Huron River Watershed Council – $25,000

This grant supports the expansion of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) in three southeast Michigan communities—Ypsilanti, Belleville, and Van Buren Township—that have been identified as having the watershed’s highest flood vulnerability and greatest environmental justice concerns. In this project, HRWC will pair public listening sessions with the development of 2–3 site-specific GSI concept designs and the installation of household rain gardens to build community ownership of nature-based stormwater solutions in places historically underserved by GSI investment. The grant aligns with Americana's Natural Resources program priority by supporting community-led, replicable watershed protection efforts that reduce polluted runoff, improve water quality in the Huron River (and ultimately Lake Erie), and strengthen local capacity for long-term stormwater resilience. The focus on vulnerable communities—where environmental and socioeconomic burdens intersect—aligns closely with the Foundation’s commitment to equitable, watershed-scale impact.