Natural Lands and the Chester County Association of Township Officials presented the Growing Greener Communities Award to representatives of Penn Township on March 13 in Chester County. The award recognizes a Chester County township that has engaged in a dynamic initiative designed to save land, steward natural resources, and connect people to nature.
Situated between White Clay Creek in the Christina Basin to the north and Big Elk Creek in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to the south, Penn Township is keenly aware of its environmental responsibilities. The township’s multi-pronged approach toward stormwater management includes public education, responsible planning, and infrastructure improvements all designed to protect the environment and ensure public safety.
Along with an ongoing, robust public outreach program, 2017 saw Penn Township advance projects that improved the stormwater management on several miles of township roads. This included road and drainage system repairs and improvements to move stormwater from the roadways to White Clay Creek.
“CCATO is pleased to be able to highlight the continued efforts and dedication of our local government members, the County of Chester, and Natural Lands in the area of environmental protection,” said David Connors, CCATO president. “Environmental protection efforts such as these will help ensure Chester County remains a healthy, vibrant community for years to come.”
“The Penn Supervisors are honored to have been chosen as a Growing Greener community,” said Karen Versuk, director of operations and public information officer at Penn Township. “The supervisors make every effort to protect and preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the community in every way. It is thrilling and humbling when these efforts are recognized by an organization such as Natural Lands. Our community thanks Natural Lands and CCATO for this honor from the bottom of our hearts.”
“We were impressed by the strategy that Penn Township advanced towards environmental stewardship,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands. “Innovative approaches in engineering and community participation not only improve the environment but can make communities safer.”
