In collaboration with The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) and local conservation districts, Aqua Pennsylvania (an Essential Utilities company) unveiled the 2024 grant recipients of their impactful tree-planting grant initiative, “Trees for Watersheds.” 

Formally known as “TreeVitalize Watersheds,” the “Trees for Watersheds” grant program provides crucial funding to help plant trees and shrubs along waterways and in other areas to help keep vital waterways in Southeastern Pennsylvania clean.

Since 2005, Aqua and PHS have collaborated with local partners to reforest stream corridors, termed “riparian buffers,” and other areas. Increased tree canopy helps improve water quality and provides additional environmental benefits such as improved air quality. These trees and shrubs help protect the quality of drinking water resources by stabilizing stream banks, cooling temperatures, soaking up contaminated stormwater runoff, and recharging groundwater supplies.

Through the support of PHS Tree Tenders, volunteers, grants from the PA DEP Growing Greener Funds, in conjunction with Aqua’s efforts, the program’s grantees have been able to plant more than 213,000 native trees and shrubs in Southeastern Pennsylvania including within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

Since the “Trees for Watersheds” grant program’s inception, PHS has supported community and non-profit groups in planting these vital trees and shrubs. Aqua has been a key partner and funder of the program, investing more than $1.9 million to date for tree planting projects in the company’s customer service and source water protection areas.

By leveraging the expertise of PHS and the local county conservation districts, the program can get funding and other resources in the hands of community partners doing on-the-ground work to restore tree canopy and improve water quality. Communities where the projects take place also benefit from reduced air pollution, enhanced open space, and improved wildlife habitat.

The grants allow partner organizations to leverage a wide array of resources where entire communities can come together to expand tree canopy. One program spearheaded by Upper Darby Township along Darby Creek brought together the efforts of the Township’s public works crew, hundreds of hours of planting support from residents, and members of the Upper Darby Tree Tenders group, and even a hired herd of goats to help clear invasive plants in advance of the planting. In 2023, the Trees for Watersheds grant helped this group plant 145 trees.

“At the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, we’re thrilled to be a part of the ‘Trees for Watersheds’ program alongside Aqua and our other partners,” said Matt Rader, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “By supporting local communities in planting trees in these crucial watershed areas, we’re not only ensuring cleaner water for all but also creating vital wildlife habitat and advancing health and well-being for all. This program is a testament to the power of PHS’s expertise in uniting people, government, and stakeholders under a shared vision for how horticulture advances communities. We’re excited to see the lasting impact these trees will have on our environment.”

“The Trees for Watersheds grant program has been a tremendous asset towards helping the Montgomery County Conservation District work toward its mission to protect and improve the quality of life of the residents of Montgomery County and surrounding communities by providing, in cooperation with others, timely and efficient service, education, and technical guidance for the wise use of our soil, water, and related resources,” said Brian J. Vadino, Watershed Specialist/Envirothon Coordinator for the Montgomery County Conservation District.

“Forests, especially those along waterways, are critical for protecting water quality,” said Chris Crockett, Vice President, Chief Environmental, Safety, and Sustainability Officer for Essential Utilities. “Thanks to the many community partners working on this program, we have re-planted well over a thousand acres to enhance the protection of our drinking water sources for generations to come.”

Learn more about PHS’s Trees for Watersheds Grant Program and how the 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 opportunities, 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.

The 2024 “Trees for Watersheds” Grant Awardees

Bucks County:
Heritage Conservancy (two project grants)
Warrington Township

Chester County:
Borough of Downingtown
East Whiteland Township
Natural Lands, ChesLen Preserve

Delaware County:
Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association (two project grants)
Darby Creek Valley Association
Haverford Township Parks & Recreation (three project grants)

Montgomery County:
Audubon Mid-Atlantic
Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy (ten project grants)
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership

Philadelphia:
Audubon Mid-Atlantic
Fairmount Park Conservancy (two project grants)

Learn more at Aqua Pennsylvania. Aqua Pennsylvania serves approximately 1.5 million people in 32 counties throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.