Reforest Our Future Launches Native Tree Nursery & Education Center In Beaver County Supported By Shell Petrochemical Plant Mitigation Grant

The following article is reprinted from DEP's latest Environmental Justice newsletter--

In April 2025, Reforest Our Future celebrated the grand opening of the Native Tree Nursery and Environmental Education Center at Brady’s Run Park in Beaver County with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.  

The Native Tree Nursery and Environmental Education Center will serve as a key site for reforestation efforts and a hub for public environmental programming, particularly focused on native species propagation and ecological restoration practices. 

The Center will support long-term resilience-building in Beaver County and serve as a model for collaborative mitigation initiatives statewide. 

[Visit the Reforest Our Future website for more information on initiatives and upcoming events.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates (bottom of the page).]

DEP was represented at the event by Special Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice Fernando Treviño, along with DEP’s Southwest Regional Director Eric Gustafson, Southwest Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator Emily Green, and other DEP staff. 

By attending the event, DEP leadership underscored its ongoing commitment to supporting community-driven, environmentally just outcomes through transparent partnerships and direct investment in local capacity. 

This initiative marks a major investment in community-based environmental restoration and education across Western Pennsylvania. 

Shell Petrochemical Plant Mitigation Fund

A $292,071 award from the Beaver County Environmental Community Mitigation Fund enabled the project, a resource established as part of an agreement between Shell Chemical Appalachia and the DEP. 

The Fund was facilitated by DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice, and The Pittsburgh Foundation served as the official trustee.  

Visit the Environmental Justice Policy webpage for more information on DEP’s EJ Policy and a list of current and past permits subject to enhanced public participation under the policy.

Click Here to read the entire newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

Visit DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice webpage for more information.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

Resource Links:

-- DEP: $5 Million In Grants Recommended To Support Mitigation Projects In Beaver County Related To Shell Petrochemical Plant Environmental Violations + Shell Paid Total Penalties Of $7,606,027.75 [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Shell Petrochemical Plant Pays Additional $2,671,044.75 In Civil Penalties For 12-Month Air Quality Violations After May 2023 Consent Order [PaEN] 

-- DEP Signs Consent Order Including $10 Million In Penalties, Local Payments With Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County To Resolve Air Quality Violations; Plant To Restart May 24 [PaEN] 

-- DEP To Review Shell Petrochemical Plant Title V Air Quality Permit Under Environmental Justice Policy Enhanced Public Participation Process [PaEN] 

-- Shell Falcon Pipeline LP Pleads No Contest To Criminal Charges For Violating The State Clean Streams Law In Allegheny, Beaver, Washington Counties; Will Pay $300,000 In Penalties [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Groups File Notice Of Intent To Sue The Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County For Air Pollution Violations: Similar Action In 2023 Resulted In $10 Million Settlement  [PaEN] 

Related Articles This Week:

-- DEP Environmental Justice: PennEnviroScreen Now ‘Fully Integrated’ Within DEP Permitting Processes To Provide Enhanced Public Participation  [PaEN]

-- DEP To Host June 10 Informational Meeting On The Air Quality Permit To Expand Western Fumigation At Penn Terminals Facility In Eddystone Boro, Delaware County  [PaEN] 

-- Reforest Our Future Launches Native Tree Nursery & Education Center In Beaver County Supported By Shell Petrochemical Plant Mitigation Grant  [PaEN]

-- Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts June 18 In-Person Environmental Justice Areas - What You Need to Know Workshop In Washington County  [PaEN]

[Posted: June 2, 2025]  PA Environment Digest