By Robert Smith, Allegheny Group
Each year, the Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club administers grant awards from the Huplits Wildlife Endowment. In 2023, the grant program expanded beyond solely funding wildlife-related efforts, to include projects that support any of the Sierra Club’s policies and mission in Pennsylvania. Eligible activities range from public education and grassroots campaign organizing, to litigation, land acquisition, research, and more. The Request for Applications was announced in May, with a submission deadline in September. After review, the Huplits Grant Committee voted unanimously to award a total of $54,936 in grants to six applicants. The award details are as follows:
Mountain Watershed Association, Fayette County, PA: $15,000
Description: The goal of the project is to acquire 6.81 acres along Sewickley Creek, a major tributary of the Youghiogheny River, in order to improve the riparian buffer along the creek and to effectively monitor the discharge of Pennsylvania’s only hazardous waste landfill, MAX Environmental.
Three Rivers Waterkeeper, Pittsburgh, PA: $10,900
Description: Document the impacts of pollution to our waters and communities and engage the local communities; uncover the lack of oversight of the oil and gas industry and empower communities to take action and hold polluters accountable.
Allegheny Land Trust, Allegheny and Washington Counties: $7,550
Description: Acquire 141 acres of woodlands in South Fayette Township to buffer the regionally popular Panhandle Trail and work towards connecting an unprecedented greenway with the potential to contain 2,600 acres in an otherwise highly developed community.
Citizens for Responsible Development – Northampton County, PA: $12,500
Description: To protect and preserve 275 acres of forested habitat and Lehigh River watershed from destruction by the expansion of the Bethlehem Landfill in Lower Saucon Township. These woodlands constitute a significant forested riparian corridor and one of only two remaining forests of this size that are within the watershed and support the Lehigh River.
Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center, Montgomery County, PA: $3,986
Description: Provide pre-exposure rabies vaccine series to enable volunteers to work with wildlife designated as rabies vectors, and to provide follow-up testing.
Venture Outdoors, Pittsburgh, PA: $5,000
Description: To support the Outdoors for All initiative which is dedicated to enhancing the mental and physical wellbeing of underserved populations through diverse outdoor activities.
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