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Vibrant and alive!  Philadelphia has become one of America’s most exciting cities, witnessing unprecedented growth and development that brings new environmental challenges to the city and its decentralized suburbs.  The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is the region’s recognized leader in advancing innovative solutions to this array of challenges.

Southeast Programs

  • Climate Change Roadmap for Pennsylvania
    Stakeholder-driven process produces 38 recommendations for Pennsylvania action -- we're a big part of the problem, we should be a big part of the solution!
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Protecting SEPA's Water Resources
    Communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania struggle to deal with water issues such as drinking water quality, recreation opportunities and flooding.  Since stormwater runoff is a leading the cause of water pollution in our region, the Council helps municipalities find innovative ways to manage their stormwater - in ways that balances community growth, economic vitality and natural resource protection.
  • River Conservation Planning Initiatives
    PEC is implementing or has implemented River Conservation Plans in almost a dozen watersheds across the Commonwealth.
  • Sustainable Philadelphia Initiative
    Living in a green building, traveling by public transit and eating local food - that's the picture of a sustainable lifestyle in Philadelphia. As home to some of the world's most sustainable buildings, businesses, organizations and individuals, Philadelphia is rising through the ranks to become the most sustainable region in America. The Council's Sustainable Philadelphia initiative helps fuel that momentum.

Past Accomplishments