The South Mountain Partnership works best as a network of people and organizations working toward common goals.
Our common goal? Making the future of our region better.
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Happy New Year!
Do you have big plans for 2020? I hope that you do. No matter how you see your 2020 taking shape, please consider how you can pitch-in at the local level to assist ongoing conservation and preservation efforts near you. Just like our tag line says – “One million people, One Future” – the future of this landscape will be brought about by the actions that you and I take today, tomorrow, and the next day. Organizations that are already on the ground and doing this work – like watershed associations, historical societies, revitalization groups, and municipalities – need your time, energy, and/or expertise! Can you set a goal to assist one of these organization in 2020, even in just a small way?
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Our committee members have already hit the ground running in 2020 – a result of their commitment to this network but also a result of our Annual Planning Retreat, held in December at Cold Springs Inn & Brewery along the Yellow Breeches Creek near Dillsburg. Are you interested in becoming a committee member? Check out our committees by visiting our
Leadership Committee
and
Subcommittees
webpages. 2020 Subcommittee work plans are coming soon.
Here are the big things that you need to know about South Mountain Partnership this month:
-Register now the
9
th
Annual “Power of the Partnership” Celebration
! Details can be found below. Help us welcome Secretary Dunn of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Secretary Redding of PA Department of Agriculture. Learn about place-based economic development from the Adams County Economic Alliance, Adams County Department of Planning and Development, Destination Gettysburg, and the Land Conservancy of Adams County + more.
-Water Workshop #1 and #2, events of the
South Mountain Speakers Series
, were held in December (Shippensburg) and January (Carlisle). Workshop #3 will be lead by the PA Organization for Waters and Rivers (POWR) and is scheduled for March 27.
- The leads of Water Workshop #1 were our partners at the Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin county Conservation Districts. This workshop resurrected the defunct annual Tri-County Watershed Association Meeting and served as a forum for clean water groups to share their work, challenges, and resources.
- The leads of Water Workshop #2 were Capital RC&D and staff of the South Mountain Partnership, in coordination with partners at Conservation Districts, POWR, and ALLARM at Dickinson College. Read on below for more details.
-The first round of Research Grants from the South Mountain Research Corps and Science Summit pilot are being awarded. To find out more the projects and this pilot program, visit our
South Mountain Research Corps and Science Summit
pilot web page.
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-The South Mountain Partnership/South Mountain Conservation Landscape was awarded annual operational and program funding through Round 25 of the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, administered by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Our grant award is provided by the
Environmental Stewardship Fund
.
Katie Hess, Director, South Mountain Partnership
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Last Chance to Register for the 9th Annual "Power of the Partnership" Celebration
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January 31, 2020
9th Annual "Power of the Partnership" Celebration
Liberty Ski Resort
Fairfield, Adams County
The 9th Annual "Power of the Partnership" Celebration will be held on January 31st in the Highland Lodge at Liberty Mountain Resort in Fairfield, Adams County.
The "Power of the Partnership" is an annual
breakfast event to celebrate our collective accomplishments each year and to preview what is to come. Winners of the 2019 South Mountain Mini-Grant Program will be announced, as will the recipient of the 2019
Spirit of South Mountain
Award. Agenda and r
egistration details are available
here
. Deadline to register is January 24, 2020.
Thank you to sponsors of the
9th Annual "Power of the Partnership" Celebration!
Investing in the South Mountain landscape benefits us all. We could
not accomplish our goals without the support of generous partners.
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Recap of January Water Workshop #2
and Next Steps
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On January 9, 2020, more than 45 representatives of county and municipal governments, watershed organizations, businesses, and nonprofits attended Water Workshop #2.
The agenda of this event was developed as a service to municipalities and clean water advocates and groups to catalyze more water work between them. Specific case studies from both municipalities and clean water groups demonstrated how more water work can be accomplished when clean water advocates and municipalities better understanding the goals, challenges, requirements, and resources of one another.
This workshop is part of a series offered through the South Mountain Speakers Series that highlights the importance of collaboration and unique thinking to bring about solutions to the region's water quality improvement work. It followed the successful resurrection of the Tri-County Watershed Association Meeting on December 3, 2019 at Shippensburg University, hosted by the Conservation Districts of Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin counties.
Elizabeth Grant, planner for Cumberland County, kicked off the presentations with a discussion on Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) - what are they and why are they important for watershed and community health. Watershed Specialists Tammy Piper (Franklin County) and Lori Glace (Cumberland County) continued the WIP conversation with a few things the conservation districts can do to help.
The next sessions focused on Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities and some resources out there to help those municipalities meet their MS4 requirements. Kelly Kurtas, MS4 Coordinator for South Middleton Township, and Rebecca Davis, MS4 Coordinator for Lower Allen Township, gave a detailed overview of what an MS4 is and encouraged attendees to join their Southcentral PA MS4 Workgroup. Next up was Phil Wolgemuth and Andy Stottlemyer from the Borough of Chambersburg to share their experiences with Pollution Reduction Plans (PRPs) as part of their MS4 requirements.
After a brief networking break, Lisa Beatty from the Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association and Ed Myers, from East Pennsboro Township, shared ways that they are partnering together to improve the creek and the community. MACWell board member, Claudia Peet, rounded out the session with an overview of the work that organization is doing in conjunction with Mercersburg Borough. The workshop wrapped up with time for all attendees to introduce themselves and share 1-2 projects they are working on or need assistance with.
All the presentations from the workshop can be found
here
. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next water workshop (see details below), and at our future events and activities!
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Final Water Workshop #3 Coming This Spring
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Clean water is essential to a healthy future for our families, communities, and landscape here in the South Mountain region. Unfortunately, we have many local impaired streams, where water quality is not good enough to use for drinking water, fishing, recreation, or for the aquatic life that feeds birds, fish, and the rest of the food chain. In 2018, the South Mountain Partnership Leadership Committee recommended that our network of partners focus its collective energy on Water Resources.
As part of that effort, a Water Workshop Series was developed to highlight the region's risks to water quality and quantity and what we can do to improve our water resources. These events are a service to local governments and clean water advocates and are part of the annual
South Mountain Speakers Series
.
Water Workshop #3: March 27, 2020 @
8:30 am at the Trails and Trees Environmental Education Center in Mechanicsburg
- This POWR Regional Water Workshop is for watershed organizations, related organizations, and interested individuals from throughout south-central Pennsylvania who want to build the capacity of their volunteers and organizations.
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Funding for Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management Now Available
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Is your community looking to improve local waters? What about reduce stormwater runoff, increase the amount of green space, or enhance quality of life for all? If so, consider applying for the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program.
The G3 Program supports design projects, financing strategies, and/or implementation of green street projects, as well as white papers on innovative ideas for green infrastructure and charrettes to plan and vision a green street project. Grants are open to local governments such as municipalities, non-profit organizations, neighborhood/community associations, and other nonprofit entities. Up to $15,000 can be awarded for conceptual plans, up to $30,000 for engineered designs, up to $100,000 for implementation projects, up to $50,000 for community greening projects, and up to $20,000 for white papers.
For more details or to apply for the G3 Grant Program,
visit their website
. Questions should be directed to the program’s grant manager, Jeffrey Popp, at 410-974-2941 ext. 103.
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Become a Master Watershed Steward!
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Are you interested in helping to protect and enhance local water quality, streams, and rivers while learning more and educating others? If so, please attend the informational meeting in Carlisle on January 29 at 7:00 pm. This free public information meeting will introduce the training program and volunteer requirements for volunteers in Cumberland County. For more information, contact Holly Smith at 717-240-6505 or hps5293@psu.edu. Meetings for other counties in Pennsylvania are being held in January and February;
check the website for more information and to register
.
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Businesses in the South Mountain Region Win Big at the 2020 PA Farm Show
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The South Mountain Partnership would like to congratulate all the winners of awards at the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show, especially those located in the South Mountain region of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties! The following is a round-up of many of the awardees’ Facebook posts celebrating their successes and a quick Google search too. We may have missed some of you… if so, we apologize and send our congrats to you too!
- Shatzer Fruit Market earned 64 FIRST Place Ribbons, 43 SECOND Place Ribbons and ONE BEST OF CLASS. They also brought home the Gabriel Heister Award for the Franklin County Horticulture Society.
- Hollabaugh Brothers’ homemade apple pie won FIRST place and BEST OF SHOW in the Fruit Pie category.
- At just 12 years old, Dillsburg native Karli Berkheimer and her steer, Spooky, took CHAMPION junior marker steer and hauled in $20,000 at the auction.
- GearHouse Brewing Company in Chambersburg won SECOND place in the PA Preferred category during the first-ever Farm Show beer competition.
- Desperate Times Brewery in Carlisle won SECOND place for their Black Forest beer in the Dark Lager category.
- EverGrain Brewery in Camp Hill won FIRST place in the wheat beer category for their Fluffhead beer.
- Aldus Brewing Company in Hanover won FIRST place in the IPA category for their beer, Jason Hates It IPA.
- Big Bottom Brewery of Dillsburg won THIRD place in the Porters category for their Low Coconut Porter and FIRST in the Kettle Sour category for their Appie I “Pearly” Know Ya beer.
- Ploughman Cider was recognized several times at the 3rd annual PA Cider Competition, winning the Heritage category for Stark and Rosedale varieties. Bluebird Day also tied in the fruited cider category.
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Trainings, Workshops, and Learning Opportunities
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January
January 14 (Through March 3)
Winter Fly Tying Classes
The Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting an 8-week long class for beginnings to advanced individuals on fly tying that runs every Tuesday night from January 14 to March 3 from 7-9 pm at the Boiling Springs High School room 110. People of all ages are welcome. The course is $15 for South Middleton Township residents and $20 for others. More info
here
.
January 18 (Through March 23)
Birds and Beverages
Help with Project FeederWatch at Kings Gap State Park. This community science project collects data on birds visiting feeders in the winter. Enjoy hot tea, cocoa, or coffee while watching the bird feeders and taking counts. Takes place every Saturday through March 23 from 9-11 am in the park education building. More info
here
.
January 18
Family Discovery: Mammals of Pennsylvania
Join staff at Kings Gap State Park to learn about the mammals that call our state home. Can you identify these animals by only their fur and skulls left behind? The program begins at 1 pm at the education center and will end with a leisurely walk in the woods. More info
here
.
January 23 (Through March 19)
Birding Thursdays
Enjoy hot tea, cocoa, or coffee while spending some time in the Kings Gap Education Building watching the birdfeeders and collecting count data. Experienced birders and beginners welcome. More info
here
.
January 28
Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program Information Session
Cumberland County will be training its first class of Master Watershed Stewards in the spring of 2020. The session starts at 7 PM and is located at the Cumberland Services Center — Allen Road Campus 310 Allen Road, Carlisle, Pa. 17013, Room PS3. For more information and to register, please contact Holly Smith at 717.240.6505 or
hps5293@psu.edu
.
January 29
York County Master Watershed Steward Information Session
This event begins at 7 pm. This free public information meeting will introduce the training program and volunteer requirements for volunteers in York County. More info
here
.
January 29
Woods in Your Backyard Webinar
Penn State Extension, the Center for Private Forests, the University of Maryland Extension, the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: Forests for the Bay Program have come together to host a webinar series at 7 pm to learn of all the ways that you can care for the Woods in Your Backyard. More info
here
.
January 31
Power of the Partnership Celebration
The annual Power of the Partnership is a breakfast meeting to celebrate our collective accomplishments each year and to preview what is to come. This year's event will take place at Liberty Mountain Resort from 7:30 to 10:30 am. More info
here
.
January 31
Deadline for ATC 2020 Ridgerunner and Caretaker Applications
Interested in helping take care of the Appalachian Trail? Consider applying for one of these positions. Detailed descriptions on each and how to apply are available
here
.
January 31
GreenGov Council Meeting
This public meeting is to give feedback on ways to boost green and sustainable practices in state government. It will be held at the PEMA headquarters, 310 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, at 1 PM. For more information on the public meeting or to RSVP, email
RA-GSGreenGov@pa.gov
or call 717-787-4987.
February
February 10
Water for Brewing
Today there are many options for brewers to understand, test, and modify their water in order to make great beer.Learn how the water you use affects the beer you brew. This session will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Shippensburg at 9 am. More info
here
.
February 23
Family Discovery: Tracks and Traces
Be a nature detective! Join Kings Gap State Park staff to uncover the mysteries left behind by animals around us. There’s lots of wildlife activity in winter even when temperatures are frigid. Program will end with a leisurely walk in the woods. Meet at the Education Building at 1 pm. More info
here
.
February 29
Leap Day Hike
Leap into March and get moving outdoors during this free winter hike at Kings Gap State Park at 1 pm. More info
here
.
March
March 15
What's in the Woods Hike
Join Kings Gap State Park staff for a free 1.5 – 2 mile hike on uneven terrain. What we can find in our woods this time of year? Can we find any signs of Spring? Meet at the Kings Gap Hollow Day Use Area at 2 pm. More info
here
.
March 21
Welcome Spring Hike
Enjoy the first official day of spring on the trails with this free 2 mile hike. Meet at the Kings Gap Hollow Day Use Area at 2 pm. More info
here
.
March 27
POWR Regional Water Workshop
This workshop is for watershed organizations, related organizations, and interested individuals from throughout south-central Pennsylvania who want to build the capacity of their volunteers and organizations. It will take place at the Trails and Trees Environmental Education Center in Mechanicsburg at 8:30 am. More info
here
.
March 29
Bird Box Volunteers: Training and Work Day
Interested in helping birds? Become a Bird Box Volunteer at Kings Gap State Park by attending this training from 1-4 pm. Volunteers check and record activity at boxes during the nesting season as part of the PA State Parks Cavity Nesting Program. For more info or to sign up, contact Kim at
kischubert@pa.gov
or 717-486-3799.
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Share your news with us!
Share with the region through the
Around South Mountain
e-newsletter!
Send us your events, trainings, work days, celebrations, and other updates. Type "Newsletter" in the subject line of your email. Include your event date, time, location, title, and short description to
khess@appalachiantrail.org
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