04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Get To Know The REAL Growing Greener Program
|
|
The original Growing Greener Program proposed by Gov. Ridge in 1999 and later expanded by Gov. Schweiker was focused on helping Pennsylvania meet federal Clean Water Act mandates, watershed restoration, upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure, preserving farmland and funding State Park and local recreation facilities. The original Growing Greener Program empowered communities to clean up rivers and streams, protect working farms and special places, create and improve parks and trails, and revitalize cities and towns.
The original Growing Greener remains the largest single investment in conservation, recreation and environmental projects ever made by the Commonwealth.
Starting in 2005, the Rendell Administration and some in the General Assembly did a bait and switch. The program's name stayed the same, but it was expanded to fund all types of projects that had nothing to do with environmental restoration like parking garages, wind mills and solar panels, energy efficiency tax credits and historic preservation.
Unfortunately, many people forget the original focus of Growing Greener and that's causing confusion.
The Renew Growing Greener Coalition of more than 250 groups and representatives of county and local governments representing over 7 million Pennsylvanians want to return the program to its roots of funding projects with real and lasting environmental benefits, not parking garages.
Specifically, the Coalition wants to refocus Growing Greener on:
-- Restoring Our Water & Land – bringing streams back to life and protecting drinking water
-- Conserving Our Working Farms & Forests - securing our food and timber supplies
-- Saving Our Special Places – protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat, greenways, trails, hunting grounds, fishing areas and community open space, including local, county and state parks and forests.
-- Greening Our Communities – revitalizing waterfronts and parks, planting trees, creating neighborhood gardens, reduce flooding and preserving history
-- Creating Outdoor Recreation Opportunities - walking, biking, hunting, fishing, playing sports, picnicking and enjoying the quiet and peace of nature.
The real Growing Greener Program created a legacy of success, restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands, preserving more than 103,000 acres of Pennsylvania’s family farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, adding 26,000 acres to State Parks and forests and capping more than 2,100 abandoned wells.
You can find out how the Growing Greener Program has benefited you and your county by going to the online database of more than 4,000 projects funded by the program.
To find out more about the REAL Growing Greener Program, follow these links--
|
|
11/14/2011 |
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |
