PEC receives Grant Awards from PA DCNR

Thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resource (DCNR), the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) will continue important recreational programs across the state. Recently funded programs include PEC’s water trail work, assistance to enhance the Explore PA Trails web site, and ongoing coordination of two conservation landscape initiatives.

DCNR is the primary source of state support for Pennsylvania recreation, parks and conservation initiatives. Grant funding from the DCNR assists hundreds of communities and organizations across Pennsylvania to plan, acquire and develop recreation and park facilities, create trails and conserve open space.

“Our grant investments work to bolster our vision for the health of our families, the vibrancy of our communities, the strength of our economy and our quality of life in Pennsylvania,” DCNR Deputy Secretary Cindy Dunn said. “These grants allow us to partner with communities so that they can expand and improve the wonderful assets that make the places we call home vibrant and attractive.”

Funding for the grants comes from Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener 1), the Growing Greener Bond Fund (Growing Greener 2) and federal funding sources.

PEC Projects that received funding include:

Laurel Highlands and Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Initiatives: $280,000 to coordinate the activities of the Laurel Highlands and Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Initiatives. Work to include facilitating the completion of priority projects in each landscape; administering a mini-grant program in the Pocono Forests and Waters; advancing trail planning and development; facilitating outreach, capacity building, and project development in Ohiopyle and Johnstown; and, providing technical assistance and support to Poconos connecting nature and commerce teams and communities. Davitt B. Woodwell, 412-481-9400

Pennsylvania Water Trails Program:  $27,000 to provide technical assistance to individual water trail managers and the public on the Pennsylvania Water Trails Program in 2012 and 2013. Work to include conducting of workshops; preparing online educational resources including use of social media techniques. Hannah Hardy, 412-481-9400.

ExplorePA Trails website: $45,000 to provide southeast trails updates to the ExplorePA Trails website for Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia; develop SE PA Trail Trips; organize National Trails Month events; and complete an assessment of regional trail maintenance and management needs. Spencer Finch, 215-545-4570.

Tidal Delaware Water Trail: $20,000 for Tidal Delaware Water Trail Implementation by providing technical assistance, training and outreach to volunteers in Bristol Borough, Bucks County and Ridley Township, Delaware County through the Tidal Delaware Stewardship Ambassador Program. Jessica Anderson, 215-545-4570.