The City of Reading is highlighting several sustainability initiatives and accomplishments from October 2026, including a $250,000 state grant supporting urban forestry, improvements to public parks and community gardens, and statewide recognition for local environmental efforts.
The initiatives, carried out through partnerships with organizations such as the Student Conservation Association (SCA), Berks Nature and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, focus on environmental stewardship, workforce development and community engagement.
A major development is a $250,000 grant awarded to the Student Conservation Association through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program. The funding will support tree planting, tree stewardship and workforce development opportunities for young adults in Reading.
SCA manages the Reading Conservation Corps in partnership with the City’s Public Works Department and Berks Nature. The program provides young adults from Reading and Berks County with hands-on training in land conservation and natural resource management while helping maintain public spaces.
During the 2026 season, the Reading Conservation Corps completed several projects throughout the city, including constructing two community gardens, installing a watering system at the Oakbrook Community Garden and establishing a native tree nursery capable of growing 200 saplings for future park plantings.
Crews also removed invasive plants from City Park Pond, Mt. Penn Preserve, Neversink Mountain Preserve, Pendora Park and Confluence Point, among other locations. Additionally, the program planted more than 150 trees at city parks and Lake Ontelaunee and assisted with trail improvements and repairs.
The 2027 Reading Conservation Corps season will run from March through October, with applications opening in January. Those interested in participating can contact Darien Manning at dmanning@thesca.org.
Reading’s environmental initiatives also received statewide recognition during the 2026 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Conference, which was hosted in the city.
Keep Reading Beautiful won the conference’s Shark Tank competition, earning a $2,500 Investment Award for its Black Walnut Legacy Initiative.
The project seeks to preserve a piece of Reading’s history by collecting and propagating seeds from a historic black walnut tree reportedly gifted to the city from George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. The tree was planted during the 1932 George Washington Bicentennial celebrations.
Through the initiative, organizers hope to establish new generations of black walnut trees throughout Reading while encouraging residents to participate in environmental education and tree stewardship.
During the conference, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and State Senator Judy Schwank also recognized City of Reading Sustainability Manager Bethany Ayers Fisher with the organization’s Community Pride Award for her contributions to community improvement and environmental stewardship.
Another community initiative, Keep Reading Beautiful’s Seeds of Change program, is scheduled to return for its second year on Saturday, January 16, 2027, at 10 a.m.
The program invites participants of all ages and abilities to grow vegetables and native flowers for community gardens, public spaces and personal gardens. Activities will continue through May, with additional information expected through the Seeds of Change Facebook event in mid-November.
Mayor Eddie Morán said the initiatives demonstrate the value of investing in both environmental improvements and the community.
“Sustainability is about making smart investments that benefit Reading today and for generations to come. Whether we’re planting trees, improving our parks, creating opportunities for young adults or investing in solar energy to reduce the City’s operating costs, these efforts all contribute to a stronger and healthier community. I’m proud of the partnerships and the people doing this work, and we’ll continue looking for opportunities to build on this progress.”
Ayers Fisher also emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing the city’s sustainability goals.
“None of this work happens in isolation. Our partnerships with organizations like the Student Conservation Association, Berks Nature and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful allow us to accomplish projects that make a visible difference throughout Reading.”
City officials said they plan to continue working with community organizations and residents on projects that improve neighborhoods, protect natural resources and support long-term environmental sustainability.
