Gov. Rendell this week announced $21 million investment in grants for a variety of land conservation projects in 38 counties.

“This investment will fund 82 projects and help preserve more than 10,800 acres of land and enhance what we treasure in Pennsylvania — our beautiful fields, forests, waterways and natural areas,” Gov. Rendell said. “Across the state, we are investing in headwaters and watersheds, wildlife habitats, expanding and enhancing existing parks and open space, and creating new opportunities for people to get outside and enjoy nature.

Funding for the grants comes from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Growing Greener II and Keystone ’93, a DCNR fund generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

Projects range from $1.5 million to the Wildlands Conservancy for the purchase of more than 2,300 acres in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties for forest land and watershed protection and recreation, to $24,000 to Scott Township in Allegheny County for the acquisition of two acres to preserve a natural area and greenway.

“Our local partners – including municipalities, counties, land trusts and conservancies – are critical to our successful efforts to protect our natural areas,” the Governor said. “Our grants help them meet the vision they have for their communities and regions.”

The statewide projects include:

· National Audubon Society, $150,000 to develop the biological design of individual Important Bird Areas throughout Pennsylvania and economic and community support to sustain them. Kim Van Fleet, 717-213-6880;

· PA CleanWays, $75,000 to provide technical assistance, promotion, training and education to establish a corps of volunteers to conduct greenway clean-ups; conduct an increased public awareness program about the Adopt-A-Greenway program; conduct up to six clean-ups at approved greenway sites; and begin phase 2 of replacing existing signage at 25-30 current and newly adopted greenway sites. Heidi Pedicone, 724-836-4121;

· Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, $185,000 to provide conservation education, training and technical assistance services for 2007-2008 including operation of the Conservation Easement Assistance Program, planning and implementation of the 2008 PALTA Conference, convening training opportunities and production of promotional materials. Andrew Loza, 717-230-8560;

· Pennsylvania Parks and Forestry Foundation, $150,000 to provide education, training and technical assistance services through a comprehensive program of outdoor recreation, event planning and implementation, develop a demonstration garden, launch a small events calendar and develop a matching grant program to leverage Friends groups' projects. Marci Mowery, 717-236-7644;

· Natural Lands Trust, $120,000 for continued development of educational materials and the training and technical assistance to municipal officials, planning consultants and community planners on the Growing Greener “Conservation by Design” Program. Ann Hutchinson, 610-353-5640;

· Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council, $50,000 to help revitalize metropolitan areas and make them more livable by planting of trees in urban sites; installation of landscaping, signs and related site improvements. Norman Lacasse, 717-652-4079;

· Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, $95,000 to produce the 2008 Greenway Sojourn; create a research report on the effect of rail-trails on adjacent real estate values in the commonwealth; administer a mini-grant program for trail improvement projects in the state; and carry out a trail user survey for one rail-trail in Pennsylvania. Susan Weaver, 717-238-1717;

· Heritage Conservancy, $7,500 to provide ongoing outreach and training on community open space investments. Michael Frank, 215-345-7020; and

· Keystone Trails Association, $69,000 for a sub-grant program to hiking organizations to purchase trail maintenance equipment and for materials and supplies for trail maintenance and construction activities such as brushing out trails, removing fallen trees, building and maintaining footbridges, building steps out of mountain stones, trail blazing, building and maintaining overnight shelters, privies and camp sites for use by backpackers. Norman Lacasse, 717-652-4079.

A complete list of grants by county is available online.

6/15/2007