PECO Green Region
For decades, Natural Lands has administered the PECO Green Region program, which awards grants for southeastern Pennsylvania municipal efforts to preserve, protect, and improve open spaces.
legacy of impact
Natural Lands is pleased to administer the PECO Green Region Open Space Program. Recognizing that open space in our communities is a crucial element of the quality of our lives, the PECO program awards grants for southeastern Pennsylvania municipal and non-profit (within the City of Philadelphia) efforts to preserve, protect, and improve open spaces.
Since 2004 the program has awarded municipalities and non-profit organizations in southeastern Pennsylvania more than $3.15 million for almost 400 individual open space improvement projects. The total population of communities receiving grants is 3 million, representing 75 percent of the five-county region’s residents.
Listen to a conversation with Natural Lands and our partners about the impacts of 20 years of the PECO Green Region program.
listen nowAmong other enhancements, these grants have:
- funded the planting of almost 9,000 trees,
- saved more than 400 acres of open space,
- supported more than 150 upgrades to local parks,
- built or improved more than 50 miles of trails, and
- improved access to natural areas.
application
The application period for the 2024 Regular Round and 2024 20th Anniversary Bonus Round of funding is now closed. Project proposals are reviewed and evaluated by a committee comprised of county government officials, members of the region’s non-profit land conservation community, and PECO representatives. All applicants to both rounds are contacted regarding the final determination of their application(s).
Please check back here in summer 2025 for an announcement regarding the next round of funding.
stewardship planning
Natural areas don’t take care of themselves. They need our help so that people, plants, and wildlife can all thrive.
in your community
Natural Lands is creating park master plans, designing trail networks, and helping communities make the most of their open space opportunities.
planning and landscape architecture
We help municipalities make the most of their open space investments through a range of consulting services.
