Nicor Gas-sponsored grant supports continued restoration of Des Plaines River tributary

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Sept. 10, 2019

Nicor Gas is proud to support the conservation efforts of the Sugar Creek Restoration Project with a grant that will help address the loss of wetland and plant habitat for avian and aquatic species native in the area. 

Working with community partners such as the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, DuPage County, Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District and Elmhurst Park District, the project will remove a dam to assist fish passage, stabilize 2,400 linear feet of shoreline and assist wetland creation and naïve plantings at the Sugar Creek Golf Course in Villa Park, Illinois. 

The $47,000 Nicor Gas-supported conservation grant was made possible through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program, which supports projects that develop community stewardship of natural resources and address water quality issues in priority watersheds across the country. 

The Five Star grants are awarded through a partnership between Nicor Gas’ parent Southern Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and other public and private funders. This year the program awarded 46 grants totaling $1.7 million to improve water quality and aquatic habitat benefiting species and communities in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Grantees have pledged an additional $4.4 million, creating a total conservation impact of more than $6.1 million. 

“It is vital to protect and preserve the natural resources in Illinois,” said Melvin D. Williams, president of Nicor Gas. “Our longstanding partnership with the NFWF and the Five Stars and Urban Waters Restoration Program are fundamental to our commitment to improve the communities where we live, work and serve, and make customers’ lives better.” 

Sugar Creek is a tributary of Salt Creek, which ultimately drain to the Des Plaines River. This conservation work is one small segment of the larger Lower Salt Creek Watershed-Based Plan. The Sugar Creek Restoration Project is expected to begin in October and conclude next year. 

About Nicor Gas  
Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.2 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.  

About Southern Company Gas  
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and 685,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.   


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Media Contact:  
Jennifer Golz  
o: 630.388.3737 | c: 331.222.8716 | jgolz@southernco.com