Seven Chester County townships — Warwick, West Vincent, East Pikeland, Schuylkill, Uwchlan, Upper Uwchlan and East Bradford — have passed resolutions urging county commissioners to fully restore funding for open space preservation in the 2027 budget. The county eliminated new funding for open space and other initiatives in its 2026 budget as part of spending cuts, ending a practice of allocating about $10 million annually for preservation and related programs. While commissioners approved more than $1.7 million in July using unspent funds carried over from 2025, conservation groups and municipal officials are calling for renewed funding, citing development pressures, flood mitigation, water quality and the economic benefits of preserved land. Nearly 33% of the county is now preserved in perpetuity.
Source: Daily Local; 7/30/2026