State Sen. Lisa M. Boscola, D-18th, announced the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has awarded recreation and conservation grants through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program specifically for Rivers Conservation and Riparian Forest Buffers.

“Through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the commonwealth is able to partner in local initiative to improve the quality of life in our community,” Boscola said. “It is important for us to protect and restore our environment now so future generations can enjoy it for years to come. These grants will play an important role in protecting critical watersheds throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond,” Boscola added.

Northampton County was approved for a $150,000 grant for a project focused on the restoration of 0.5 miles of Monocacy Creek in the Archibald Johnston Conservation Area, located in the City of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Township.

Wildlands Conservancy was awarded five grants totaling $419,000 for projects impacting not only Lehigh and Northampton counties, but that will also stretch through multiple counties in northeastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. These grants include:

•$50,000 to complete riparian forest buffer related outreach to streamside landowners in the Lehigh River Watershed;

•$88,000 for construction of approximately 15 acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Lehigh River Watershed;

•$131,000 for restoration of Jordan Creek at Trexler Nature Preserve;

•$100,000 for restoration of Oughoughton Creek in Northampton County;

•$50,000 for restoration of Upper Bushkill Creek.