Avangrid Foundation Awards $136,000 in Grants to Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers

Rhea-AI Summary

Avangrid Foundation has announced a record total of $136,000 in grants to 15 wildlife rehabilitation centers, the highest amount in its Wildlife Rehabilitation Program’s history. Over seven years, this program has contributed more than $500,000 to combat challenges like Avian Influenza and study copper toxicity. The funds will enhance operational capabilities and outreach to communities, promoting wildlife awareness. The initiative spans ten states, with specific projects including the construction of quarantine facilities and provision of protective equipment to address the needs of wildlife in rehabilitation.

Positive

• Record grants of $136,000 awarded to 15 wildlife rehabilitation centers.
• Total of more than $500,000 contributed over seven years support wildlife conservation efforts.
• Focus on addressing Avian Influenza and copper toxicity enhances environmental stewardship.

Negative

• None.

Company’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program totals more than $500,000 in grants to centers nationwide through its seven-year history

Funds will be used to combat the Avian Influenza, study copper toxicity, build new shelters, purchase nutritious food and more

ORANGE, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Avangrid Foundation, the primary philanthropic arm of leading sustainable energy company AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), today announced a record total of $136,000 in grants to 15 wildlife rehabilitation centers as part of its Wildlife Rehabilitation Program. This is the highest amount of grants ever given in the program’s history. The funds will support operational capabilities and expand outreach to communities within the service area of the AVANGRID family of companies to improve knowledge and awareness of wildlife resources.

Photo provided by: Center for Wildlife

“As a leading clean energy company, we acutely understand the importance of environmental stewardship,” said Pablo Colón, director of corporate citizenship and executive director of the Avangrid Foundation. “We are committed to wildlife protection, preserving healthy ecosystems and promoting biological diversity—all of which are essential for a sustainable future. This year’s grantees are making impactful and lasting changes for the good of wildlife and our environment, all in unique ways. We’re thrilled to support their efforts.”

Now in its seventh year, AVANGRID’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program has given a total of more than $500,000 in grants to centers nationwide. This round of grantees spans ten states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Iowa. The grantees will use the funds to:

• Badger Run Wildlife Rehab (Oregon): Break ground on a quarantine facility to protect avian patients from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus.
• Blue Mountain Wildlife (Oregon): Complete the organization’s new Intake Center, which includes exam and quarantine rooms, to combat HPAI.
• Center for Wildlife (Maine): Cover expenses for personal protective equipment needed due to HPAI and an OWL Labs Meeting Camera System to facilitate research and collaboration with other facilities.
• Green Chimneys (New York): Build an emperor and snow geese indoor shelter and a songbird rehabilitation cage at its Farm and Wildlife Center.
• Hawks Aloft (New Mexico): Support a monthly raptor rescue zoom collaboration, employee training, education, and purchasing lead testing equipment.
• Liberty Wildlife (Arizona): Study copper toxicity in California Condors.
• Nature’s Nursery (Ohio): Construct a new raptor rehabilitation habitat to accommodate its growing wildlife admissions rate.
• Ojai Raptor Center (California): Purchase raptor food and medicine.
• Red Creek Wildlife Center (Pennsylvania): Upgrades and supplies need at the temporary facility the will replace the clinic last in a December 2022 fire.
• Roaring Brook Nature Center (Connecticut): Support for Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic and public viewing window.
• Saving our Avian Resources (SOAR) (Iowa): Purchase nutritious, quality food for rehabilitating raptors and support educational outreach.
• Sharon Audubon (Connecticut): Rehabilitation and education summer paid intern to support its efforts.
• Whispering Willow Wild Care (New York): Offer free programming to low income schools in underserved areas of the Capital Region of New York.
• Wildlife Works (Pennsylvania): Offer a paid internship for high school and college students, ensuring proper staffing during the organization’s busiest season.
• US Davis California Raptor Center (California): Support for the organization’s volunteer and educational work.

“The Avangrid Foundation has provided us with this grant at a critical time for wildlife rehabs across the country as we all deal with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI),” said Laura Hale, president of Badger Run Wildlife Rehab. “The HPAI virus has made it critical for us to be able to quarantine all new avian patients upon admission to avoid spreading this virus throughout our facility. This virus would be deadly to any raptor patients, as well as our entire team of educational avian animal ambassadors. By providing these funds, the Avangrid Foundation will make it possible for us to break ground in Spring 2023 to erect a building specifically dedicated as a quarantine facility on our grounds. This will allow us to safely admit and triage multiple new patients at the same time while keeping them safely separated during the quarantine period. Our most heartfelt thank you to the Avangrid Foundation for helping us continue to care for the sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife of Southern Oregon.”

For more information on the Avangrid Foundation, click here.

About Avangrid Foundation: The Avangrid Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds philanthropic investments that primarily impact communities where AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) and its subsidiaries operate. Since 2001, the Avangrid Foundation and its predecessors have invested more than $36 million in partnerships that focus on building sustainable, vital and healthy communities; preserving cultural and artistic heritage; advancing education; and improving people’s lives. The Avangrid Foundation is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the United States. For more information, please visit www.avangridfoundation.org.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, AVANGRID ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. AVANGRID is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230207005941/en/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarah Warren

sarah.warren@avangrid.com

585-794-9253

Source: AVANGRID

FAQ

What amount did Avangrid Foundation grant for wildlife rehabilitation in 2023?

Avangrid Foundation granted a record total of $136,000 to wildlife rehabilitation centers.

How much has Avangrid's Wildlife Rehabilitation Program contributed in total?

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Program has contributed over $500,000 in grants to date.

What are the primary focuses of the grants awarded by Avangrid Foundation?

The grants focus on combating Avian Influenza, studying copper toxicity, and enhancing wildlife rehabilitation facilities.

In which states are the wildlife rehabilitation centers receiving grants located?

The grantees are located in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Iowa.

What are the expected outcomes of the recent grants by Avangrid Foundation?

The grants aim to improve operational capabilities, enhance wildlife awareness, and promote better care for injured and orphaned wildlife.