LANCASTER, PA — State and local leaders gathered on Wednesday to highlight the environmental and community impact of the Blue Green Connector Project along Little Conestoga Creek in Lancaster, a multi-million-dollar initiative designed to restore the watershed, enhance flood resilience, and boost outdoor recreation. Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Jessica Shirley, joined the Steinman Foundation and Lancaster Clean Water Partners to showcase the progress and future plans for this key restoration effort during an Earth Week celebration.
With over $4 million in state funding, including $3 million from Growing Greener grants and a $440,000 Countywide Action Plan Block Grant, the project has completed half of its planned restoration work. These investments have also secured matching federal funds and included technical support from the DEP. The Blue Green Connector has already restored 25 acres of floodplain and wetland, removed legacy sediment, and planted native vegetation while delivering significant reductions in sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen levels entering the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“DEP is proud to be part of the ongoing effort to restore Little Conestoga Creek,” said Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “This project will strengthen the community’s connection to nature by combining environmental restoration and recreational opportunities.”
Central to the initiative is the development of 3.44 miles of accessible trail that will connect to the Greater Lancaster Heritage Pathway. This expanded network will enhance quality of life for over 225,000 Lancaster-area residents, transforming the space into a hub for recreation and environmental education. Plans include interpretive learning stations, outdoor classrooms, public art, and demonstration areas to engage the community in sustainability efforts.
Shane Zimmerman, CEO of the Steinman Foundation, expressed optimism about the project’s influence. “We hope that this project catalyzes others to address water quality and ecosystem health throughout Lancaster County,” he said.
The Blue Green Connector demonstrates the collaborative spirit guiding Lancaster’s water quality goals. Allyson Gibson, Executive Director of Lancaster Clean Water Partners, emphasized the project’s broad impact, stating, “This project is at a scale that helps achieve local water quality improvements as outlined in our Countywide Action Plan while inspiring innovative thinking.”
Looking ahead, the initiative not only aligns with Lancaster’s shared vision for clean water by 2040 but aims to set a benchmark for similar projects across Pennsylvania. With its mix of environmental stewardship and community enrichment, the Blue Green Connector underscores the vital role of partnerships and sustained investment in building a sustainable future for generations to come.
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