Abney announces conservation, recreation funding in southwestern Pa.
Allegheny County Delegation October 7, 2026 | 3:49 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – State Rep. Aerion Abney, chair of the Allegheny and Southwest House Democratic Delegation, announced today that four projects across Allegheny County and southwestern Pennsylvania have been awarded funding through Pennsylvania’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.
The grants support projects focused on workforce development, urban forestry, parks and riverfront planning, as well as conservation efforts across western Pennsylvania.
The grants include:
- Pittsburgh Conservation Corps — funding for workforce development and wood reuse in Allegheny County.
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy — funding to support work at Emerald View Park.
- Riverlife — funding for a study of Pittsburgh’s riverfront amenities.
- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy — funding for urban and community forestry efforts throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
“These grants will help make southwestern Pennsylvania a stronger, more vibrant place to live,” Abney said. “They support good jobs, improve public spaces and parks and help us make better use of the natural assets that define our region. That’s an investment residents will be able to see and experience for years to come.”
The Community Conservation Partnerships Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, supports recreation, natural-resource conservation and community revitalization projects across the commonwealth. The program funds a range of efforts, including parks, trails, rivers, open space and community forestry.
“From Pittsburgh’s riverfronts and parks to communities across southwestern Pennsylvania, these projects touch some of the places and priorities that matter most to our region,” Abney said. “I’m proud to see state funding supporting projects that create opportunities, improve quality of life and help position our communities for the future.”
The Allegheny and Southwest House Democratic Delegation includes Abney, chair, Reps. Jessica Benham, vice chair; Brandon Markosek, county vice chair; Lindsay Powell, city vice chair; Arvind Venkat, county vice chair; Brandon Dukes, county vice chair; Dan Deasy; Dan B. Frankel; Dan Goughnour; John Inglis; Emily Kinkead; Anita A. Kulik; Robert F. Matzie; La'Tasha D. Mayes; Joe McAndrew; Abigail Salisbury; and Mandy Steele.
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CONTACT: Ryan Bevitz
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: rbevitz@pahouse.net
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