Kent Environmental Council Awards $3,035.84 in Local Grants

Kent Environmental Council has awarded $3,035.84 in “Legacy for the Environment” Grants, which are aimed at improving the environment in Portage County.  The following requests were awarded:

Portage County Master Gardeners—$650 to present a workshop teaching 50 participants the importance of composting for the environment, how to compost. and how to use the compost in the garden. A reference book and kitchen bucket will be provided to each participant.  Follow up with participants to survey their use and results.  Portage Soil and Water District is a partner in this project.

Edible Kent—$385.84 to install and secure a demonstration rain barrel to help water a vegetable garden near the farmer’s market.  The grant will also aid the organization in paying for their Adopt-A-Spot rental.  The organization provides education about sustainable food production and donates this organic food to the community.

Kent State University Foundation— $1,000 toward the purchase of a rechargeable battery for Z. E. B., a zero-emission golf cart vehicle which will be used on campus to transport visitors and demonstrate the feasible use of Fuel Cell technology.  The students responsible for building this vehicle are working under Dr. Yanhai Du at Kent State University’s College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability, and Technology.

Family and Community Services—$1000 to replace two paper towel dispensers at the Community Clothing Center with energy efficient air hand dryers, thus reducing paper towel usage two thirds, leading to saving trees, and reducing waste water and air pollution that result from paper towel manufacturing. The County Clothing Center provides free gently used clothing and other household items to individuals in need.

All checks will be distributed at the KEC Annual Meeting, February 27, 2017, 6:30 PM, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent—Fessenden Hall 228 Gougler Avenue, Kent 44240.  After a short business meeting, there will be a presentation on solar energy, free and open to the public.