Season's Greetings from 
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy
Thank you for your generous support through 2018! 
We wish you a safe and peaceful holiday and a healthy and happy new year.
In This Issue
CPC Year End Appeal
Spangler Acquisition
Register for the 2019 Ironmaster's Challenge
Molly Pitcher Brewing Company Open House for Letort Preserve
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December 2018 CPC E-News
News about CPC's projects and events

CPC's Year End Membership Drive
We welcome you to review a year-end letter from CPC's president, Ken Waidelich, mailed to members with an appeal for continued support. A very big thank you to the 140 CPC members who responded with their generous contributions! We are so grateful to count you as a key member of this organization. To those interested in becoming a member of CPC, we applaud your support at any level and welcome your commitment to keeping our small, but active and growing land trust a viable force for conservation in our region.
Click  here  to view the Year-End Appeal
Click  here  to view the Membership Brochure
Click  here  to make an Online Donation





Announcing the Spangler Acquisition to Connect Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area in Dauphin County to a Local Park
We are thrilled to announce that funds have been secured to complete a 5-parcel acquisition on the Kittatinny Ridge immediately north of Harrisburg and just off the Blue Mountain Parkway from Linglestown Rd. The protection project will connect the Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area with Hocker Park in Lower Paxton Township and thereby provide a second public access to residents at the top of the ridge. The goal is to work together with Lower Paxton Township to improve the ridgeline trail (former east-short Darlington Trail) and trailhead and parking area. While eventual transfer to the Boyd Conservation Area is part of the plan, CPC intends to hold the land in fee and manage it as a preserve property until a transfer is feasible. 

This project builds on an earlier addition to Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area spearheaded by CPC together with another local landowner in 2002. CPC acquired an 80-acre parcel, and subsequently transferred it to DCNR's Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area. The Spangler lands adjoin this parcel, and once acquired, will extend the protected corridor all the way to the Blue Mountain Parkway.

This project is made possible by a recently-awarded a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. This year marks the 25th anniversary of legislation establishing the Keystone Fund, which is financed by a real estate transfer tax and has supported $1B for parks, trails, community green spaces, and libraries. A grant of $229,000 was approved to support the bargain sale purchase of the Spangler parcels.

The Alexander Boyd and Jane Starke Boyd Charitable Foundation and a landowner donation of value completed the financing with generous commitments both monetarily, and to the goal of preserving natural and recreational resources in their communities. This project also marks another success for the Kittatinny Ridge Land Partnership, an effort administered by The Nature Conservancy and formed by 7 regional land trusts (including CPC) to advance land conservation efforts on the 185 miles of ridgeline running through PA. Protecting the ridge will preserve critical habitat for migratory bird species and mammals, secure a connected migratory corridor, support recreational activity and public access, and preserve an important part of PA's natural heritage for future generations.




Registration is OPEN for the 2019 Ironmaster's Challenge

In partnership with Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, CPC is pleased to announce that registration is open for its 10th annual Ironmaster's Challenge to be held on Sunday, April 28, 2019. It will feature a 50k Ultra and a 15k Challenge, trail courses that wind through the diverse terrain of Michaux State Forest, Tumbling Run Game Preserve, and Pine Grove Furnace State Park. In partnership with Pretzel City Sports, professional timing will be offered for all race participants.

Registration includes a challenging and well-staffed course, beautiful views, a tech t-shirt, lunch, and beer/beverages, all for only $75 for the 50k race and $45 for the the 15k race. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore rustic trails, enjoy great views, and put your trail running and hiking skills to the test. After March 1st, fees will rise.

To register for either event, click here.

Event proceeds support the Central PA Conservancy (CPC), a regional nonprofit land trust dedicated to natural resource protection through land acquisition, conservation easements, education, and outreach.

We welcome and encourage friends and family members of race participants to volunteer at the event while cheering for your loved one. To sign up to volunteer, please click here.

CPC would like to thank our committed title sponsor, F & M Trust, for continuing to support this event through a lead sponsorship gift.  And, Molly Pitcher Brewing Company recently signed on as an event sponsor and will provide fresh beer for all participants at the finishline!  If you or your company would like more information about sponsorship opportunities and benefits, please click here.

For more information, please visit the Facebook Page or the Ironmaster's Challenge Website. You may also contact Anna Yelk, Executive Director, at ayelk@centralpaconservancy.org or (717) 241-4360.

We are looking forward to seeing you there and thank you for supporting this event!


Join us on Friday, January 25th, 2019 at the Molly Pitcher Brewing Company, 5-9 pm for brews and news on the Letort Spring Garden Preserve


Gather together with CPC, Friends of the Letort/Letort Regional Authority, and Molly Pitcher Brewing Company in support of the newly-acquired, Letort Spring Garden Preserve for a night of good beer, good company, and a good cause.

Molly Pitcher Brewing Company is opening up both upstairs and downstairs spaces as an open house to feature a re-launching of Bonnybrook Brew, the same beer served at last year's fundraiser. A portion of proceeds will help support the cause for as long as the batch lasts (2-3 months). Come meet other CPC members, board members, staff, and friends and learn about new partnerships and events at the preserve. We plan to sell special pint glasses, t-shirts, and books, and give a special thanks to our Letort Leadership Circle donors, so please come out and join the fun!  

Proceeds from the evening will be used for restoring, maintaining, and stewarding the Letort Spring Garden Preserve, including the development of a management and restoration plan, installation of preserve signage, stabilizing and securing the historic structures, launching educational programming, and managing invasive plants.
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax exempt organization as provided by IRS regulations. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free (within PA) 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.