Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Receives $1 Million to Support Urban and Community Forestry Initiatives

Part of PA’s Shapiro Administration $79 Million Investment to Expand Recreation,  Community Revitalization Efforts Across Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia, PA – On November 12, 2024, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) was awarded $1 million in funding to support its vital urban and community forestry initiatives. This investment will bolster PHS's widely acclaimed tree programs, which play a transformative role in advancing health and well-being in the Philadelphia region. Through initiatives like the Tree Tenders program, PHS empowers community members to plant, care for, and maintain trees in their neighborhoods, fostering environmental stewardship and strengthening community bonds. 

The award will help expand PHS tree plantings, tree care and maintenance, and community engagement in communities of Philadelphia, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties over a four-year period. Guided by the Philly Tree Plan and its identification of seven priority neighborhoods in Philadelphia, as well as a shared commitment to tree equity and community engagement in suburban counties, PHS will focus on planting and maintaining trees in areas with low canopy coverage. This targeted approach will address environmental disparities and enhance the quality of life for residents. The funding will empower PHS to expand its efforts, increasing tree canopy coverage, mitigating urban heat islands, and improving air and water quality across the region. This award highlights the transformative impact of PHS’s work in fostering greener, healthier, and more equitable communities. 

The award is part of PA Governor Josh Shapiro administration’s announcement of $79.4 million in grants for 307 projects across Pennsylvania, aimed at expanding recreational opportunities, conserving natural spaces, and revitalizing communities. These grants will support a wide range of projects, including improving local parks, expanding trails and river access points, and creating more green space in local communities. 

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited James Logan Elementary School in Philadelphia to spotlight a $500,000 grant to the School District of Philadelphia. The grant will engage communities, school staff, and students in planting approximately 600 trees across 30 school campuses in environmental justice areas, while also building local tree stewardship capacity in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tenders Program. 

“Trees help combat urban heat and flooding, and their planting fosters a connection to nature," said Secretary Dunn. “In Philadelphia alone, over $5 million in grants will support urban tree planting, park and playground improvements, trail development, and water access. These projects are part of broader efforts to prepare Fairmount Park and other sites for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States." 

“With this grant, PHS can take another powerful step toward ensuring that every resident, regardless of where they live, can enjoy the shade, cleaner air, and beauty that trees provide and we’re grateful to DCNR for their dedication to this vision. Together, we’re increasing tree canopy and fostering a sense of ownership, pride, and connection to the natural world right” said Matt Rader, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. 

This investment is in addition to 16 other projects in Philadelphia, totaling $5.1 million: 

ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region. PHS programs create healthier living environments, increase access to fresh food, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and strengthen deeper social connections between people. PHS’s work spans 250 neighborhoods; an expansive network of public gardens and landscapes; year-round learning experiences; and the nation’s signature gardening event, the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS provides everyone with opportunities to garden for the greater good as a participant, member, donor, or volunteer.  

About DCNR's Community Conservation Partnership Program grants 

Statewide, the investments will facilitate the development of 25 new local parks, the rehabilitation of 85 existing parks, the protection of over 6,800 acres for recreation and habitat preservation, and $10 million to support trails, including nine projects aimed at addressing critical trail gaps. 

A complete list of the statewide grants is available, including these projects across the Commonwealth: 

These grants are part of the DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which supports projects to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces, and protect vital natural habitats. With increased state and federal support, $10.5 million of this funding round will go toward tree planting and lawn-to-habitat conversions statewide. 

Funding is being provided for projects in 57 of 67 Pennsylvania counties in this round and is provided by the Keystone Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, and federal sources. 

Pennsylvania has more than 6,400 local parks and 124 state parks, more than 12,000 miles of trails, and more than 83,000 miles of waterways. Together with more than 2.2 million acres of state forests, the Commonwealth has among the largest expanses of public lands in the eastern United States that offer outdoor recreation opportunities in all four seasons – making Pennsylvania The Great American Getaway, launched by Governor Shapiro earlier this year.

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