Bethlehem (November 7, 2019)- State Senator Lisa M. Boscola announced today that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has awarded Recreation and Conservation grants through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) specifically for Rivers Conservation and Riparian Forest Buffers[1]. 

“Through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Commonwealth is able to partner in local initiative to improve the quality of life in our community,” Boscola said.  “It is important for us to protect and restore our environment now so future generations can enjoy it years to come.  These grants will play an important role in protecting critical watersheds throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond,” Boscola added.

Northampton County was approved for a $150,000 grant for a project focused on the restoration of 0.5 miles of Monocacy Creek in Archibald Johnston Conservation Area, located in the City of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Township.

Wildlands Conservancy was awarded five grants totaling $419,000 for projects impacting not only Lehigh and Northampton Counties, but that will also stretch through multiple counties in northeastern and southeastern Pennsylvania.  These grants include:

·         $50,000 to complete riparian forest buffer related outreach to streamside landowners in the Lehigh River Watershed;

·         $88,000, Construction of approximately 15 acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Lehigh River Watershed;

·         $131,000, Restoration of Jordan Creek at Trexler Nature Preserve;

·         $100,000, Restoration of Oughoughton Creek in Northampton County;

·         $50,000, Restoration of Upper Bushkill Creek.


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[1] The C2P2 program is administered by DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation to provide financial and technical assistance to local governments, rail and trail organizations, land trusts and other non-profits for park, recreation, conservation and greenway projects.  The Recreation and Conservation grant program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources including, the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93) which includes Key-Community and Key-Land Trust; the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF).