Delmarva Power grants nearly $75K in open space, resiliency projects

NEWARK – Delmarva Power, together with its program administrator Delaware Nature Society (DelNature), have chosen eight local municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits to receive nearly $75,000 in funds to support open space and resiliency projects in Delaware and Maryland.

This funding is provided throughout the region as part of Delmarva Power’s Sustainable Communities Grant program, which was launched in November 2019 to support open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, environmental conservation and innovative community resiliency projects.

“We have a strong commitment to protecting and preserving the environment in the communities we serve. Through our new Sustainable Communities Grant Program, we are helping our communities conserve critical open space, support recreational opportunities and build resilience in the face of a changing climate,” said Melissa Lavinson, senior vice president of governmental and external affairs for Pepco Holdings, Delmarva Power’s parent company, in a statement. “I commend our community partners and our local leaders for their commitment to sustainability and for the innovative ideas and projects that we are so proud to support. Because, we know that healthy environments equal healthy communities.”

Delmarva Power’s Sustainable Communities Grant Program will provide $75,000 in grants annually to fund open space and environmental projects and resiliency projects across the company’s Delaware and Maryland service area. The program will provide $50,000 in grants of up to $10,000 each to municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits for projects focusing on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation. The company also will provide one grant, totaling $25,000, to support resiliency projects.

In partnership with DelNature, a state affiliate for the National Wildlife Federation tasked with educational programming, conservation and advocacy, Delmarva Power is providing grants to the following municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits:

• Children’s Beach House ($25,000) – Funds the installation of a solar array at Children’s Beach House, providing sustainable energy alternatives, as well as a safe and reliable community resource, during times of emergency.
• Center for Inland Bays ($10,000) – Funds necessary improvements to the James Farm Ecological Preserve, a treasured conservation property, education site and recreation resource in Sussex County.
• Delaware Wildlands ($10,000) – Funds reforestation at the Armstrong Property to enhance carbon sequestration, water quality, wildlife habitat community engagement and education in Middletown.
• Lower Shore Land Trust ($8,700) – Funds a pollinator habitat and restoration project in public spaces on the Lower Eastern Shore, while supporting educational programming on the importance of pollinators and their role in the food/agricultural system.
• City of Rehoboth ($7,500) – Funds a boardwalk recycling program in the City of Rehoboth. 
• New Castle County – GreeNCC ($7,500) – Funds a full roof rain garden on the park pavilion at Paper Mill Park as part of the GreeNCC program.
• Friends of White Clay Creek ($5,000) – Funds a reforestation project at the Judge Morris Estate in White Clay Creek State Park in Newark.
• Delaware Native Plant Society ($1,000) – Funds the reforestation of a 1.3-acre portion of a fallow field in the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area of Kent County, Del.

“Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental issues we face today,” said Joanne McGeoch, deputy director and chief development officer for Delaware Nature Society, in a statement. “DelNature is pleased to partner with Delmarva Power for the Sustainable Communities Grant program with its focus on environmental conservation, stewardship and climate resiliency. The projects send an important message that there are small steps everyone can take to help improve and protect the environment”

Municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits in the Delmarva Power service area can apply for a Sustainable Communities grant each year. A committee with representatives from Delmarva Power, DelNature, county agencies and conservation organizations review each application and selects the projects to receive funding.

Interested organizations can learn more about the Sustainable Communities Grant Program and how to submit a grant request at delnature.org/sustainablecommunitiesgrant.