PHILADELPHIA, (May 8, 2008) – PECO has identified three Bucks County municipalities with projects focusing on open space conservation and parks and recreational resources to receive $25,000 in grant funding.  The grants are being made through the PECO Green Region program, which assists municipalities in southeastern Pennsylvania with ongoing efforts to protect and improve open land.

Including those in Bucks County, PECO has identified 15 different projects from across the Philadelphia region to receive more than $110,000 in Green Region grants this summer.  Since the Green Region program’s beginning in 2005, PECO has provided nearly a half million dollars toward qualifying projects.

“PECO is proud to support programs that improve our environment and the quality of life for our customers,” said Denis O’Brien, PECO president and CEO.  “It is pleasing to know that by working together we can identify ways to improve the environment throughout the region.”

Municipalities may apply for a Green Region grant of up to $10,000 per project.  A committee, which includes representatives from PECO, Exelon, county agencies and conservation organizations, reviews applications and issues the grants.  The grant program is administered by Natural Lands Trust, the region’s largest land conservation organization.

Bucks County’s recipients for 2008 awards are:

Doylestown Township: $5,200 for the construction of the Environmental Education Trail, which will allow residents to observe and learn about wetlands.  The trail is an important addition to the Township’s Environmental Education Area which currently includes an outdoor classroom, bird blinds and multiple interpretive areas.

Lower Southampton Township:  $9,800 to update the Playwicki Farm management plan to provide a temporary intern, and to design and install an educational sign at the trailhead for the public.  Playwicki farm is the last remaining working farm and unprotected open space in the township.  The plan update will include such things as an ADA compliant trail system and benches, historically correct repairs to the farmhouse, and the use of only native plants in all landscape projects. The intern will be hired to perform maintenance tasks for a three-month period.

Middletown Township: $10,000 for the Chub Run Acquisition Project. Specifically, the funds will help with the purchase of property on West Lincoln Highway that will add to the existing buffer area along Chub Run, a tributary to Neshaminy Creek. Preserving this property will aid in restoring the Chub Run Floodplain and increase buffer area along the creek which reduces stream velocity and volume during storms, while enhancing water quality and improving wildlife habitat.