Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, announced April 16 PPL Corporation gave the center a $2,000 donation.

The money will be used to support a volunteer recognition event and a project to help develop a new trailhead to the west end of the Nature Center in East Penn Township, Carbon County.

"PPL has been a strong supporter of the Nature Center and this continues that tradition of support," LGNC Director Dan Kunkle said.

He added the Nature Center was built and run by volunteers and, on the center's 10th anniversary, it is recognizing and celebrating with those volunteers with a picnic at the Gap.

PPL is helping make that picnic possible, Kunkle said, adding he really appreciates the donation.

"In addition, we have wonderful trails that can be accessed from the west end of our Carbon County property, but they are under utilized because we lack a good trailhead to serve as an entry point," Kunkle said. "We recently acquired a small property that is perfect to serve as a western trailhead.

"This PPL donation will help us develop parking, signage, and an educational arboretum containing plantings of native trees and shrubs at the location."

Paul Canevari, PPL regional community relations director, said PPL is pleased to be part of these projects.

"By supporting projects like this, we are helping local communities and encouraging people to enjoy and explore nature," Canevari said.

The volunteer recognition picnic will take place May 5 at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center visitor and education center building, the Osprey House.

Trailhead development will begin this spring. Parking and signage should be ready by summer with the arboretum expected to take shape over a period of a year or two.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center is a member-supported, nonprofit conservation and environmental education organization based at Lehigh Gap, north of Slatington.

For more information, log onto /lgnc.org or contact the center at lgnc@ptd.net or 610-760-8889.