Clearwater Marine Aquarium Receives $75,000 Grant from
Duke Energy Foundation Supporting the Sea Turtle Program
Clearwater Marine Aquarium has received a $75,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation for the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release Program. The funding will be utilized to enhance Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s capacity to rehabilitate sea turtles that are sick or injured and also help protect the endangered and threatened species through education of environmental stewardship.
David Yates, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium stated, “We are extremely appreciative of the support Duke Energy continues to provide Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Their donation allows us to continue and expand our mission of rescue, rehabilitation, research and release and truly be at the forefront of sea turtle medical care and ongoing programs to ensure their safety and survival.”
In 2014 alone, Clearwater Marine Aquarium has successfully rehabilitated and subsequently released 15 sea turtles. In the past ten years, CMA has provided medical care that enabled 265 sea turtles to be released back into their natural habitat.
As a nonprofit organization, Clearwater Marine Aquarium depends greatly on donations and grants to support its mission of preserving our marine life and environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation, and release.
About Clearwater Marine Aquarium:
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, nurse sharks and more. Winter the dolphin’s story of survival after injury that caused her to lose her tail has impacted millions of people around the world. A major motion picture, Dolphin Tale, highlighted her life story in 2011. The sequel, Dolphin Tale 2, was released in September 2014 and features the incredible story of Hope, a young resident dolphin of CMA. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.
About Duke Energy Foundation in Florida:
Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States with 7.2 million customers in six states. Over the foundation’s long history in local communities, it has identified focus areas that maximize the foundation’s dollars and guide the foundation’s giving. The foundation makes grants supporting the environment, economic development, education and community vitality. In 2013, the Duke Energy Foundation invested approximately $2 million in Florida for community support and charitable contributions. To learn more about Duke Energy Foundation, visit www.duke-energy.com/community.