FAO, MWCD expand partnership to advance environmental stewardship across region
Representatives from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and members of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Board celebrate an expanded partnership, which is designed to advance environmental stewardship across the region for years to come. (Submitted photo)
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) have expanded a partnership designed to advance environmental health and well-being for people within their service areas for years to come.
Earlier this year, MWCD’s Board of Directors approved a $5 million gift to FAO’s Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity, one of five funds established by FAO and its partners to create new opportunities across five areas essential to quality of life. Other pillar funding areas are arts and culture, community and economic development, education, and health and human services.
The recent investment from MWCD makes environmental stewardship the first pillar fund to reach $10 million – a level that will allow FAO to award up to $500,000 annually in grants, fellowships and scholarships across the region.
In January, FAO awarded more than $160,000 in partnership with MWCD to support projects and individuals committed to advancing conservation and environmental stewardship in the region. But requests totaled nearly eight times the amount of funding available.
“In 2024, we were able to begin accepting proposals annually to support conservation and environmental stewardship efforts, thanks to a previous investment from MWCD and gifts from other donors who helped establish our Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “Through MWCD’s latest gift, we’ll be able to fund even more environmental initiatives that will benefit our communities, not only today but for generations to come. In time, our goal is to have all five pillar funds reach this level.”
Recently funded projects included a study to determine whether dredge material from inland lakes is suitable for application on reclaimed coal mine lands, a week-long science camp for middle school students and local projects to create and expand community garden and garden arts programming.
With the latest investment, FAO and MWCD will create a new statewide collaborative to identify priorities around water quality research, provide services for FAO’s affiliate foundation partners in MWCD’s service area and continue to grow funding available for environmental stewardship-related projects in the region.
“Strengthening conservation and sustainability is one of the key aspects of MWCD’s five-year strategic plan, and our continued and expanded partnership with FAO aligns perfectly with this goal,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. “The new collaborative will guide research priorities related to the watershed, so we can target future funding toward new and creative approaches that improve water quality and address critical gaps in existing environmental research. Together, MWCD and FAO are building a healthier environment and a stronger future for every community we serve.”
A 501(c)(3) public charity, FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 14 geographic affiliate foundations and the regionwide African American Community Fund, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. FAO affiliates in MWCD’s service area are the Guernsey County Foundation, Harrison County Community Foundation, Morgan Community Fund, Noble County Community Foundation and African American Community Fund. FAO also works with affiliates serving the Nelsonville area and Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Perry and Vinton counties.
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation’s mission is to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. For more information, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org and follow FAO on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving over $9 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy, garnering more than 5 million visitors annually. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD, and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Instagram.