”

For more information about Indiana University Kokomo, visit the school’s website.