BP donation supports North Park Greenway In Pittsburgh

The Allegheny Land Trust today announced BP America recently donated more than $40,000 to Allegheny Land Trust to support conservation projects, including the North Park Greenway project in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The contribution will be used to assist in funding a land acquisition project which will conserve approximately 75 acres adjacent to Allegheny County’s North Park by creating a “conservation corridor.”
The land conservation project will enhance the quality of life for people of southwestern Pennsylvania by maintaining and protecting green spaces, biodiversity and the water quality of North Park Lake.
“BP is pleased to provide Allegheny Land Trust with funds to be used on the North Park Greenway Project, which will benefit the environment, the residents involved and the citizens of Pennsylvania,” said Shawn Croucher, environmental business manager with Atlantic Richfield, a wholly-owned BP subsidiary.
The BP pledge currently represents a significant 8 percent share in the protection of the property, according to Roy Kraynyk, executive director for Allegheny Land Trust. Allegheny Land Trust is in the final phase and working with the local community to secure the remaining funds required and anticipates closing by March 31, 2009.
“BP America’s generosity is appreciated and we applaud their innovative approach and commitment to help preserve green spaces and the environment,” Kraynyk said.
The BP donations emanate from a creative, cooperative and voluntary Multi-Site Agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection The MSA sets targets and goals that guide the cleanup of petroleum-impacted retail sites and bulk storage facilities.
Under the MSA, when certain target goals are exceeded with respect to moving sites and facilities toward cleanup, BP provides donations to environmental initiatives approved by the DEP. Previous donations were used to cleanup an old tire dump, to install solar arrays on Commonwealth of Pennsylvania office buildings, and to fund environmental projects by Boy Scouts councils throughout Pennsylvania.
“BP is proud to support the North Park Greenway Project. The conservation and stewardship of this land will improve the environmental well-being of the local community,” Croucher said. “It might seem a bit unconventional to support environmental conservation projects this way, but it’s another example of BP’s innovation when it comes to finding creative ways to solve complex issues.”