RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources (NYSE: D), today announced a $375,000 award to the Elizabeth River Project to support The Learning Barge -- what has been labeled "the world's first floating wetland classroom."

"This project is another strong example of Dominion's commitment to environmental stewardship," said William C. Hall Jr., a vice president of Dominion and president of the Dominion Foundation. "Not only will students learn the value of a healthy ecosystem, they will participate in the ongoing restoration of the Elizabeth River. We are pleased to be a part of The Learning Barge."

The 120-foot-long Learning Barge (http://www.elizabethriver.org/Education-Learning-Barge.aspx) is powered by solar and wind energy. It will traverse the Elizabeth River in south Hampton Roads as it is used to teach students about environmental stewardship and highlight actions that can make the river swimmable and fishable by 2020. The barge was designed by the University of Virginia's School of Architecture and has already won national design awards.

"The Learning Barge is our most powerful education tool yet for enlisting students and citizens to restore our home river," said Marjorie Mayfield Jackson, executive director of the Elizabeth River Project. "We are so pleased that Dominion took the lead, among so many diverse partners, to make this world-first a reality."

The Elizabeth River Project and area school systems are working together to develop activities that meet Virginia Standards of Learning requirements. Civic groups also will be invited to explore the vessel's six learning stations, which include a classroom, wetland habitat and breezeway.

Dominion, its charitable foundation and its employees this year will donate millions of dollars and more than 120,000 volunteer hours in programs that help improve the quality of life for people in the states in which Dominion operates. Grant focus areas include preservation of natural and historic resources, work force development and education, diversity initiatives, neighborhood and community development, and basic needs for food and shelter.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,500 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage systems and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power
Web site: http://www.dom.com/