EASTON, Pa. — More than a dozen Lehigh Valley organizations will share $109,800 in environmental conservation mini grants, officials announced Tuesday.
Northampton County is getting $6,600 towards the creation of a sensory garden at Louise W. Moore Park, and the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation is receiving $10,000 to support organized bike rides through the Valley.
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.Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape
“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,” according to a news release from Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape. “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.”
The program is funded by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and administered by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
Funding was awarded “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,” according to the release.
In 2023, more than a dozen organizations across the Valley were awarded $86,500 through the program.
Below, find a listing of the 2024 awards, organized into four categories: Land Conservation and Restoration, Outdoor Recreation & Trail Connections, Community Revitalization and Education and Outreach.
Land Conservation and Restoration
- Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley: $6,000 to support conversion of a 120 foot-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: $12,000 to support conversion of three 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: $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 four Lehigh County demonstration gardens, and Phase II improvements at Resilience Park.
Education and Outreach
- Lehigh Gap Nature Center: $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.
To learn more about Lehigh Valley Greenways, go to www.lvgreenways.org.
