Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of Recreation and Conservation

BRC Update Governor Corbett announced that $38 million has been invested in recreation, conservation and community revitalization projects statewide. The Community Conservation Partnership Program grants will support 201 conservation and recreation projects in 62 counties. The grants will fund a variety of proposals, including 36 trail projects; protecting 2,718 acres of open space; 77 community parks; five river conservation projects; and 35 projects for regional and statewide heritage area, park, greenway and trail initiatives. “Pennsylvania’s parks and trails; natural areas; and many opportunities to be active outdoors, on land and on our great rivers and streams, define our communities and make them places where people want to live, work and play,” Corbett said. “These grants will help our local partners – including municipalities, counties, land trusts and conservancies – to meet the vision they have for their communities and regions.” More than $3.1 million of the total investment is being provided to Heritage Areas for projects and programs including: conducting an economic impact study on the Heritage Areas program; further development of the Delaware &Lehigh and Lackawanna River Heritage trails; water trail enhancements, river town assessments; scenic byways; and planning and marketing heritage tourism events. “Our more than $38 million investment will leverage at least $70 million in local, county and private investments, giving every state dollar more power for the public good,” Corbett said. For a complete list of grants by county, visit: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/brcinteractivemapping1/grantannouncements/index.htm. Nominations are now being accepted for the DCNR 2014 Green Parks Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize excellence in the public park and recreation community for those who demonstrate the integration of green and sustainable practices in their facilities. If you feel your site exemplifies green and sustainable practices complete the nomination form and submit it before January 31, 2014. For more information, and to obtain a copy of the nomination form, visit our Green Park Award webpage. Lackawanna Heritage Valley held a ribbon cutting and grand opening on December 5 for a new section of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Check out the event video that captures the many benefits of this new section to area residents and businesses. The Powdermill Section (named for the remains of a nearby gun powder mill along the river) spans three miles from Jermyn Borough to Archibald Borough in Lackawanna County, and completes an eight-mile section of trail that will link eight municipalities in the Mid-Valley area. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is part of a 70-mile multi-purpose trail system that follows the Lackawanna River. It begins at the confluence of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna rivers in Pittston, Luzerne County, and continues north where it connects with the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail. The voting for 2014 River of the Year is ongoing until December 27! Make sure you cast your vote for one of the five rivers that have been nominated: Brodhead Creek and Watershed in the Poconos Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh Rivers in the Laurel Highlands The Ohio River in the western part of the state The Schuylkill River in the eastern part of the state The West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the north central section of the state Visit http://pariveroftheyear.org/ to vote and learn about the nominated waterways and the River of the Year program. Check out our facebook page, and while you are there please “like” and “friend” us! To check out other Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Updates click here.