WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County is accepting applications for a new round of funding to help municipalities and conservation groups preserve open space, farmland, and other significant land resources across the county.
What This Means for You
- Chester County is offering approximately $2 million in grants for open space preservation projects.
- Municipalities and nonprofit conservation groups can apply for funding through April 30.
- The program supports land preservation, recreation space, agriculture, and historic resources.
The Chester County Parks + Preservation Department’s Open Lands division has opened the latest application cycle for the Preservation Partnership Program, which provides grants to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations working to protect natural, agricultural, historic, and recreational land.
County officials say the program helps preserve land while supporting local planning efforts outlined in the county’s comprehensive land-use plan, Landscapes3.
Application Details
Applications for this year’s Preservation Partnership Program funding cycle are being accepted from March 1 through April 30.
Program guidelines, application materials, and a list of previously funded projects are available at https://www.chesco.org/.
Approximately $2 million in grant funding will be available for selected projects.
“Preserving open space is crucially important to the future of Chester County and is a tenet of the County’s strategic plan,” said Josh Maxwell, chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners.
Program Goals
The Preservation Partnership Program supports projects that protect environmentally significant land and expand public access to open space.
Eligible projects may include preservation of natural areas, agricultural land, recreational space, and historically significant properties.
Preference is given to projects that can leverage additional funding sources such as state or federal grants.
“Open space is essential in protecting clean water, supporting wildlife habitat, and providing places for outdoor recreation,” said Commissioner Marian Moskowitz, vice chair of the Board of Commissioners.
Longstanding Preservation Effort
County officials say the program has helped preserve more than 20,000 acres of land in Chester County since it was launched in 1989.
Commissioner Eric Roe said continued partnerships between local governments and conservation groups remain key to protecting the county’s landscapes.
“Chester County’s long-standing commitment to land preservation is one of the many reasons residents value living here,” Roe said.
County leaders said the preservation effort remains a priority for residents. A 2023 county “Quality of Life” survey ranked preservation of open space as one of the top concerns among residents, second only to emergency services and the county’s 9-1-1 system.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.