Three Capital Region communities are receiving state funds to improve water quality, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday. 

The Radix Ecological Sustainability Center will receive $65,625 to continue operation of the company’s solar-powered boat that is used to monitor artificial floating wetlands in the Hudson River near Albany’s South End neighborhood.

In Columbia County, the Columbia Land Conservancy will receive $75,000 to create a conservation and open space plan. 

In Rensselaer County, Riverkeeper Inc. will receive $150,000 to continue working with Princeton Hydro to conduct hydrologic and hydraulic modeling on Kenwood Mill Dam on Mill Creek and design final engineering plans. 

These awards are part of the more than $1.8 million the state is awarding for 26 projects to help communities along the Hudson River Estuary improve water quality, enhance environmental education and advance stewardship to protect communities from the impacts of climate change, the state said in a news release.