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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It should go without saying that clean, healthy water is essential to a wealthy and healthy future for our families, communities, and landscape here in the South Mountain region. We have many local impaired streams, meaning that the water quality is not high enough to use for drinking water, fishing, recreation, or aquatic life that feeds birds, fish, and the rest of the food chain. The core group of Partners who serve as our Leadership Committee took a bold step in December 2018 and recommended that the South Mountain Partnership network of partners focus its collective energy on Water Resources. Since that decision, we have reached out to and learned from those who are on-the-ground and doing water quality improvement work.
Although each of us has a responsibility for keeping our local waters healthy, the water of the South Mountain landscape is mostly protected and improved by each county's Conservation District, watershed organizations and associations, and land conservation and preservation groups along with many other local, county, state, and federal agencies, non-profits, and businesses. They have made substantial progress over the past few decades and seem to continuously work in challenging situations.
Perhaps the most important thing that these partners have taught us is about their involvement in the task of writing and implementing county Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plans in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, plans that will first and foremost improve our local waters. It’s a big opportunity for us to reduce water pollution, improve quality of life, address flooding problems, and get credit for work already underway.
The South Mountain Partnership adds value to this work because it is our role to better connect the network of people and organizations throughout the landscape. We do this by helping to convene and facilitate meetings, forums, and less formal conversations; breaking down silos and bridging connections across boundaries; engaging partners and the public; and translating conversation into action by supporting partner projects.
How we support water resource work:
June 2018
: Surveyed attendees at the
PA South Central Regional Watershed Workshop
, learned that many organizations wanted to better collaborate with local government and better connect with other organizations, resources, and opportunities
May 2019
:
Spring Partnership Meeting
introduced the County Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPIIIs) that each of our counties will implement through 2025 and technical and funding resources available through Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership
June 2019
:
2019 South Mountain Mini-Grant Program
prioritized projects that protect or promote water resources and those that would implement conservation goals found in local or county conservation and comprehensive plans
August 2019
: Began planning a series of Spring 2020 events in coordination with Conservation Districts in Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin counties, as well as
ALARM
,
Capital RC&D
, and
POWR
, each event will cover a different way to improve the ways that groups and governments plan and coordinate water work
September 2019
:
Fall Partnership Meeting
will bring strong and innovative case studies to the region, such as Lancaster Clean Water Partners, Precision Conservation Mapping, and possible funding opportunities
by Katie Hess, Director, South Mountain Partnership
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Register Now! for Fall Partnership Meeting
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Fri, Sep 13, 2019 9:00 AM EST
South Mountain Partnership Fall Meeting
Trellis Terrace at Penn National,
Fayetteville
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The Fall Mountain Partnership meeting will be held on Friday, September 13 at the Trellis Terrace of Penn National in Fayetteville, Franklin County.
This meeting will continue the focus on water quality, including county Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs), the Lancaster Clean Water Partner's model for forming public-private partnerships for taking action, the Chesapeake Conservancy's Precision Conservation mapping capabilities, and recommendations and potential funding resources for water quality work from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.
Registration is required by September 9th.
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September Speakers Series to Focus on Illegal Dumping
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The South Mountain Speakers Series is an annual lecture series hosted by the South Mountain Partnership. Each event highlights a specific topic or challenge central to the Partnership’s mission and goals of protecting and promoting landscape resources. The Series also provides a vehicle for engaging the public in on-going, informed dialogue about conservation challenges facing the South Mountain landscape.
The next South Mountain Speakers Series event will take place on September 12, 6:30 pm, at Caledonia State Park in Fayetteville.
During the "Methods of Combating Illegal Dumping and Vandalism in a Forest Setting" presentation, you will discover ways to fight illegal dumping and vandalism from Forest Ranger Todd Ottinger and
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Program Coordinator Rob Dubas. Technical, social, cultural and financial aspects of the problem will be explored.
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 19
th
century Michaux Lectures were an educational mission that catalyzed real change in Pennsylvania’s environmental history. As we face the challenges of the 21
st
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.
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Statewide Greenways & Trails Summit
Shippensburg - this September
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Join us! in Shippensburg next month for this Summit - register before August 31 to get the discounted rates.
This three-day statewide summit provides exceptional training and networking opportunities for those engaged in all aspects of greenway and trail work, including planning and economic professionals; trail and conservation staff, board members, and volunteers; park professionals; local, county, and state government officials; consultants and builders; and trail enthusiasts.
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Profiling the award-winning cidery hidden atop the rolling foothills the South Mountain in Adams County, Pennsylvania.
Settling in Adams County for the unique microclimates and soil types that the area is known for and their personal histories with the area, Lehman's and Kishbaugh’s orchards are home to more than 40 varieties of apples chosen specifically for their ciders.
But more of it is just about having the land and our ties tothe land. Troy has said this before, "There are other areas in the country where you can grow pretty fruit, but I don't think that they can get the flavor profile that we can get from this little area of the country, right on the side of South Mountain."
by Noah Shatzer, South Mountain Partnership Communications Intern
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Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation
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PA Environmental Digest Blog
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Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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Trainings, Workshops, and Learning Opportunities
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August
August 29
Ordinance Adoption Procedures & PA Sunshine Law
This free workshop will discuss adoption processes under the PA Municipalities Planning Code and present in detail the steps and timeline for enacting zoning ordinances and zoning and map amendments, as well as processes for subdivision and land development ordinances and comprehensive plans. To register: acopd@adamscounty.us, 717-337-9824
September
September 1-11
Friends of Michaux - help collect seeds
The Friends will help DCNR to collect seeds from Allegheny chinquapin, an important wildlife tree to be propagated for expanding in the Michaux and other state forests. Seed collection will occur between Sept 1-11,
but the exact date depends on when seeds are ready. The collection site is near the the northern end of Michaux. There will be a short lead time on this event, but if you have flexibility in your daily schedule and you'd like to be alerted, send an email to friendsofmichauxstateforest@gmail.com to be added to the distribution e-mail list. Later in the fall, there will be scrub oak and pine seed collecting - more on that in a later update.
September 7
Volunteers needed for tree planting
Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association,
PennState Cumberland County Master Gardeners
and
East Pennsboro Township
are teaming up to plant a variety of native seedlings to create a natural storm water basin to help reduce stormwater runoff, erosion & pollution. 9am-until trees are planted. Register by emailing ccwadocs@gmail.com or calling East Pennsboro Twp at 717-732-0711.
September 10
Municipal Land Preservation Forum - Boiling Springs
Join us to learn about options and tools for municipal land preservation and how to build support in your community for permanent land protection. This free event takes place at the South Middleton Township Municipal Building in Boiling Springs.
More info
.
September 10
Antietam Creek Celebration
To launch the new school year, Renfrew Institute and the WaterStriders invite you to learn about WaterStriders, a free after school water science program for 6th grade and up, play in the creek, water quality testing, crayfish catch and release, and potluck picnic.
3:30pm. RSVP to Kristie Rhodes at dragonfly_renfrew@outlook.com or call with questions 717-762-0373.
September 12
Speakers Series: Methods of Combating Illegal Dumping and Vandalism in a Forest Setting - Caledonia State Park
Discover ways to fight illegal dumping and vandalism through a joint presentation by Forest Ranger Todd Ottinger and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Coordinator Rob Rubas. This free event begins at 6:30 pm at Caledonia State Park.
September 13
Fall Partnership Fall Meeting
Join us for a morning of learning, networking, and sharing of information at the annual Fall Partnership Meeting, to be held at the Trellis Terrace at Penn National in Fayetteville, Franklin County. Informal networking, coffee, and light snacks begin at 8:30am. The event will begin at 9:00am.
Details and registration.
September 17
Friends of Michaux Meeting
September 21
Friends of Michaux trail work day
September 24-25
Stormwater Management Planting Workshops
In this two day series (you can register for only one day), there is something for everyone. Community volunteers, elected officials, homeowners, professional landscape designers and architects, engineers and landcare professionals will enjoy a full day hands-on design workshop with a pair of stormwater management experts and an evening talk with C. West, co-author of Planting in a Post-Wild World (Timber Press, 2015). Presented by Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Three Rivers Wet Weather and The Penn State Center. Reservations are required in advance, so sign up today online or by phone at 412/441-4442, ext. 3925.
More info.
September 26
20,000 Acres Celebration, Cumberland County Agricultural Land Preservation Board
Join in celebrating the preservation of 20,000 acres of farmland in Cumberland County at Paulus Farm Market (1216 South York St, Mechanicsburg) at 11:00am. RSVP by Sept 10 to planning@ccpa.net, 717-240-5362
Please contact us anytime to add additional training opportunities to this list. Email your event date, time, location, title, and short description to
khess@appalachiantrail.org
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Do you have good news
to share?
Share it 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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