Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds Awards $265,000 in Grants to Enhance State's Waterways

On December 8, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW) announced the allocation of $265,000 in grants to bolster the protection and restoration of the state's waterways.

 

FPW is dedicated to investing in conservation initiatives that safeguard pristine streams, remediate pollution, and rejuvenate degraded wildlife habitats.

 

Biannually, the foundation distributes grants that leverage local, state, and federal funds to both protect and restore Pennsylvania's watersheds and streams.

 

Recognizing the substantial and urgent need to support organizations leading conservation efforts across Pennsylvania, FPW's conservation grants program remains highly competitive. This funding cycle reflects the extensive range of projects underway throughout the Commonwealth.

 

For the Fall 2025 cycle, FPW is awarding grants to the following projects:

 

Allegheny Land Trust: $7,500 for a conservation easement on the Panhandle Green III property.

 

Foundation for Sustainable Forests: $7,500 for a conservation easement on the Robert Crawford Memorial Forest property.

 

Tree Pittsburgh: $8,000 for the collection and distribution of native riparian species.

 

Three Rivers Waterkeeper: $22,000 for documenting waste flow in Southwest Pennsylvania watersheds.

 

Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance: $17,000 for maintenance of AMD passive treatment sites.

 

Waterkeepers Chesapeake Bay: $15,000 for Conowingo Dam outreach and education.

 

Watershed Alliance of York: $18,000 for the Codorus Creek Tributary at Lake Lehman Floodplain Restoration Phase One.

 

Manayunk Development Corp: $20,000 for the Manayunk Canal Native Plantings project.

 

PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers: $12,000 for a fiscal agency feasibility study.

 

Cambria County Conservation District: $25,000 for the Colver Reservoir Ramp and Habitat Improvement Project.

 

Washington County: $25,000 for the Cross Creek Shoreline Stabilization project.

 

The Allegheny Front: $15,000 for a special series on emerging threats in the Ohio River watershed.

 

Food & Water Watch: $15,000 for the Municipal Ordinance Project.

 

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership: $16,000 for hunter and angler support for watershed protection.

 

Tookany/Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership: $22,000 for protecting the waterways of the Scattergood Nature Preserve in North Philadelphia.

 

Stroud Water Research Center: $20,000 for expanding community awareness and management of road salt contamination in Pennsylvania streams with citizen scientists.

 

Additionally, FPW and partners have concluded the Unassessed Waters Initiative, a collaboration with the Fish and Boat Commission engaging colleges, universities, and non-government organizations to document wild trout populations in previously unassessed Pennsylvania waterways.

 

In 2025, 361 streams were assessed by 10 partners. Of these, 57 streams qualified for Wild Trout listing and will be added to the PFBC list of streams supporting naturally reproducing trout populations. Two streams were found eligible for a Chapter 93 Water Quality upgrade to Cold Water Fisheries.

 

The next grant application cycle opens in February 2026. FPW provides matching grant funds to both small and large groups and organizations throughout much of the Commonwealth and is a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.

 

Through FPW’s grantmaking, assistance is provided to conservation organizations to achieve their restoration goals, ensuring clean water for future generations of Pennsylvania children, families, and wildlife.