NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tamara Krizek, tamara.krizek@davincisciencecenter.org
ALLENTOWN, PA, June 3, 2025 – Da Vinci Science Center is proud to announce it has been awarded funding through the 2025 Lehigh Valley Greenways Mini Grant Program to support a native planting initiative. This grant, administered by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), will help bring sustainable green space to the heart of downtown Allentown.
The native planting project will enhance the Science Center’s outdoor landscape with educational and ecologically beneficial plantings that support pollinators, promote biodiversity, and demonstrate the principles of environmental stewardship. These spaces will also offer hands-on learning opportunities aligned with the Science Center’s mission to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of the natural world.
“We’re thrilled to bring this project to life,” said Lin Erickson, Executive Director and CEO of Da Vinci Science Center. “These plantings not only beautify our community but also serve as a living laboratory where students, families, and educators can experience the science of ecology up close.”
Da Vinci Science Center is committed to ensuring the project’s successful completion and will provide matching funds to complement the grant award. Work is scheduled to begin later this year and will be integrated into the Science Center’s growing array of science and sustainability programming.
The project is part of a broader effort across the Lehigh Valley to connect people with nature, encourage environmental stewardship, and promote healthy outdoor spaces through the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape initiative.
Da Vinci Science Center will also participate in upcoming promotional activities hosted by DLNHC, including a ceremonial check presentation and social media spotlights to showcase the project’s impact.
This project was completed in partnership with the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape. Funding was provided in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Environmental Stewardship Fund, administered by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.
For more information about Da Vinci Science Center and its sustainability initiatives, visit davincisciencecenter.org.
About Da Vinci Science Center
Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning non-profit science center that has been bringing science to life and lives to science for 30 years. With our exciting new downtown Allentown location, Da Vinci Science Center experiences make science fun and approachable, helping to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the wonders of science. To learn more about our programs, visit davincisciencecenter.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
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