On October 5, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a $52.5 million investment for more than 225 recreation and conservation projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources, and help revitalize local communities.

“Our Commonwealth has incredible outdoor spaces – and for me, there’s no better place to be than on a Pennsylvania trail. So today, I’m proud to announce that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, led by Secretary Cindy Dunn, has awarded more than $52 million to over 225 local projects across the Commonwealth that will help communities like Bethlehem connect more trails, improve more parks, and help more Pennsylvanians just enjoy their time outside,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “Our local parks and natural spaces are hometown treasures in our neighborhoods – in urban cities and rural towns alike. Communities across Pennsylvania should know that my Administration is ready to work with you to protect and invest in your local treasures.”

Investments are being made in a variety of proposals, including: 23 trail projects; protecting nearly 6,835 acres of open space; 13 projects for river conservation; 13 community and watershed forestry projects; and 99 projects to develop or rehabilitate recreation, park and conservation areas and facilities.

DCNR recently announced nearly $1.4 million in funding for 10 ATV and snowmobile facilities and trails projects.

Visit the DCNR website for a complete list of grants awarded by county.

Watershed Forest Projects

Here is a list of some of the watershed forest project funded in this round of grants, by county--

Adams County

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Inc., $90,000, Installation of approximately 10 acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed in Adams County. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; buffer plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. Sarah Cayton, (443) 482-2101, ESF

Allegheny County

-- Allegheny Land Trust, $81,500, Prepare a flow study for Big Sewickley Creek Watershed, Allegheny County. Work to include an electronic written report. Alyson Fearon, (412) 741-2750 ext. 204, ESF

-- Allegheny Land Trust, $229,000, Installation of approximately 1.5 acres of meadows and/or upland trees and engagement of residents in planting and caring for trees at the former St. John's Hospital site in Brighton Heights neighborhood in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. Work to include an electronic written summary report. Alyson Fearon, (412) 741-2750 ext. 204, ESF

--  Landforce (Pittsburgh Conservation Corps), $80,000, Coordinate workforce development to improve urban forests and watersheds in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County for years 2024-2025 and create a model for community forests from planting to wood reuse. Work to include an electronic written summary report. Ilyssa Manspeizer, (412) 727-6936, ESF

Chester County

-- Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, $115,000, Restoration of 1,850 feet of Bucktoe Creek in New Garden Township, Chester County. Work to include streambank stabilization; installation of instream habitat structures, riparian forest buffer; landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. Brian Winslow, (302) 893-1441, ESF

-- Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, $50,300, Installation of approximately 7 acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Lower Delaware River Watershed in Chester County. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; buffer plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. Brian Winslow, (302) 893-1441, Keystone Tree

-- French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Inc., $159,700, Installation of approximately 4.5 acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways and approximately 7 acres of meadows and/or upland trees in the French Creek Watershed, Chester County. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. Bill Gladden, (610) 933-7577 ext. 116, ESF

Chester and Delaware Counties

-- Willistown Conservation Trust, Inc., $50,900, Installation of approximately 10 acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Lower Delaware River Watershed in Chester and Delaware counties. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; buffer plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. Lauren McGrath, (610) 353-2562, Keystone Tree

Clarion, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties

-- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, $62,100, Restoration of streams in the Redbank Creek Watershed in Clarion, Clearfield, and Jefferson counties. Work to include streambank stabilization, habitat improvements and riparian forest buffer plantings; project sign and related site improvements. Kylie Maland, (814) 776-1114, Key Rivers

Delaware County

-- John J Tyler Arboretum, $103,800, Installation of approximately 1 acre of riparian forest buffer and engage residents in planting and caring for trees at the Tyler Arboretum in Delaware County. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. Work to include an electronic written summary report. Mike Karkowski, (610) 566-9134 ext. 222, ESF

Lehigh County

-- Wildlands Conservancy, Inc., $121,800, Restoration of approximately 1,100 feet of Laurel Run in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County. Work to include streambank stabilization; installation of instream habitat structures, riparian forest buffer planting; landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. Kate Ebel, (610) 965-4397 ext. 137, Key Rivers

Monroe

-- Wildlands Conservancy, Inc., $52,800, Restoration of approximately 575 feet of Forest Hills Run in Paradise Township, Monroe County. Work to include streambank stabilization; installation of instream habitat structures and riparian buffer; landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. Kate Ebel, (610) 965-4397 ext. 137, Key Rivers

Northampton County

-- Bushkill Stream Conservancy, $114,000, Further restoration of approximately 1,500 feet of Bushkill Creek within Binney and Smith Preserve in Palmer Township, Northampton County. Work to include streambank stabilization; installation of instream habitat structures, riparian forest buffer, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. Kathy Altmann, (610) 253-0351, Key Rivers

-- Northampton County, $80,000, Installation of approximately 20 acres of meadows at public parks in Northampton County. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. Bryan Cope, (610) 829-6402, ESF

Statewide/Regional

--Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc., $260,000, Installation of approximately 15 acres of riparian forest buffers and approximately 10 acres of meadows and/or upland trees; engage residents in planting and caring for trees along streets, in parks, and in other public spaces in the Susquehanna River Watershed in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. Rebecca Lauver, (717) 823-7076, ESF and Keystone Tree

Bethlehem Project

“These projects will fund critical improvements to local parks, river access and trails across the Commonwealth, which will bring outdoor recreation amenities closer to home and improve access in our communities,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “We are here today in Bethlehem to highlight the importance of trails in DCNR’s strategic goals. Trails boost quality of life, and the role trails play as connectors is key in increasing Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness. I thank the City of Bethlehem for prioritizing access to trails and being an example that investing in trails is key in spurring revitalization efforts and economic growth in our communities.”

As part of this investment, Bethlehem is receiving a $500,000 grant to help with land acquisition that will connect the South Bethlehem Greenway to the Saucon Rail Trail.

This connection would create 14 miles of contiguous trail in the region and close one of the state’s Top 10 Trail Gaps, while also improving a robust trail network in the Lehigh Valley.

“The South Bethlehem Greenway is a meeting place on the southside where people frequently walk, run, bike, and come together as a community,” said Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds. “Investments in recreation and conservation projects of these types are key in improving the city for residents and as a destination for visitors. We thank DCNR for continued support of this project and our park revitalization efforts in the city.”

Closed 5 Of 10 Trail Gaps

DCNR has closed five major trail gaps since identifying its Top 10 Trail Gaps in 2014.

Two have been added by the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee, which assess trail needs based on the agency’s list of priority trail gaps. DCNR’s Top 10 Trail Gaps and priority trail gaps list were developed to prioritize strategic investments.

“It’s thanks to strong local, state, and federal collaboration that we’ll close the trail’s gap and get this important project done—and with it, grow our economy and foster community right here in our backyards,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild (PA-07). “I’m very proud to have secured a $2.7 million federal investment in the Bethlehem Greenway Trail, and I’ll continue to work alongside the Commonwealth and the City of Bethlehem to make this resource a reality for our community.”

“The South Bethlehem Greenway has been a ribbon of connectivity in our community for 20 years," said Rep. Steve Samuelson. "Thank you, Governor Shapiro, for this critical funding to enable the Greenway and the Saucon Rail Trail to connect for 20 miles.”

New Grant Round Opening

The grants are administered by the DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2).

Funding comes from the Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax; the Environmental Stewardship Fund; the ATV/Snowmobile Fund generated through fees for licenses; and federal monies.

The next application period for C2P2 grants opens January 16, 2024.  The deadline to apply is April 3, 2024.

Click Here to attend a free DCNR workshop on how to apply for a grant.

Visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program webpage for more information.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, 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.

NewsClips:

-- Courier Times: Our Picks To View Fall Foliage In Bucks County, When It’s Best

-- PA Wilds Center Receives $736,000 US. Economic Development Administration Grant To Stimulate Region’s Tourism, Outdoor Recreation Economy

--  Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County Officials Tout Ghost Town Trail Signs As Safety Boost

-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Bridging The Gap - A Vision For Recreation In Marianna And Beyond

-- Republican Herald: Walk In Penn’s Woods ‘Well Attended’ At Penn State Schuylkill

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Tree Cover Declines, Pavement Spreads Across Chesapeake Watershed, Lancaster, Chester, Cumberland, York Counties Included

-- Penn State Dept. Of Ecosystem Science & Management: Guide To Seed Selection For Planting Resilient Forests

-- Penn State Extension: Spotted Lanternfly News: Online Permit Training; Removing Eggs; Follow BMPs; More!

-- Courier Times: Lower Makefield Unveils Big Plans For Preserved Patterson Farm Makeover

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Fall Is A Great Time To Landscape With Native Plants In Erie

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Philly Breaks Ground On $7 Million 10-Acre Waterfront Park In Bridesburg

-- WHYY: Philly’s Latest Riverfront Park Will Rise From Site Of An Old Concrete Factory In Bridesburg

-- Courier Times: Best Parks In SE PA To Observe Comets, Meteor Showers

-- PennLive: PA House Passes Bill To Would Allow Cities To Crack Down On Illegal Dirt Bikes, ATVs

-- PennLive: Student Suffers Serious Head Injuries In Fall Cleaning Up Trash On Jacoby Falls Trail In Lycoming County

Related Articles:

-- Center For Rural Pennsylvania: Rural Population To Shrink 5.8%; Fewer Young People, More Older People; Current Policies Failed To Sustain Communities, Ensure Long-Term Rural Resiliency  [PaEN]

-- DCNR: 2nd Fall Foliage Report Shows ‘Best Color’ Appearing In 6 Northern Tier Counties  [PaEN]

-- Agencies Celebrate Eastern Hellbender License Plate Recognizing PA’s Clean Water Ambassador; Shale Gas Development On DCNR Land Threatens Habitat  [PaEN]

-- Member Of Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group Briefs DCNR Advisory Council On Siting Of Shale Gas Well Pad On State Forest Land To Accommodate Taking Gas From Private Land In Tioga County  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Announces Appointment Of Seth Cassell As Pennsylvania's 18th State Forester  [PaEN]

-- House Committee Hears Benefits Of Forested Stream Buffers-- Increasing Property Values, Water Quality Improvements, Reduced Impacts From Flooding; Builders, Republican Chair Worried About A ‘Taking’ Of Property  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: 633 Acres Of Drake's Creek Watershed In Carbon County Preserved By Lehigh Valley's Wildlands Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- 414 Acres Of Forestland Added To Elk State Forest In Cameron County By Western PA Conservancy  [PaEN]

-- Western PA Conservancy Begins Accepting Canoe Access Development Grants Oct. 16  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Invites Letters Of Interest To Serve On PA Trails Advisory Committee  [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In September Now Available  [PaEN]

-- Governor's Advisory Council For Hunting, Fishing & Conservation Seeks Candidates For Game Commission Board  [PaEN]

[Posted: October 5, 2023]

10/9/2023