Earlier this week the GIANT Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced 45 recipients of the 2022 Healing the Planet grant program and Bristol’s nature paradise was one of the winners chosen.

The Silver Lake Nature Center was awarded $2500.00 said Acting SLNC Director & Naturalist PattiAnn Cutter as she took some time earlier this week to explain why receiving the grant is so important for SLNC.

The grant will help restore the ecological balance and protection of native plant species of SLNC. Currently, invasive species have heavily reduced biodiversity. With this grant, these populations will be removed and replaced with native options,” Cutter said.

“The areas of focus for the project include the Delhaas Woods portion of Silver Lake Nature Center along with the areas located behind the SLNC Visitors’ Center. The areas behind the SLNC Visitors’ Center include the natural play area, the Meadow, and the area surrounding the amphitheater,” Cutter said.

Delhaas Woods is a 175-acre parcel of woodland with Nature Trails. This parcel was recognized by the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Nature Conservancy as the ‘best remaining example of Coastal Plain Woodlands within the State of Pennsylvania.’ Most of the 40+ PA Species of Special Concern of SLNC reside in Delhaas Woods, she said.

We have received donations of 100 native trees as well as 250 contractor bags. The equipment requested in the grant will provide us with the additional resources needed to complete this project.

Announced earlier this year, $300,000 in funding was awarded in support of projects aimed at improving the health and quality of waterways to help protect water resources and improve the overall health of communities a press release from Giant said.

The grant recipients were formally announced at the Camp Curtin Branch YMCA Garden, operated by the Harrisburg Area YMCA, a $10,000 grant recipient. Representatives from The GIANT Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful were hand for the announcement.

“There’s only one planet Earth and the steps we take now will impact our environment and waterways for future generations,” said Jessica Groves, community impact manager, The GIANT Company. “Our customers and team members understand that changes of any size can make a big difference in healing our planet through their generosity in rounding up at the register in support of these types of environmental initiatives. We are excited to see these water resource projects brought to life in the coming months and continue to make a lasting difference in their local communities.”

Besides SLNC  Warrington Township-Chalfont was chosen as Healing the Planet Grant recipient too, details of that project were not released.

Grants range from $2,500 up to $10,000. Eligible projects had to be in The GIANT Company’s operating areas within Pennsylvania, .

Not one to forget all those contributing to obtaining the grant, Cutter thanked staffers for their contributions too.

“A special thanks goes out to Friends of SLNC Invasives/Grounds Intern, Alyssa Thomas and Friends of SLNC Office Manager/Book Keeper, Sue Kiernan, for writing the grant proposa.l”