CLEAN Awards is sponsored by Constellation Energy. Offers grants to nonprofit projects focused on environmental stewardship, including biodiversity enhancement and climate adaptation.

Community Commitment | Constellation Energy Supporting a Cleaner, Healthier Environment in Our Communities Constellation is dedicated to leading the transition to a clean energy future and strives to achieve a cleaner, healthier environment for our communities.

The CLEAN (Constellation Leading Environmental Accelerators Network) Environment Awards recognize organizations' significant efforts and contributions to environmental stewardship. These awards support community-based projects focused on climate and environmental protection and innovation. $1 Million philanthropic grant funding to support 34 nonprofit organizations.

CLEAN Environment grant awards range from $4,000 - $125,000. Support focused in Constellation local communities – Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas – where we live, work and serve. Selected projects include construction and refurbishment of wildlife enclosures, urban tree planting initiatives, living shoreline installations and youth nature programs.

View our full list of projects and awardees in support of local Constellation Clean Energy Center communities below.

Campton Township Open Space Foundation Byron Community, Illinois Project Title: Campton Township Open Space Natural Resources Area Description: The Campton Township Open Space Natural Resources Area project will provide the community with restored natural habitats, including 80 acres of oak savanna and wetlands, improving biodiversity and ecological resilience.

It also enhances public access and environmental education through new trails, signage and demonstration gardens, benefiting residents—especially youth and school groups.

Clinton Community, Illinois Project Title: Tree Corps Description: The Tree Corps project by the Ecology Action Center will improve public health and environmental resilience by planting 10,000 trees annually in Bloomington-Normal and Mclean County, areas disproportionately affected by pollution.

This initiative enhances air quality, reduces urban heat, and creates pollinator habitats, benefiting residents through cleaner and greener community spaces.

Friends of Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area Dresden Community, Illinois Project Title: Invasive Species Removal Description: This project will restore 342 acres of public land within the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area by removing invasive plant species, enhancing biodiversity and improving the ecological health of the area.

These efforts will provide long-term environmental benefits and create a safer, more enjoyable space for the community members who use the area for recreation and education. Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves Dresden Community, Illinois Project Title: Equipment Funding for Preserve Stewardship Description: The project activities include invasive species control, brush-cutting, seed dispersal, rare species care and prescribed burns.

The project aims to restore 456 acres, save or create two wildlife habitats, and enhance volunteer capacity to address urgent stewardship needs across Illinois preserves. Friends of the Forest Preserve District of Will County Braidwood Community, Illinois Project Title: Invasive species removal project adjacent to the Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve Description: The project focuses on removing invasive woody species from 2.

78 acres adjacent to the Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve to protect and restore high-quality prairie, savanna and wetland habitats. Quad Cities Community, Illinois Project Title: Refurbish and Construct Two New Wildlife Enclosures Description: The project will refurbish and construct two new wildlife enclosures and install plumbing to improve access to running water, enhancing care for rescued animals.

LaSalle Community, Illinois Project Title: Herptile Recovery & Education Center – Phases II & III Description: Phases II and III of the Herptile Recovery & Education Center project aim to complete the interior of a new facility for reptile rehabilitation and education, including infrastructure like heating, plumbing and animal enclosures, as well as a classroom and outdoor enrichment area for turtles and tortoises.

Illini State Park Foundation LaSalle Community, Illinois Project Title: Woodland Restoration Project Description: The Illini State Park Foundation project funding will restore natural habitats by removing invasive species and hazardous trees, resurface trails and construct new pollinator habitats within the park.

Rock Island County Extension and 4-H Education Foundation Quad Cities Community, Illinois Project Title: Growing Together: Trees, Education, and Community Resilience Description: The “Growing Together: Trees, Education, and Community Resilience” initiative will plant large-canopy native trees at four schools with low Tree Equity Scores, while delivering interactive environmental education and training for students, teachers, and maintenance staff.

Clinton Community Illinois Project Title: Oak Regeneration Project Description: The Sugar Grove Foundation’s project at Funks Grove supports oak regeneration, invasive species removal, new trail construction, prairie restoration and waterway cleanup to enhance ecological health and public access in the Sugar Grove Nature Center area.

LaSalle Community, Illinois Project Title: Coal Miner’s Park Renovation Description: The Coal Miner’s Park Renovation project seeks to transform an underutilized park into an inclusive, eco-friendly, and educational space by adding ADA-compliant infrastructure, eco-lighting, walking paths, a pond aerator and educational signage.

American Chestnut Land Trust Calvert Community, Maryland Project Title: Preserving the Land: Permanent Protection of 90 Acres in Southern Maryland Description: American Chestnut Land Trust seeks to conserve the ecologically significant Helfrich property in Calvert County, Maryland, preserving forests, meadows and a stream that feeds into the Chesapeake Bay.

Anne Arundel County Public School Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center Constellation sites within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Project Title: Indian Creek Marsh Boardwalk Rebuild Description: The project will rebuild the Indian Creek Marsh Boardwalk, a critical hands-on learning space that has deteriorated over time.

The new design will include multiple accessible learning platforms to support daily programming, high school research aligned with Smithsonian Environmental Research Center methods and broader community engagement.

Calvert Community, Maryland Project Title: Paddle to Protect: Water Access for Environment Engagement Description: The “Paddle to Protect” initiative aims to expand public access to waterways like Battle Creek and the Patuxent River by purchasing beginner-friendly kayaks and safety equipment, enabling guided tours, conservation events and independent paddling experiences.

Calvert Community, Maryland Project Title: CLEAN Environmental Awards in Calvert County Description: This project will empower Calvert County residents to lead environmental restoration and education efforts that improve local ecosystems and foster community stewardship.

Projects may focus on trail maintenance, invasive species removal, native plantings, stormwater management, conservation landscaping, litter cleanup and environmental education for youth and adults.

Patuxent Riverkeeper / EarthReports Inc. Calvert Community, Maryland Project Title: Summer Mentoring Camp Description: The project supports a series of summer day camps for youth ages 10–16, pairing them with adult mentors to build nature skills and environmental awareness. These camps serve participants in a community with limited youth programming, emphasizing hands-on learning and personal development in outdoor settings.

Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust Calvert Community, Maryland Project Title: Southern Maryland Land Conservation & Weed Warriors Description: The Land Conservation in Huntersville Rural Legacy Area project aims to preserve 300+ acres of farms, forests, and habitats in Southern Maryland through conservation easements, enhancing clean water, climate resilience and rural heritage.

The Weed Warrior Program Expansion will allow volunteers to remove invasive species and restore native biodiversity in parks and neighborhoods, promoting hands-on environmental education and healthier community spaces.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Oswego County Fitzpatrick Community, New York Project Title: Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center Accessible Trail Project Description: The Accessible Trail Project aims to restore the Beaver Marsh Trail by resurfacing paths, removing hazards and rebuilding the observation deck to ensure safe, inclusive access for individuals with mobility challenges, families, and educators.

Nine Mile Point Community, New York Project Title: Critical Restoration Project at the Lakeview Wildlife Management Area Description: The Lakeview Wildlife Management Area restoration project aims to rehabilitate 150 acres of degraded wetlands by removing invasive species, improving hydrology and creating open-water habitats to support fish, birds, and other wildlife.

Fitzpatrick Community, New York Project Title: Repair the Camp Hollis Trail System Description: The project aims to restore and enhance a deteriorated trail system across 25 acres of forested land to improve safety, accessibility and environmental education. This includes trail resurfacing with crushed limestone, improved signage and collaboration with youth workforce programs and volunteers.

The expected outcomes include increased safe access to nature, reduced injury and tick exposure risks and preservation of 51. 89 acres of natural habitat. Friends of the Sterling Nature Center Fitzpatrick Community, New York Project Title: Trail System Rehabilitation, Bird-Safe Window Film, Summer Nature Explorers Youth Program Description: Three key projects will be addressed by Friends of the Sterling Nature Center.

The Trail System Rehabilitation & Wetland Bridge Repair will restore a key trail and bridge to improve safe access to sensitive wetland habitats shaped by beaver activity. The Bird-Safe Window Film Installation will protect migratory birds by installing 850+ sq ft of bird-safe film and educational signage on facility windows.

Finally, the Summer Nature Explorers Youth Program is a two-week program for ages 9–12 focused on biodiversity, tree planting, wildlife ID and shoreline cleanups. Ginna Community, New York Project Title: Save Our Sodus Program Description: The Save Our Sodus Program is a multi-faceted initiative including invasive species removal (water chestnut), eco-tours on a restored research boat and a pilot eco-camp for youth.

It is expected to benefit over 14,000 people through environmental education, hands-on experiences and restoration efforts including removal of 1,000 invasive plants and recycling 100 pounds of trash.

Nine Mile Point Community, New York Project Title: Massawepie Scout Description: The project will restore and expand the boardwalk and trail infrastructure along a 5-mile hiking loop at Massawepie Scout Camp, enhancing safety and accessibility for youth and community programs.

Ginna Community, New York Project Title: Fawn Rehabilitation Enclosure Set-up Description: The project seeks funding to build a dedicated fawn rehabilitation enclosure that meets New York State standards, providing a safe and quiet space for white-tailed fawns to recover and be released back into the wild.

Chester Housing Initiatives, Inc. Chester County Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: Climate Resilient Agriculture at Ruth Bennett Community Farm Description: The “Climate Resilient Agriculture” project at Ruth Bennett Community Farm focuses on sustainable urban farming, pollinator habitat creation and community education.

It includes workshops, native plant installations and distribution of pocket pollinator gardens to promote ecological awareness and food sovereignty. Halifax Wildcat Education Foundation Crane Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: Halifax Community Garden Greenhouse Remodel Description: This project will repair and upgrade a community greenhouse, including fixing ventilation systems, irrigation, lighting and climate controls.

The project supports year-round gardening and education for community members while enhancing . 03 acres of community space.

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Limerick and Croydon Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: Delaware River Living Shoreline Installation at Croydon, PA Description: This project will support Phase 3 of a multi-year shoreline restoration project using innovative concrete structures to stabilize 1,000 linear feet of shoreline and enhance aquatic habitat.

A construction firm will install subtidal structures and shoreline stabilization materials; deploy novel concrete materials to support fish habitat and reduce erosion, release hatchery-raised native mussels and establish submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and conduct community outreach and school engagement activities focused on coastal resilience and hazard mitigation.

Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Limerick Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: Perkiomen Sourcewater Protection Program: Remove, Reclaim, Restore Description: This project is a three-part initiative that includes removing 60,000 pounds of trash through the region’s largest single-day stream cleanup, reclaiming waterways from invasive species like European water chestnut and restoring habitats by planting over 10,000 native plants.

The project aims to restore 350 acres of land. Raven Ridge Wildlife Center Crane and Peach Bottom Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: Duck Boxes and Critical Care Incubators Description: Raven Ridge will tackle two high priority projects. Duckling Cage Construction will build custom outdoor cages with indoor sections and stock tanks to accommodate orphaned ducklings during their 2–3-month rehabilitation period.

The Critical Care Equipment and Storage project will purchase 10 new critical care incubators of various sizes and secure indoor storage bins for medical supplies.

Red Creek Wildlife Center Crane and Peach Bottom Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: Raccoon Enclosure Expansion Project Description: The Raccoon Enclosure Expansion aims to build an outdoor enclosure divided into two units to accommodate the growing number of raccoon patients, especially during summer and overwintering periods.

The enclosure will feature species-specific design elements like climbing structures, secure vestibules and weather-adaptive roofing to support natural behavior and safe rehabilitation.

Schuylkill River Greenways Limerick Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: Birdsboro Section of the Schuylkill River Trail – Trail Resurfacing Project Description: The project will resurface a 1-mile off-road section of the Schuylkill River Trail in Birdsboro. The project includes scraping, leveling, laying new crushed stone and compacting the surface to restore safe, accessible conditions for walkers, cyclists and equestrian users.

Watershed Alliance of York (WAY) Peach Bottom Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: East Branch Codorus Creek Stream Restoration Permit Description: The East Branch Codorus Creek Stream Restoration project seeks to resubmit a lapsed permit for restoring 2,000 linear feet of the East Branch Codorus Creek.

Once reauthorized, the project will move forward with construction to restore 5 acres of stream habitat and plant 500 trees, enhancing ecological health and public access.

White Clay Watershed Association Peach Bottom Community, Pennsylvania Project Title: Catch the Rain: Community Solutions for Clean Water Description: The project, "Catch the Rain: Community Solutions for Clean Water" will implement rain gardens, permeable pavement retrofits and native plantings to reduce runoff and pollution; conduct 15 personalized site visits and installs nature-based practices on at least six properties, which are showcased on an interactive ArcGIS dashboard; use of demonstration sites for workshops and tours, provides volunteer opportunities in land stewardship and plans to scale the program across the watershed through additional sponsorships.

Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) North Central Chapter Colorado Bend II, Handley, and Wolf Hollow II Community, Texas Project Title: Living Landscapes: Native Plant Demonstration and Ecological Renewal Description: The “Living Landscapes” initiative supports 12 demonstration gardens, restores ecologically significant sites and enhances pollinator habitats through native plant installations and invasive species removal.

It also funds the “Bring Back the Monarch to Texas” program, creating pollinator gardens in schools and public spaces. Download the 2025 Awardees List Download the 2024 Awardees List