The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Trees for Watersheds Program Awards Over $276,000 in Grants to Restore Local Watershed Ecosystems Across Southeastern Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA, PA – May 5, 2026 – The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has announced more than $276,000 in grant funding to support community-led tree planting and restoration projects across Southeastern Pennsylvania via its Trees for Watersheds program. Trees for Watersheds provides funding, technical assistance, and hands-on support to help communities plan and carry out planting projects in priority watershed areas. These efforts play a critical role in reducing polluted stormwater runoff, reducing flooding, improving stream health, and protecting local drinking water sources. 

This year’s projects are made possible through partnerships with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Growing Greener grant program and Aqua Pennsylvania, which together contributed more than $276,000 to support tree plantings across the region. 

“Aqua has been proud to partner on this program for more than 20 years,” said Krista Seng, Aqua’s lead for corporate giving and community affairs. “We know that restoring our native forests has a significant impact on the quality of our waterways, which we rely on to provide safe drinking water for our customers. Through partnerships like these, we’re investing in local watersheds and empowering communities to safeguard clean, reliable water for generations to come.” 

Trees for Watersheds has helped expand tree canopy, restore habitats, and strengthen watershed health in five counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia. The conservation districts in each of these counties - Bucks County Conservation District, Chester County Conservation District, Delaware County Conservation District, and Montgomery County Conservation District - have been integral partners since the program’s inception, providing vital local coordination, expertise, and outreach.   

Since its launch in 2005, the Trees for Watersheds program has supported the planting of more than 240,000 native trees, shrubs, and seedlings across over 1,200 acres in Southeastern Pennsylvania.  

“These projects reflect the power of local action to protect and restore our natural resources,” said Matt Rader, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “By investing in trees and community partnerships, we’re improving water quality, strengthening ecosystems, and creating healthier communities.” 

This latest round of grant funding builds on the program’s two decades of impact across the region, supporting community-based projects that create healthier environments and more resilient landscapes. Grantees have already begun spring preparation work, with planting activities continuing throughout the year. 

Among this year’s grant recipients are several large-scale projects that will significantly expand tree canopy and restore critical habitats across the region, including: 

• Chester County: French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust - $15,000 
  Planting 400 trees along a tributary to improve water quality and reduce erosion. 

• Chester County: Downingtown Borough Shade Tree Commission - $8,000 
  Riparian Miyawaki Forest planting on four plots along the Brandywine Creek, repurposing flood-prone land to restore habitat and improve watershed health.  

• Delaware County: Springfield Township - $12,000 
  Restoration of 2.1 acres of riparian forest buffer along Darby Creek. 

• Montgomery County: Lower Merion Conservancy - $15,000 
  Habitat restoration at Harriton Preserve, including invasive species control and native replanting strategies.  

• Montgomery County: Cheltenham Township - $14,000 
  Community tree planting initiative replacing trees lost due to age, disease, and storm damage. Partnership between local Tree Tenders and the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership. 

• Montgomery County: Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust - $10,000 
  Shelterbelt restoration project to strengthen biodiversity and ecological resilience. 

• Philadelphia County: Fairmount Park Conservancy - $48,000 
  Planting 500 trees, 200 shrubs, and 250 herbaceous plants at Meadow Lake in FDR Park to support the park’s long-term ecological restoration.  

• Philadelphia County: Delaware River City Corporation - $5,000
  Reforestation along the Port Richmond Trail to restore tree canopy in a high-priority area.  

In addition to funding, Trees for Watersheds works with Conservation District Leaders to provide technical support to help local groups plan and execute tree planting projects in priority watershed areas. For more information about the Trees for Watersheds, visit: 
https://phsonline.org/programs/tree-programs/watersheds-grant-program. 

2026 Trees for Watersheds Grant Awardees 

Bucks County: 
Heritage Conservancy 
Lower Southampton Township 
New Britain Township & NBT Environmental Advisory Council 

Chester County: 
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance 
Downingtown Borough Shade Tree Commission 
French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust 
London Britain Township 

Delaware County: 
Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association (two project grants) 
Darby Creek Valley Association 
Delaware Riverkeeper Network 
Haverford Township 
Radnor Township 
Springfield Township 

Montgomery County: 
Cheltenham Township 
Lower Merion Conservancy 
Montgomery Township 
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust 
Perkiomen Valley Trout Unlimited 
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy (seven project grants) 
Riverbend Environmental Education Center 
Wissahickon Trails 

Philadelphia County: 
Delaware River City Corporation 
Fairmount Park Conservancy 
Friends of the Wissahickon 

ABOUT 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 AQUA PENNSYLVANIA  

Aqua Pennsylvania serves approximately 1.5 million people in 33 counties throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Visit AquaWater.com for more information or follow Aqua on Facebook at facebook.com/MyAquaWater and on X at @MyAquaWater. 

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