The Regional Water Authority (RWA) announced today that the company’s affiliate, the Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund (The Watershed Fund), has awarded grants in support of educational initiatives to the New Haven Science Fair and the James Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford.

“These organizations are providing exceptional services and experiences to the children of our community, aligning with the Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund’s purpose of providing education that encourages appreciation for and preservation of our environment,” said Brian M. Stone, Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund President. “We believe that education is central to our mission of preserving open space and protecting watershed land.”

“We are proud to support these programs that will inspire, educate and empower future generations,” said Larry Bingaman, President and CEO of the RWA. “Through the Claire C. Bennitt Watershed Fund, the RWA has enriched the lives of thousands of students in our region, and we look forward to remaining strong partners in the Greater New Haven community for years to come.”

The Watershed Fund awarded a $10,000 grant to the New Haven Science Fair, a program dedicated to improving the quality of education, particularly in science and math, in New Haven Public Schools grades Pre-K through 12. The program provides teacher training, mentoring and support for the science fair and parent involvement. As part of the grant, The Watershed Fund will award a $250 prize to the student with the most innovative project related to water, water conservation or environmental science. The Watershed Fund is a longtime partner of the New Haven Science Fair, awarding it more than $135,000 since 2007.

The $1,291 grant award to the James Blackstone Memorial Library will support the Reading Colors Your World (Waterways) program, developed by the library and the Town of Branford’s Office of Sustainability and Compliance. The program will be broken into two sessions and will use a combination of stories, discussion starters, visuals and hands-on activities to introduce children in grades K through four to Branford’s natural resources, including the watershed and various waterways. Both sessions will reinforce their importance and teach participants the actionable steps they need to take to protect this precious resource through conservation, recycling and reducing litter.

The RWA created The Watershed Fund in 1999, and it remains a driving force behind its mission to protect water quality by acquiring watershed land and promoting environmental education. Working in partnership with municipalities, land trusts and other entities, The Watershed Fund enhances the environment and improves quality of life by protecting drinking water supplies and watershed lands. The education programs and scholarships supported by The Watershed Fund provide future leaders with the tools they need to preserve and protect open space and drinking water supply resources.