A group of local projects is getting nearly $75,000 in funding for open space and resiliency from Delmarva Power.
Delmarva Power launched its Sustainable Communities Grant program late last year - with the Delaware Nature Society acting as the program administrator.
Delmarva Power spokesman Tim Stokes says the program provides $50,000 in grants of up to $10,000 each to municipalities, recreation authorities and nonprofits for projects focusing on open space preservation, park improvements and environmental conservation.
And this year he says, eight local municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits were selected to receive the funding. Stokes offered a few examples.
“The City of Rehoboth Beach - they are using $7,500 to fund a boardwalk recycling program within the City," said Stokes. "Another includes the Friends of White Clay Creek, which is funding a restoration project at the Judge Morris Estate in White Clay Creek State Park ( in Newark).”
Other recipients include:
- The Center for the Inland Bays - $10,000 for improvements to the James Farm Ecological Preserve in Sussex County
- Delmarva Wildlands -$10,000 for reforestation at its Armstrong Property in Middletown to enhance carbon sequestration, water quality, wildlife habitat community engagement and education
- The Lower Shore Land Trust - $8,700 to fund a pollinator habitat and restoration project in public spaces on the Lower Eastern Shore
- The Delaware Native Plant Society - $1,000 for the reforestation of a 1.3-acre portion of a fallow field in the Woodland Beach Wildlife area of Kent County.
Stokes notes that Delmarva Power is also providing one additional $25,000 grant to the Children's Beach House to fund the installation of a solar array - pushing the total money allocated this year to $75,000.
Stokes notes climate change is a pressing environmental issue and played a role in choosing grant recipients.
“Anytime that we can provide an outlet for local organizations to combat climate change in a certain way that benefits our customers, as well as the communities that we serve, we intend to do so,” said Stokes,
