The D&L Blog

Project partners gather in front of Saucon Valley Bikes for program launch

Claire Sadler, Director of Trails & Conservation

We, at D&L, are always open to new ideas for funding the engineering, construction, maintenance, and amenities for trails. On September 3^rd, we were proud to help one of those new ideas come to life. This meant launching the Lehigh Valley Green Retail Program. Lehigh Valley Green Retail works as a checkout charity to support trail and park projects in the Lehigh Valley. Customers, at participating local retailers, can now donate a dollar, two, or more at checkout. This money, then, goes to support trail and park projects in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Lehigh Valley Green Retail functions cyclically and locally. As people use the trails, they will also visit businesses related to and near trails. If they donate at checkout, their donations go directly back into the program fund. This fund will then go toward trail and park projects.  As a result, small donations will have a big impact.

This program grew out of the Lehigh Valley Greenways, a partnership led by D&L and PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, to conserve and connect the green spaces of the Lehigh Valley. The money will be awarded to local projects through the existing Lehigh Valley Greenways mini grant program. Additionally, all donations will be matched 1:1 by the organization that receives the mini grant and every dollar stays local in the Lehigh Valley.

Current local participants include:

• Curt’s Cyclery
• Cutters Bike Shop
• Easton Outdoor Company
• Emmaus Run INN
• Genesis Bicycles
• Saucon Valley Bikes

The next time someone wants to get new pair of running shoes, a bicycle, or gear at any of these locations they can easily donate to the program, trusting that the funds will stay right in their backyard. Don’t see a business you love? Any business that is willing to collect donations at checkout is able to participate by reviewing the details on the Green Retail webpage.