NEWS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311
PHONE (610) 278-3061 FAX 278-5943
COMMISSIONERS:
JAMES R. MATTHEWS, Chairman, JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Vice Chairman, BRUCE L. CASTOR, JR, Commissioner
RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY 07/24/09 PR#09-34
Montgomery County Commissioners Accept Enviornmental Grant from Pennsylvania American Water
NORRISTOWN — The Montgomery County Commissioners accepted a $6,500 grant from Pennsylvania American Water Thursday for an environmentally friendly program in the County parks system.
The grant will support the “Mowing to Meadows” demonstration project that is being undertaken in Norristown Farm Park this summer. An abandoned five-acre ball field that lies in a floodplain is being converted into a naturalized meadow.
The project will enhance stormwater management, protecting the Stony Creek watershed, increase biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through less-frequent mowing. An effort will be made to plant native vegetation and remove invasive plant species this fall.
“It’s better for the environment and less mowing is better for our bottom line, which is critical in these tough economic times,” Commissioners Chairman Jim Matthews said.
This project is the first step in an effort to establish a variety of meadows throughout 14 parks and historic sites operated the Montgomery County Parks and Heritage Services Department. In addition to the 6,000-plus acres of land, the department also manages over 50 miles of recreational trail.
“This grant is an important step in our efforts to protect and enhance the County’s natural resources. In the future, we hope to establish a variety of meadow types throughout our 6000-acre system.”
Pennsylvania American Water is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water, which initiated the Environmental Grant Program in 2005 in Pennsylvania to support projects that protect or restore drinking
water sources and surrounding watersheds. Since then, American Water has expanded the annual program to many of its state subsidiaries across the nation.
Pennsylvania American Water is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs
more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
Release copy here.
Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr., Chairman James R. Matthews, Susan Turcmanovich, External Affairs Specialist, Pennsylvania American Water , Shawn Scanlon, Field Supervisor, Pennsylvania American Water
