Mifflintown,PA – Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is please to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support the ecological restoration and community engagement advancements at Port Royal Wetland Preserve, 14-acre wetlands in Walker Township, Juniata County. The preserve features a 2.38-acre wetland restoration area, open water pond, constructed wetlands, and woodland habitat connected by a public nature trail. This grant will address three critical needs for the preserve:
- Wetland Restoration: Wetlands support extraordinary biodiversity and provide vital community services, filtering pollutants, absorbing excess nutrients, preventing erosion, reducing flood damage, and providing critical habitat and migratory corridors for fish and wildlife. Port Royal Wetland Preserve models responsible stewardship of these systems, and restoring native plant communities returns the landscape to its natural diversity and resilience.
- Recreation & Health: The Juniata River corridor offers significant health and quality-of-life benefits for the region. Expanding passive recreation, hiking, wildlife viewing, and environmental education, connects the public to nature. The Preserve’s location directly off a major highway and adjacent to a community park amplifies these benefits.
- Volunteer Capacity: CPC currently lacks sufficient capacity to fully deliver restoration and stewardship goals. A structured volunteer program will foster partnerships with Walker Township and Juniata County Conservation District, deepen community connection to conservation, multiply stewardship impact, and build a lasting network of informed conservation advocates.
About Central Pennsylvania Conservancy
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is a nonprofit, member-supported charitable organization with a mission to acquire, preserve, and protect local land and natural resources in South-Central Pennsylvania. The organization serves as the local land trust for a 6-county region (Cumberland, Franklin, Perry, Dauphin, Juniata, and northern York County). Through land stewardship and community outreach, the organization strives for accessible greenspace for all.
The PPL Foundation announced the recipients of its Spring 2025 grants, awarding $200,000 in grants to support 30 organizations working to enhance inclusion and belonging for better outcomes for all.
About the PPL Foundation
The PPL Foundation empowers communities in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island by supporting student success from cradle to career and promoting the development of vibrant and sustainable communities. To learn more, visit pplcares.com.
For volunteer inquiries, please contact Central Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Community and Engagement Coordinator Erik Smith at engage@centralpaconservancy.org.