News Releases

2004 News Releases 

Gulfstream Distributes $50,000 in Environmental Grants

TAMPA, Fla. - Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., today announced the winners of the 2004 Gulfstream Environmental & Recreational Trust program, distributing $50,000 to assist in the development of unique environmental and/or recreational projects near the pipeline route and surrounding communities. Grant winners include:

• Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation. (Baldwin County, Ala.) - To fund the restoration of a 13.5-acre wetland and white topped pitcher plant bog. Grant award: $6,500.
• Florida Mining-Recreation, Inc. (Hardee County, Fla.) - To help establish an adjunct birding trail to the Great Florida Birding Trail at Paynes Creek. Grant award: $6,500.
• Archbold Biological Station (Highlands County, Fla.) - To help fund the Florida Scrub Coloring Book, an easy-to-read educational publication that makes learning about Florida Scrub fun. Grant award: $6,000.
• Solution to Avoid Red Tide, Inc. (Manatee County, Fla.) - To develop and install environmental educational exhibit in Manatee County. Grant award: $6,000.
• Scuba Scouts (Pinellas County, Fla.) - The Boy and Girl Scouts of Palm Harbor are conducting underwater surveying of coral reef habitat in Tampa Bay as part of a long-term monitoring program. Grant award: $5,500.
• Volunteer Services of Manatee County, Inc. (Manatee & DeSoto Counties, Fla.) - To train 200 youth volunteers to create, implement, maintain, and evaluate environmental efforts specific to their own communities, with emphasis on rebuilding parks and nature trails devastated by Hurricane Charley. Grant award: $5,000.
• The Florida Aquarium (Hillsborough County, Fla.) - To expand its ability to offer Invasive Species Workshops by training additional facilitators and expanding curriculum activities. Grant award: $3,500.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County (Martin County, Fla.) - To initiate an environmental education program through the creation of a garden including vegetables and purpose-specific plants. Grant award: $3,500.
• YMCA of West Central Florida, Inc. (Polk County, Fla.) - To construct an upland environment at the YMCA Par 3 golf course, presently being renovated to serve disadvantaged youth in the area. Grant award: $2,500.
• Arnold's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (Okeechobee County, Fla.) - To educate elementary students in Okeechobee County about native Florida animals, endangered species, their roles in the Florida ecosystems, and predator-prey relationships. Grant award: $2,500.
• Florida Atlantic University Center for Environmental Studies (Highlands County, Fla.) - To provide Student Field Studies and learning workshops for middle school students in Okeechobee County. Grant award: $2,500.
  

The Gulfstream Environmental & Recreational Trust program was created in 2000 to distribute at least $350,000 during the first five years of pipeline operations to benefit communities near the pipeline route. During the first four years of the program more than $250,000 has been distributed.

Twenty-five written grant applications were submitted from Jan. 1 to Sept. 15, 2004. An Advisory Resource Network consisting of environmental experts met in October to determine which projects would receive funding and how the dollars would be distributed. Grants were awarded based on community need, environmental benefit and ability to complete the project as proposed.

The application deadline for the 2005 Gulfstream Environmental & Recreational Trust program is Sept. 15, 2005. Applications are available on the Gulfstream web site by clicking here.

Placed into service in May 2002, Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. is a 581-mile pipeline system with the capacity to deliver 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day to serve Florida's growing energy needs. The pipeline is a joint development between Williams (NYSE:WMB) and Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK).

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