The PECO Green Region Open Space program awards grants for southeastern Pennsylvania municipal efforts to preserve, protect, and improve open spaces.
Donor Name: Natural Lands
State: Pennsylvania
County: Bucks County (PA), Chester County (PA), Delaware County (PA), Montgomery County (PA), York County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Recognizing that open space in the communities is crucial to the quality of the lives, PECO has committed to supporting municipalities, recreational authorities, and non-profits in southeastern Pennsylvania with their ongoing efforts to preserve, protect, and improve public spaces and increase the collective tree cover. PECO designed the PECO Green Region Open Space Program to assist local communities in these efforts by providing funding for some expenses not otherwise covered by state or county programs.
Funding Information
Grants are awarded in amounts up to $10,000 and may be used to fund up to 50% of the project, with 50% or greater of project expenses covered by cash match.
Eligible Project
Improving open space owned by municipalities, organizations, or regional recreational authorities, not including property owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Funds may be used for habitat improvements, such as improving or installing woodlands, riparian buffers, and meadows. Funds may also be used for the installation of capital improvements for passive recreation, such as ADA accessibility improvements, trails, boardwalks, kiosks, observation platforms, and installation of LED and energy efficient lighting. Fund expenditures may also include planning costs or fees for consultants, such as landscape architects, park designers, botanists, and engineers.
For the purposes of this program, passive recreation refers to activities that place minimal stress on a site’s resources and as a result provide ecosystem service benefits, such as improved water and air quality.
Developing or updating open space plans and feasibility studies. Expenses may include consultant fees, costs associated with obtaining public input (hall rental, advertising, etc.), and publication costs.
Acquisition (by purchase or donation) of parcels of land to be used for open space. Expenses may include purchase costs, legal or consultant fees, surveying, environmental assessments, and appraisals.
Acquisition (by purchase or donation) of conservation easements (also known as “development rights”). Eligible expenses may include purchase costs, legal or consultant fees, surveying, environmental assessments, and appraisals.
In an effort to expand tree canopy in southeastern Pennsylvania, PECO encourages applicants to incorporate tree plantings into their application’s project proposal, including details such as number and species of trees to be planted. While such endeavors are not a required element of the grant application, Review Committee members will look favorably upon their inclusion in the application.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any township, borough, city, or regional recreational authority within PECO’s service territory in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or York Counties. Eligible applicants must receive gas and/or electric service from PECO. Please check with the PECO Green Region Program Administrator if you are unsure if your municipality is eligible.
- Incorporated non-profit organizations within the City of Philadelphia, including neighborhood organizations such as “Friends” groups, but exclusive of religious organizations unless programs are non-denominational.
- PECO does not provide grants to individuals.
- Recipients of PECO Green Region funding awards from the 2024 Round and 2024 Bonus Round are ineligible to apply for the 2025 Round. Recipients of PECO Green Region funding awards from the 2023 Round and prior are eligible to apply to the 2025 Round once their prior award is officially closed out.
For more information, visit Natural Lands.
