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Sustainable Communities

Pennsylvania was called “Penn’s Woods” for good reason, and we still have the wild resources, beautiful vistas and authentic communities with which people connect.  But the livability and sustainability of our communities and landscapes are at risk every day.  We are one of the slowest growing states, but we consume our cherished farms and natural places faster than any state except Wyoming.  Our communities and landscapes are threatened by the loss of thriving downtowns, open space, wildlife habitat and connectivity between the places we live, work and play.  PEC has focused its expertise and experience into the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Communities, which addresses sustainable development, smart growth, land stewardship and access to our resources.

Click here for a brochure highlighting our statewide trails and greenways work, or click on any of the individual projects listed below for more details.

Sustainable Communities Programs

  • Allegheny Riverfronts Project
    Allegheny County's riverfronts are destinations for its citizens and visitors. They provide recreation, conservation, and access opportunities while maintaining their place as important drivers in the region's industrial, commercial, and residential economies. The Allegheny County Riverfronts Project provides overall planning and coordination for implementation of recreation, conservation, and access. PEC works closely with Allegheny County, Friends of the Riverfront and other partner organizations to implement specific projects along the riverfronts.
  • Community Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Program
    PEC implements the Community Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Program, which is a program to address illegal dumpsites and create economic development opportunities across the Commonwealth. PEC is currently conducting the Program in the rural municipalities of Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Suquehanna and Wyoming Counties through partnerships with business, industry, county & local government and nonprofit organizations. Since the inception of the Program, over 726 tons of trash, 75 tons of scrap metal and over 200 tons of tires were removed from the environment.
  • East Coast Greenway
    People are all about trails these days, but if the thought of ticks and poison ivy makes you want to stay inside, then hiking the deep woods might not be the best path for you. Urban adventurers are creating The East Coast Greenway trail for walking, biking and other non-motorized uses. The Greenway will connect major cities, including Philadelphia, along 3,000 miles of waterfront esplanades, park paths, and highway corridors from Maine to Florida.
  • Ecological Restoration
    It's a "shore" thing that people love waterfronts that boast trails, parks and outdoor activities. As efforts expand to bring people back to the Delaware River, PEC sees the restoration of riverfront plant and animal communities as critical in providing destinations for people and safe habitat for wldlife.
  • Environmental Advisory Council Network
    The EAC Network helps local officials make sound environmental decisions within and across municipal boundaries. The Network promotes and supports Environmental Advisory Councils, who are appointed volunteers at work protecting the environment through project implementation, site plan and ordinance review, community education and much, much more.
  • Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards Gala
    For the past several years, PEC has hosted a gala dinner in celebration of the recipients of the Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards.
  • Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program
    Since its launch in March 2009, more than 100 companies have made the commitment to green their office practices. From simple tasks to changing habits, businesses are saving energy, reducing paper waste, conserving water, and making a greener difference.
  • Greater Philadelphia Regional Trail Network
    The Regional Trail Network is an emerging system of interconnected multi-use paths and on-street bikeways that connects all of Southeastern Pennsylvania into New Jersey and Delaware. Not only does it connect some of the best recreational areas in the state, but as the network expands, it will create more and more transportation choices. When completed, the network will link over 6 million people through more than 400 miles of trails and when combined with a growing network of bike lanes, it will become the backbone of a cutting-edge active transportation system.
  • Green Infrastructure
    PEC is a leader in promoting the use of Green Infrastructure as a way to manage the growing stormwater runoff problem across the state.
  • GreenSpace Alliance
    GSA, an affiliated organization of PEC, is an alliance to promote and advocate for the preservation and enhancement of recreational, natural and agricultural open spaces to preserve the quality of life in southeastern Pennsylvania, the most rapidly developing region of the state.

Past Accomplishments