Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has approved four major grants for Lehigh County.

These grants, totaling $469,900, will provide additional resources to countywide efforts to improve quality of life and enhance outdoor recreational experiences.

“Lehigh County is committed to maintaining and improving our open and green spaces. We know that they are integral to continuing to attract new residents and families to the Lehigh Valley and they provide significant economic and environmental benefits to our region,” Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong said.

The DCNR grants and projects are listed and described below:

• Catasauqua D&L Trail gap closure plan - $250,000 received. The grant will contribute to the development of the D&L Trail in Hanover Township and Catasauqua Borough. Work will include the construction of approximately 1.5 miles of trail from the Lehigh County border in Catasauqua Borough to an existing pedestrian bridge in Hanover Township.

• Master site plan for Trexler Nature Preserve - $50,000 received. The grant will enable Lehigh County to develop a master site development and stewardship plan for the 1,108-acre Trexler Nature Preserve and adjacent 400-acre county land in Lowhill and North Whitehall townships.

• Mountain bike trails in Trexler Nature Preserve - $128,000 received. The grant will contribute to the development of mountain bike trails at Trexler Nature Preserve in Lowhill and North Whitehall townships, Lehigh County. The construction will include the development of approximately 1.5 miles of trail within the North Range section of Trexler Nature Preserve.

• South Mountain land acquisition - $41,900 received. The grant will serve as a payment toward the acquisition of approximately 18 acres in Upper Milford and Upper Saucon townships, which will form a connection to the South Mountain Greenway. This will be done in cooperation with Wildlands Conservancy.