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News Around South Mountain
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We already know that the great work of our Partners to highlight, conserve, and preserve the region's Landscape Resources is making a difference
- you probably do too! Other conservation organizations and professionals are noticing too:
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Capacity Building Initiative Kick-Off Meeting
to be Held July 22nd
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The Core Partners will come together for a Kick-Off meeting on July 22nd. Here is what we plan to accomplish during this first meeting:
- Discuss and get clarity about what the capacity building initiative is, available funding, timelines, etc;
- Get to know one another (better);
- Collectively decide on the group's goals and priorities;
- Create a process and simple governance structure to work together towards our goals and priorities over next 6 months, including producing a work plan for years 2 and 3 of the capacity building initiative and identifying capacity needs (both of which are needed to apply for funding).
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Did One of Your Commissioners Participate in Our July 12th South Mountain Tour?
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Local businesses, non-profits, and governments joined representatives of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources joined in touring six stops in the South Mountain Landscape.
"South Mountain Partnership regularly organizes events like this as an opportunity for local governments, businesses, non-profits, residents, and DCNR to interact, to build and strengthen relationships, and to spark collaboration on conservation and preservation projects" said South Mountain Partnership Director Katie Hess. "We brought together 40 individuals from across Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin Counties and DCNR today to speak specifically about the conservation of our region's landscape resources and to learn from role-models throughout the region."
The tour stops were chosen to highlight strong project models and strategic investments made by South Mountain Partnership through meetings, initiatives, and Mini-Grants. Tour stops and topics included:
Commissioners from across the South Mountain Landscape, including Adams County Commissioners Randy Phiel, Jim Martin, Marty K. Qually; Cumberland County Commissioner Jim Hertzler; and Franklin County Commissioner Bob Thomas, attended various stops of the tour. Please thank them for taking the time to attend this important event!
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Join the Hammonds Rocks Clean Up Part III
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July 23 @ 9:00 am -
1:00 pm
If you missed the big graffiti removal day in June, here's your chance to join in the sequel. Again, the order of the day is removing several years of graffiti. This work may involve machinery and/or bio-degradable chemical applications, so participants should be over the age of 18 and not have chemical sensitivities.
Earplugs, latex gloves and other work items provided. Please bring safety glasses if you have them, as our supply is limited.
Sign up here! Directions to a meeting place for travel to the worksite will be emailed to you.
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Next South Mountain Speakers Series
Scheduled for August 25th
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The South Mountain Speakers Series is presented as a revival of the
Michaux Lectures
, a series of talks given by
Joseph Rothrock
to build a groundswell of public support for his work to preserve and restore Pennsylvania's forested landscape. The late 19th century Michaux Lectures were an educational mission that catalyzed real change in Pennsylvania's environmental history. As we face the challenges of the 21st century, the South Mountain Speakers Series is intended to encourage a new generation to find in the past a positive vision for the future of the South Mountain landscape.
Join us for the next Speakers Series event on August 25th - Fly Fishing & Conservation at the TCO Fly Shop in Boiling Springs.
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In order to create a statewide preservation plan that is helpful for you and your
community
, we need to know what you value about your
community
, its challenges, and how you feel about historic preservation in Pennsylvania.
Let your voice - the voice of the South Mountain region - be heard by taking the quick survey!
For more information about the PA SHPO, historic preservation in Pennsylvania, and the statewide preservation plan, please visit www.pahistoricpreservation.com.
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Trainings, Workshops, & Learning Opportunities
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July
Women Farmers: The Risk of Farming
Women farmers are at risk for many kinds of physical and emotional challenges that can affect the long-term financial health of their farms. Join this event to learn more about the risks women farmers face and resources available to mitigate them. Resources, demos, and resources will be shared. Register here.
July 27 - Webinar
Analysis of Ecosystem Service Valuation...
Water quality benefits associated with biomass crops...the work aims to quantify the water quality benefits associated with perennial grasses and winter energy crops. Registration is not required to attend but ensures that you will receive monthly reminders about upcoming topics.
August
August 9 - York
Exploring the Small Farm Dream
Farmer's market vendors, farm stands, and u-pick fruit and vegetable farms are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere. Are you thinking about starting a farm business but not sure how to get started? This event is designed to help you decide if starting a farm business is right for you. Register here.
August 31 - Webinar
The Little Conestoga Partnership: A Community Watershed Approach to Stormwater Management
A locally-led partnership known a the Little Conestoga Partnership worked collaboratively over a three year period from 2013-2015 to assist municipalities and suburban/urban landowner with innovative, cost effective tools and approaches to achieve and maintain reductions in stormwater pollution. This case study describes how the project happened and provides lessons learned to guide municipalities considering working together to address stormwater obligations. Registration is not required to attend but ensures that you will receive monthly reminders about upcoming topics.
Register here.
August 18 - Chambersburg
Mock Food Safety Audit Twilight Meeting
Produce inspectors from PDA will mock audit The Fulton Center farm to see how 3rd party audits can work on small scale farms. Register here.
September
September 22 - Harrisburg
Dive Deeper III: Youth Water Educators Summit
Anyone from across the Mid-Atlantic region who is interested in teaching youth and adults about water should attend this biennial multi-state environmental education summit.Presentations and exhibits feature innovative teaching strategies, new technology tools, new lesson plans and
curriculum, and updated information about water issues in our communities
October
October 16-18 Allentown
PA Chapter Conference, American Planning Association
Join planners from across the Commonwealth for sessions, tours, and exhibits about planning issues and projects.
November
November 15-18 - Houston, Texas
Past Forward, The National Preservation Conference
PastForward is the premier educational and networking event for historic preservation professionals, volunteer leaders, and advocates. Expert practitioners lead learning labs and field studies, all designed to provide tools that participants can use to improve their own communities. Preservation Studio offers attendees the chance to explore exhibits, see live demonstrations and watch films. In addition, the live streaming TrustLive engages new audiences as they explore preservation through new lenses.
November 15 - Hustontown, PA
Specialty Crop Tour for Young Growers
Hosted by the Young Grower Alliance. Tuscarora Growers Coop was founded in 1988 when three growers banded together to help manage the demands for prduce they received at the Baltimore and DC markets. Today it is a three million dollar business, owned and managed exclusively by its members. Participants will discuss daily operations of a food hub, see multi storage coolers and docking facilities, fall production in high tunnels, and review the 2016 season's Extension practices. Register here.
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Contact us anytime to add additional training opportunities to this list! khess@appalachiantrail.org
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Do you have news to share with the South Mountain Region? We welcome you to submit announcements and updates of projects and events that are strengthening our quality of life.
Include an image and brief description of the event or call to action (approximately 3 sentences).
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CALL TO ACTION
Looking for ways to get involved in the South Mountain community? Consider contacting the following organizations:
Appalachian Trail Museum
contact: atmuseumfriends@gmail.com
Audubon LeTort Stream Studies Program
contact: Holly Smith, 717-514-4607
Friends of Pine Grove State Furnace Park
contact: 717-486-7174
Friends of Caledonia State Park
contact: 717-352-2161
Get Involved through the
PA Parks & Forest Foundation
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