Over $100,000 awarded to support conservation, recreation, and education in the Lehigh Valley
(Easton, July 9) Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape has announced new awards totaling close to $110,000 in grants to advance the goals of land conservation and restoration, outdoor recreation and trail connections, community revitalization through green infrastructure, and environmental education and outreach throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties.
The Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini Grant Program is a reimbursement grant program funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and administered by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC). The purpose of the Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini Grant Program is to protect and promote natural resources through the implementation of ready-to-go, single-year projects.
The 2024 Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini Grant application period closed on March 8 and attracted a large group of applications requesting $151,000. Lehigh Valley Greenways has awarded $109,800 in support of 16 projects.
2024 Mini Grant Recipients
Land Conservation and Restoration
- Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, $6,000, to support conversion of a 120ft long grass swale to a bioswale that supports native plant life in Hanover Township, Northampton County.
- Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, $7,100, to support riparian buffer and wetland enhancement along Laurel Run, a tributary to the Saucon Creek, at Meadow Park in Coopersburg.
- Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), $12,000, to support conversion of 3 acres of turf at LCCC’s Main Campus in Schnecksville into no-mow meadows by removing invasive species and planting native grasses and wildflowers.
- Lower Nazareth Township, $13,000, to support planting of 70 native, deciduous trees at Newburg Park.
- Northampton County, $6,600, to support installation of a 0.25-acre sensory garden at Louise W. Moore Park, with over 450 native plants, aromatic herbs, and accessible pathways.
- Wildlands Conservancy, $6,000, to support maintenance of 18 riparian buffer planting sites, through invasive species management, resulting in 40 acres of improved riparian habitat on properties throughout the Lehigh Valley.
- Upper Macungie Township, $4,600, to support the planting of 19 mature, native trees at Lone Lane Park.
Outdoor Recreation & Trail Connections
- Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT), $10,000, to support CAT-led bike rides connecting communities to trails across the Lehigh Valley. These guided, group bike rides encompass several series offered to participants at no cost, including, Women’s Weekly Rides, Over-the-Hill senior rides, and community rides to local businesses.
- Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, $13,500, to support the Lehigh Valley Trail Inventory project, an analysis that will assist in increasing connectivity by updating extensive trail data, identifying top trail gaps, and providing trail crossing information.
- Whitehall Township (Ironton Rail Trail Commission), $4,000, to support replacement of deteriorated wooden slats on 10 memorial benches along the Ironton Rail Trail with weatherproof, low maintenance plastic slats.
Community Revitalization
- Greater Easton Development Partnership, $3,200, to support installation of water bottle refilling station at Scott Park in Easton.
- Lehigh County Conservation District, $3,200, to support planting of perennial plugs at 4 Lehigh County demonstration gardens, and Phase II improvements at Resilience Park.
Education and Outreach
- Lehigh Gap Nature Center (LGNC), $4,500, to support Allentown Conservation Career Explorations, a series of free, place-based environmental education programs for youth and young adults participating in the 2024 & 2025 Allentown Summer Playground Program. Program to be delivered by LGNC, in partnership with Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center and Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation.
- Lehigh County Conservation District, $2,500, to support “Seasonal Wild Walks.” These free, outdoor experiences are designed to promote inclusion, access, and availability of green spaces in Lehigh County.
- Northampton County, $3,600, to support planning and implementation of public celebration highlighting Northampton County’s 50th Anniversary and accomplishments of Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape Partnership, in tandem with 2024 Lehigh River Sojourn.
- Mindful Child Initiative, $10,000, to support conservation workshops for 1,100 4th grade Allentown School District youth and their surrounding community. The program will focus on building environmental ambassadors, in partnership with Reset Outdoors.
