Recently, Natural Lands announced the award of PECO Green Region Grants to 19 municipalities and nonprofits in the PECO service territory totaling $150,000.

From improving stormwater systems to expanding a borough’s urban tree canopy, the 2021 grants will be used to begin or continue 19 projects that will improve sustainability across the Greater Philadelphia region, including:

-- Bucks County, where Warrington Township will improve the diversity of habitat, food, and shelter for local and migratory birds and other wildlife, along Segment A of the Circuit Trail, from the Rt. 202 Parkway to the Bradford Dam, which is accessible to walkers and bicyclist from both Montgomery and Bucks Counties. In Chester County, the City of Coatesville, as part of the Palmer Park Master Plan, will be able to provide a new of generation of families and youth with access to safe and innovative play and gathering spaces, space for neighboring religious groups to gather and to distribute meals to the city’s homeless populations, and a connected paved path system throughout the park.

-- In Delaware County, Parkside Borough will execute upgrades to Wes Coale Memorial Park; and in Montgomery County, Royersford Borough will rehab a trestle bridge, spanning the Royersford Borough trail to the Schuylkill River Trail, providing a safe passage for walkers and bikers without using any traffic areas.

-- In Philadelphia County, the Neighborhood Gardens Trust will focus on land preservation and capital improvements at two West Philadelphia community gardens, the Viola Garden Street Community Garden and Aspen Farms. Both gardens have been community fixtures for decades in historically disinvested predominantly African American neighborhoods.

“The projects and programs supported by the Green Region Open Space Program are innovative, people-focused and environmentally responsible,” said Mike Innocenzo, PECO president and CEO.“ I commend our community partners for their commitment to greening our region, creating and preserving open spaces, and ensuring an equitable and environmentally-just future for our communities.”

Totaling $150,000, the full list of 2021 grantees include:

-- Bucks County: Buckingham Township, Warrington Township, and Newtown Borough

-- Chester County: East Pikeland Township, Franklin Township, West Chester Borough, and the City of Coatesville

-- Delaware County: Upper Darby Township, Darby Township, Parkside Borough, and Media Borough

-- Montgomery County: Schwenksville Borough, Royersford Borough, Worcester Township, Cheltenham Township, and Springfield Township

-- Philadelphia: Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises (HACE), and The National Audubon Society.

In 2020, when life went on hold, individuals flocked to their community parks.

What the Greater Philadelphia region—and our nation—realized is that, whether it be a bridge or trail that connects one township with another, or a playground that allows our children to carefully play and our neighbors to safely gather, our open spaces and park systems are both essential infrastructure, and critical to our region’s quality of life.

They connect us with nature, and with one another; and an investment in our open spaces brings the greatest return.

Since 2004, PECO has awarded more than $2.5 million to nearly 324 projects focused on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation.

PECO Green Region is administered in partnership with Natural Lands, the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization that has preserved more than 125,000 acres.

Nearly five million people live within five miles of land under the organization’s protection.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Natural Lands website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from Natural Lands and Like them on Facebook.  Click Here to support their activities.

Natural Lands has preserved more than 125,000 acres, including 43 nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,000 acres.

Related Articles:

-- Reminder!  Deadline To Apply For DCNR Outdoor Recreation, Land Conservation, Buffer Grants April 14

-- Allegheny Land Trust Finalizes Acquisition Of 155 Acres In Girty's Woods, Allegheny County

-- South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program Funding Round Is Now Open

[Posted: April 9, 2021]

4/12/2021