EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County officials have approved more than $1 million in grants for a dozen conservation projects.
- Northampton County Council on Thursday approved $1.09 million in conservation grants
- Twelve projects were funded
- Priorities include land conservation, ecological restoration, education and outreach, municipal park development and rehabilitation and regional trails
“The best way to fight the nonstop warehouse proliferation is to preserve and protect our open space,” county Executive Lamont G. McClure said.
“The Northampton County Livable Landscapes Grant Program does just that. It supports our municipalities and non-profit organizations to protect the county’s important natural features and provide outdoor recreation for future generations.”
"The best way to fight the nonstop warehouse proliferation is to preserve and protect our open space. The Northampton County Livable Landscapes Grant Program does just that."Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure
County Council on Thursday unanimously approved each project and its funding for a total grant award of $1.09 million, officials said.
Land conservation, ecological restoration, education
The program’s priorities include land conservation, ecological restoration, education and outreach, municipal park development and rehabilitation, and regional trails.
“We commend the grant recipients on high-quality projects,” Sherry Acevedo, conservation coordinator and Livable Landscapes grant administrator, said.
“Unified themes included improvements to accessibility, stormwater management, outdoor recreation, green infrastructure, trails, stream corridors and environmentally sensitive land conservation.”
Projects include: $75,000 for improvements to Reinhard’s Park in Hellertown; and $35,000 for stormwater improvements and a tennis and pickleball project in Lower Mount Bethel Township.
Also, $47,500 for Moore Township’s parks, recreation and open space plan; $187,500 for the Easton Trailhead acquisition project; $262,000 for the Nordstrom property conservation easement; and others.
“Through the dedicated funding from county council, we can provide our municipalities with the funds to assist their immediate residents and improve the environment,” Parks and Recreation Superintendent Bryan Cope said.
“Though most of these go directly to our municipalities, they also implement the goals that we strive to perfect in our county park system.”
This year’s grant application round opened in January, with applications due March 30, according to program details available online. Applicants participated in a grant workshop and individualized meetings before a review committee approved funding.
Since 2006, the county has invested more than $19 million in Livable Landscapes grant awards.
