For Immediate Release: August 12, 2011
Eight More Organizations and Municipalities Join Coalition in Calling for Growing Greener Funding
Support to Restore Funding for Key State Environmental, Conservation and Recreation Program Continues to Grow
(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today announced that eight more organizations, businesses and municipalities have joined in supporting the effort to restore state funding for Growing Greener.
Endless Mountain Outfitters, Inc. (Sugar Run), Greenbelt Overhaul Alliance of Levittown (Levittown), Responsible Drilling Alliance (Williamsport), Schuylkill Headwaters Association (Pottsville), and West Philadelphia Urban Living Studio (Philadelphia) have signed the Coalition’s Statement of Support, which calls for the establishment of a dedicated and sustainable source of revenue to support the renewal of Growing Greener. They join 225 other organizations and groups that have also announced their support for renewing Growing Greener.
In addition, the following municipalities join over 85 other municipalities and 22 counties, representing more than 5 million Pennsylvanians, which have passed resolutions:
- Kennett Square Borough (Chester County)
- Lansdowne Borough (Delaware County)
- West Pikeland Township (Chester County)
Growing Greener is a bipartisan program established in 1999 under Governor Tom Ridge and later expanded by Governors Schweiker and Rendell. Since its establishment, Growing Greener has created a legacy of success, preserving more than 33,700 acres of Pennsylvania’s family farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, adding 26,000 acres to state parks and forests, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.
Moreover, Growing Greener has contributed billions of dollars to the Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.
Yet despite its success, the availability of Growing Greener funding is 80 percent lower in this year’s budget.
About the Renew Growing Greener Coalition
The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealth’s largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations representing more than 310 organizations and government entities. For more information on the Coalition, visit www.RenewGrowingGreener.org.
