On November 15, Gov. Tom Wolf announced an investment of $50 million for 280 projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources and help revitalize local communities by DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

Investments are being made in a variety of proposals, including: 39 trail projects; protecting nearly 4,172 acres of open space; 10 projects for planting riparian buffers along streams; 16 projects for rivers conservation; and 126 projects to develop or rehabilitate recreation, park and conservation areas and facilities.

“Many of the projects being funded – improvements to local parks, trails and river access – bring opportunities for outdoor recreation closer to home, and are the features that help attract families, visitors, and businesses that provide jobs to communities,” Gov. Wolf said. “This $50 million in grants will support communities throughout Pennsylvania working to protect and improve natural amenities for our citizens.”

Funding comes from the Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax; the Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund; the ATV/Snowmobile Fund generated through fees for licenses; and federal monies including the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

In addition, more than $2.1million is being provided to PA Heritage Areas for projects including advancing river and trail towns, closing gaps in Pennsylvanian’s destination trails, developing heritage tourism initiatives, improving educational and interpretative signage and planning and marketing heritage tourism events.

The grants are administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Click Here for a list of projects funded by county.

New DCNR Grant Round

To learn more about other available grant opportunities to support riparian buffer, trail and recreation projects, visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Grant Program webpage. A new grant round is opening January 22.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Photo: Montour Trail in Allegheny, Washington Counties, 2017 PA Trail Of The Year.)

NewsClips:

Sen. Yaw Announces State Investments In Local Park, Recreation Opportunities

Chester County Conservation, Recreation Project Get Funding Infusion

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[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]

11/19/2018