Six local environmental projects in four Southeast counties were selected this week as the first recipients of the Green Region Program, the PECO Energy municipal open space grant program.

The first recipients include:

Plumstead Township, Bucks County: The Pin Oak Grove Riparian Buffer Project at Summer Meadow -- PECO has awarded a $5,800 grant to fund beautification work with this designated open space area.

West Whiteland, Chester County: The Boot Road Butterfly Garden -- An $8,200 grant was awarded to fund the construction of a butterfly garden in a new community park currently under development.

West Pikeland, Chester County: The Pickering Trail – A $5,000 grant has been awarded to secure matching funds for services to complete the Pickering Trail, creating winding country walkways and conservancy lands with potential for regional linkages to Phoenixville and Philadelphia

Ridley Township, Delaware County: Ridley Marina -- A $10,000 grant has been awarded to fund the planning of new improvements to Ridley Township’s municipal marina, including boat, vehicle and pedestrian access.

Cheltenham, Montgomery County: The Cresheim Trail Feasibility Study -- PECO has awarded a $10,000 grant to provide funding for a feasibility study for the development of a trail to connect communities in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, including the Green Ribbon Trail, Wissahickon Creek Trails, Cresheim Creek Trail, and along abandoned railroad tracks through Philadelphia County, and Cheltenham and Springfield townships.

Plymouth Township, Montgomery County: The Harriet Wetherhill Park Master Site Plan -- A $10,000 grant has been awarded to help permanently reserve the Harriet Wetherhill Park for ecological education, nature walks, passive recreation, and public use.

Through the Green Region Program, PECO assists municipalities in southeastern Pennsylvania with ongoing efforts to protect and improve open land with grants of up to $10,000. As much as $100,000 in funding is available during 2005.

Green Region is administered by the Natural Lands Trust, a non-profit land conservation group.

The deadline for the next grant applications for the Green Region Program is September 1.

4/8/2005