Energy and restoration grants, bird migration & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Temporary bike lane closer to permanent status. Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. is moving forward with a bill to make the City Hall bike lane permanent. Young had introduced the bill for the new protected bike lane surrounding City Hall in June of 2025. He then held his own bill shortly after, which he now says was because his office wanted to make sure the infrastructure would improve safety and that road users had sufficient time to adjust to the layout. The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia bird migration patterns change. Philadelphia is a hotspot for birdwatching during migration season because of its fortuitous location along a key migration route, the Atlantic Flyway. As temperatures warm with climate change, Philadelphia birders are bracing for a change in migration patterns as cold weather birds are moving farther north. Experts are concerned that loss of habitat may also further push migrating birds to other locations. WHYY

Grants open for small business environmental improvements. The Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides Pennsylvania small businesses up to $12,000 to improve energy efficiency or reduce pollution and waste. Previous projects have included lighting, HVAC, and boiler upgrades, but projects may also work to reduce runoff into waterways, improve systems, and upgrade equipment. Eligible businesses can apply through March 19, 2027, and any project must be completed by June 30, 2027.

Thousands rode for Philly Bike Ride. 7,000 cyclists participated in the annual Philly Bike Ride on a chilly Saturday morning. Riders completed a 20-mile route that included city icons like Chinatown, Independence Mall, Penn’s Landing, and Boathouse Row. Proceeds from the ride went to various bike programming in the city, such as Graduation on Wheels, which promotes cycling education in Philadelphia public schools. FOX 29  

Philly Tree Coalition opens more storm recovery grants. The Philly Tree Coalition is opening a second round of grants to support tree-related recovery and restoration projects following the devastating microburst storm on July 11 of this year. The Responsive Grants are available to West and South Philadelphia community-based organizations to support tree hazard mitigation, storm debris removal, and restoration of green space lost during the storm. The Coalition is encouraging applicants to complete their applications by November 19. 

Cover photo: American Robin, a common bird in Philadelphia. Photo by Trac Vu on Unsplash