June 18th, 2025 Energy, Environment and Land Use Committee Meeting

The Northampton County Energy, Environment and Land Use Committee met on June 18, 2025, to discuss the Livable Landscapes grant program. Sheri Asavdo, Conservation Coordinator with Northampton County Parks, presented details about the grant program, which supports projects aligned with the county's livable landscapes plan, including land preservation, ecological restoration, habitat improvements, stormwater management, and regional trail development. The program requires a dollar-for-dollar match from grantees, with many exceeding the 50% match requirement. This meeting included presentations of five grant proposals totaling $600,000, with $300,000 requested for municipal park projects and $300,000 for a city of Bethlehem trail project. The committee discussed outreach efforts to municipalities and expressed strong support for the program's role in enhancing parks, recreation, and environmental sustainability in the county. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, but the committee members expressed clear support for the grant awards.