It’s easy being green for 20 local municipalities and nonprofits thanks to nearly $160,000 in grant funding from PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program.

From improving walking trail accessibility and creating community gardens, to purchasing open land for conservation, this year’s grants will be used to begin projects that will help improve sustainability across the Greater Philadelphia region area.

In partnership with Natural Lands Trust, the region’s leading land conservation organization and facilitator of PECO Green Region, PECO will provide grants to the following municipalities and nonprofit organizations:

-- Bucks County: New Hope Borough ($10,000), Falls Township ($10,000) and Newtown Borough ($10,000);

-- Chester County: East Bradford Township ($10,000), East Marlborough Township ($10,000) and North Coventry Township ($10,000);

-- Delaware County: Newtown Township ($9,100), Media Borough ($715), Morton Borough ($10,000) and Norwood Borough ($10,000);

-- Montgomery County: Whitpain Township ($10,000), Upper Salford Township ($10,000), Upper Pottsgrove Township ($5,000) and Horsham Township ($5,000);

-- Philadelphia: Fairmount Park Conservancy ($7,500), Urban Creators ($7,500), Hope Partnership for Education ($5,000), Trust for Public Land ($5,000) and Roxborough Development Corporation ($5,000); and

-- York County: Delta Borough ($10,000).

Through PECO Green Region, PECO has awarded more than $1.7 million to 230 projects since the program’s inception in 2004. The program is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support environmental initiatives across southeastern Pennsylvania, including open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation.

“The municipalities and nonprofits receiving grants are doing their part to positively impact our regional landscape through innovative ‘green’ projects,” said Craig Adams, PECO president and CEO. “We’re proud to support these initiatives, which underscore PECO’s ongoing commitment to the environment and the communities we serve.”

“Research has proven time and again that green amenities like parks, natural areas, and trails are essential ingredients for healthy, prosperous communities,” noted Molly Morrison, President of Natural Lands Trust. “As always, I am impressed by the quality and creativity of the projects that were proposed and inspired by PECO’s steadfast commitment to greening our region.”

Municipalities and Philadelphia nonprofits can apply for a PECO Green Region grant of up to $10,000 per project each year. A committee comprised of representatives from PECO, county agencies and conservation organizations reviews each application and selects the projects that receive funding.

For more information, visit the Natural Lands Trust PECO Green Region webpage. For more information on PECO’s environmental programs, visit its Environment webpage.

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