Canton Daily Ledger BELLEVILLE—Illinois American Water is accepting applications for the company’s 2021 Environmental Grant Program. The program provides funding of up to $10,000 to innovative, community-based projects. For over a decade, Illinois American Water has awarded environmental grants to diverse initiatives across Illinois. According to Illinois American Water President Justin Ladner, “more than $247,000 has been contributed to 74 projects since the program began in 2009.” He said, “At Illinois American Water we know how precious our water resources are, and we want to do our part to protect the environment. Our efforts include green practices like recycling, using solar to generate power, partnering with farmers to apply residuals and biosolids, wise water use education, and more. We are excited to also partner with local environmental heroes to improve, protect, and restore watersheds.” Past projects supported by Illinois American Water’s environmental grant program have included watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives, hazardous waste collection efforts, water protection education efforts, and more. To apply for an Environmental Grant, an organization’s project must take place in an Illinois American Water service area. The project must also: