With the BP Oil disaster still fresh in the minds of many, donations to environmental agencies have seen a dramatic upswing over the past few months. Most recently, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has awarded a grant worth $3.1 million to three separate environmental agencies: Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council and The Wilderness Society.
The three organizations all promote wildlife-friendly and environmentally responsible renewable energy development. With the grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, which will be given over three years, the organizations will work together to influence administrative and legislative processes related to renewable energy siting.
"The ultimate objective should be a uniform, predictable and proactive approach to renewable energy siting and to land conservation that protects wildlife and wild lands while allowing renewable energy production to ramp up quickly," said Andrew Bowman, director of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Scholar at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies Jim Lyons will lead the project as a senior director. According to Lyons, the grant will allow them to represent nature in the development of national policies for renewable energy.
The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has made it the organization’s goal to enhance people’s lives through grants that support all aspects of society, such as performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and the prevention of child maltreatment.
Another environmental agency that received a major donation in June was the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Foundation Center reports the environmental agency is using $2.5 million received from BP Oil to develop wetland habitat for migratory birds that are affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill. The NFWF will acquire private lands from local farms to construct the new homes for the birds.