Partnership Welcome & Update

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.

What's in this Newsletter South Mountain News Spring (Virtual) Meeting: Last Change to Register Mini-Grant Application Round Closes This Week Social Media & Partner News Roundup Top Facebook Posts PRPS Outdoor Guidance for the Pandemic PA Tick Research Lab Trainings, Workshops & Learning Opportunities POWR Water Webinar PA Master Naturalist Class Calendar of Events

You'll notice a slightly different format for this e-newsletter. We want to make it more user-friendly, providing brief overviews for those on the go, with links to our website for additional details for those who want to dig deeper. In future newsletters you will see even more changes, all with the goal of providing you with the best that the South Mountain Partnership has to offer. As we implement these changes, please let us know what you think. Feel free to send me an email at khess@appalachiantrail.org . Our focus for the remainder of this spring and summer remains on facilitating subcommittee work and the 2020 Round of our mini-grant program – plus how to best continue convening and engaging you in conservation and preservation work while we cannot physically meet in large groups.

We are also days away from finalizing our new project with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities – more to come about that in the coming weeks and in the July/August newsletter!  Katie Hess, Director of the South Mountain Partnership

Read the full welcome message here.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARTNERSHIP NEWS

Last Chance to Register for the Spring (Virtual) Meeting!

Twice annually (Spring and Fall), the South Mountain Partnership holds a meeting where all partners and interested parties are invited to come together and build relationships and collaborations. Please join us for this free online meeting to learn about the York County Open Space and Land Protection Fund, the Dillsburg Heart & Soul Project, and the South Mountain Trolley Greenway. To see the full agenda, presenters, and other details, click here .

REGISTER HERE!

2020 Mini-Grant Program Closing Soon

The pre-application period for the 2020 Funding Round is open from Wednesday, April 1 through Friday, May 29. All pre-applications must be received by Friday, May 29, 2020. Only applicants with strong pre-applications will be invited to submit a final application by July 31. Invitations to submit final applications will be distributed by June 12, 2020. The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program was developed in 2009 and financial support is provided by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the Environmental Stewardship Fund .  To learn the full pre-application requirements and how to apply, click here .

Social Media & Partner News Roundup

The following are some of the most viewed posts from the South Mountain Partnership Facebook page over the past month, followed by some partner-submitted news we thought you might find useful. Not following our Facebook page yet? Follow us here to see all the latest news, upcoming events, and more!

Signature of Mont Alto State Park The Record Herald

Appreciating Preserved Properties Land Conservancy of Adams County

Litter Trap Storm Water Systems

Visit our Website

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PA Recreation and Park Society Issues Guidelines for Getting Outdoors During the Pandemic

Did you pull a tick off your leg after going for a hike and wonder... did I just get Lyme disease? Find a tick on your dog and think, of great! What if it was diseased? Well, wonder no longer! The PA Tick Research Lab will test that tick for FREE! DETAILS HERE

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

Trainings, Workshops & Learning Opportunities

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the individual partner organization's websites to see if any of the events listed below have been postponed or cancelled before going to the event. Stay healthy!

Water Webinar for Watershed Organizations

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) will host a free webinar on June 5 at noon on the Fundamentals of Drinking Water for Watershed Organizations . The presentation will cover the fundamentals of drinking water protection and management from source to tap for both private and public drinking water sources in Pennsylvania. Attendees will learn what role they can play in helping to ensure safe drinking water and protect local drinking water sources. Click here to register for this free event. For more information on programs, initiatives, other upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers website here .

Calendar of Events

JUNE June 9 Recognizing Efforts to Keep Your Community’s Water Clean Webinar Penn State Extension is hosting this free webinar about how to protect water sources at 1 pm. More info here . June 10 Model Grant of Conservation Easement Webinar: Providing for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Open-Space Uses  This is the 4th is a series of webinars about conservation easements, presented by the PA Land Trust Association. More info here . June 17 Model Grant of Conservation Easement Webinar: Rights and Duties of Holder and Beneficiaries This is the 5th is a series of webinars about conservation easements, presented by the PA Land Trust Association. More info here .

For a full listing of upcoming events, please visit our events page here .