Horticulture in the Zoo, energy assistance for Philadelphians, and the latest funding cuts.

Catch up on this week’s sustainability news:

The Zoo’s gardens are getting a horticultural makeover. The Philadelphia Zoo is partnering with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Santoline Mosaïculture to revamp the property’s 42 acres of garden beds and install topiary animal sculptures throughout the campus. The goal of the projects is to raise awareness of horticulture and conservation to visitors. 

More Philadelphians may receive assistance from PA’s Low-Income Usage Reduction Program thanks to recent updates. LIURP aims to reduce the burden of energy costs on low-income residents by providing services such as weatherization, solar installation, energy retrofits, and more. New rules outlining the program’s scope will make more households eligible to participate and expand the breadth of assistance offered. 

Bartram’s Garden is the latest to be impacted in a string of EPA grant terminations. The $500,000 grant that was yanked from the Southwest Philly greenspace last Wednesday would have funded efforts to plant 200 trees, install 120 home gardens, and employ 50 youth interns. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub may also be targeted by federal cost-cutting efforts. Funding for ‘MACH2’ was listed as “cut” on a Department of Energy document, causing confusion over whether plans to implement the controversial hydrogen infrastructure project in the Philly region will ever be realized. WHYY News Climate Desk. 

Cover photo: VISIT PHILADELPHIA®