KNOXVILLE, Tenn.­­ — The Tennessee Valley Authority announced that it has contributed $30,000 to support The Conservation Fund’s grant program established by Volkswagen of America to help eligible environmental improvement projects in East Tennessee counties.

“With environmental stewardship a core part of the TVA mission of service for over 86 years, we are thrilled to partner with The Conservation Fund to directly improve East Tennessee,” said Bucky Edmondson, director, TVA Natural Resources. “We always achieve more when we work together.”

In November 2019, Volkswagen broke ground on its U.S. electric vehicle manufacturing facilities in Chattanooga and announced an initiative with The Conservation Fund to help protect and restore forestland in the United States. This initiative aims to purchase, protect and then donate about 1,500 acres to the U.S. Forest Service to become part of Cherokee National Forest.

TVA’s funding adds $30,000 to the $200,000 already administered by The Conservation Fund and Volkswagen.

“TVA’s support will help to advance local environmental and community efforts designed to deliver measurable and lasting benefits to Tennessee’s natural resources,” said Ralph Knoll, Tennessee representative with The Conservation Fund. “We are grateful to TVA for its leadership.”

Grants of up to $50,000 each are open to applications from qualified entities in 33 East Tennessee counties. Proposed projects must focus on the region’s highest priorities, including improving water quality, enhancing outdoor recreation and providing environmental education.

Qualified nonprofits, schools and public agencies can apply. There are specifications on what types of projects will be considered. Upon receiving a grant award, recipients will be required to submit tracking and success evaluation reports.

The deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 14, 2020. Grant award recipients will be notified in March. For more information about TVA and its 86-year mission of service to the Tennessee Valley,  click here.