Over 115 individuals gathered together from throughout Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties for the only regional event celebrating the efforts to protect and promote this wonderful place that we all call home. This year the refreshed event took place during harvest, outdoors, and offered a local lunch menu, inspirational speakers, and ways to connect and celebrate with friends and colleagues new and old - including hard cider samples and activities with a view! Keynote speaker, Secretary Cindy Adams-Dunn, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, helped to award over $50,000 of grants and the Spirit of South Mountain award. If you were not able to join us this year, we hope to see you next fall!

Thank you to our generous sponsors (above) and meal sponsors (below) for making this refreshed event possible!

On Sept 30, 2022 the South Mountain Partnership announced its 2022 Grant Recipients at its Annual “Power of the Partnership” Celebration Event. The South Mountain Partnership’s Mini-Grant Program is intended to catalyze on-the-ground projects that further the goals of the Partnership, and to advance the capacity of partners to complete projects throughout the region.

New this year, SMP announced a small-scale funding opportunity supported directly by donors to the Friends of the South Mountain Partnership called the "Flex Grants". In addition to supporting the SMP mission and goals, this program prioritizes projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our region.

Read the full press release on these exciting projects here.

Each year at the "Power of the Partnership" Celebration we present the Spirit of South Mountain to an individual, a project or an organization that advances the mission of the South Mountain Partnership and has made a significant contribution to the landscape. This year we awarded the Spirit of the South Mountain to the Monterey Pass Battlefield Park Trail System Improvements Project, accepted by Jeff Geeseman of Washington Township, Franklin County.

The Monterey Pass Park Trail Project is located just outside of Waynesboro and is a 125-acre natural, cultural, and historical park.

The South Mountain Research Corps (SMRC) is seeking opportunities to support academic and student-focused research in environmental sciences, forestry, agriculture, cultural and historic resources, geology, geography, and land use planning.

Who: Eligible applicants are higher-ed institutions with faculty and student teams.

What: Research grants of up to $3,000.00 for projects that help address South Mountain Regional research priorities.

When: Applications are due November 18, 2022

How: Online application can be found here. 

We held our first “Walk and Talk” Sept 9 at Monroe Township Park! We have two more exciting walks planned for this fall. Enjoy learning something new while recreating!

These walks are free to attend but registration is required. Did you know our Friends of the South Mountain Partnership receive first access to register? Become a friend here to make sure you don't miss out!

Dates and times soon to be announced for “Tending Change on Michaux Walk and Talk with a Ranger” and “Exploring Partnership at Conewago Creek” stay tuned!

How are we doing?

We wondered the same thing! So naturally, we are excited to share with you that the South Mountain Partnership has begun the inaugural State of the Region Card. 

We know the region has an abundance of resources – natural, cultural and historic, agricultural and recreational, and all contribute to making the South Mountain region a special place, but we asked ourselves, “what are we doing to continue to improve the quality of life and place in the South Mountain region?” 

The Report Card is an opportunity to assess the quality of the South Mountain landscape in these areas and others . Working closely with our partner counties – Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York – the report will help provide observations and identify trends, and challenges across the region to help focus the process. It will tell us about our region’s current public and environmental health across a variety of topics and establish actions that residents, municipal officials, nonprofit organizations, and businesses can take to improve our region for a healthier future. Read more here.

South Mountain Partnership is seeking photos of the South Mountain landscape, events, agriculture, recreation, and people enjoying where they live. We are passionate about our home on the South Mountain. It is a special place with special views, plentiful water, orchards, families at play, abundant wildlife, hiking trails, history, fruits stands, and more. Help us bring our core messages to life through photography. We will be holding two rounds and both offer cash prizes!

The following are some of the most popular social media news posts,

followed by partner-submitted news that you should know about.

Follow us for the latest news, upcoming events, and more!

Mini-Grant Update at the Appalachian Trail Museum! 

$3.3 million in Funding for region

Partners planning retreat

Join us in Welcoming Suzanne! 

Suzanne Hartley started as Michaux State Forest’s first Environmental Education Specialist in the beginning of August. As an Environmental Education Specialist, Suzanne hopes to highlight the challenges and work that is being done to conserve the cultural, geological, and ecological resources within Michaux State Forest. 

Suzanne’s interest in conservation stems from wading streams, catching strange insects, and growing flowers and vegetables on her family’s farm in Lancaster County. To pursue her passion for all living things, she earned her undergraduate in biology and geography from Millersville University. Interested in bridging the gap between people and science, she completed a master’s degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from North Carolina State University. More recently, Suzanne worked at American Public Gardens Association. Suzanne lives in Carlisle with her spouse, Nate Hartley, and their dog Bella. When not at work, her interests include gardening, hiking, pottery, and kayaking. She is excited to bring her interests in Citizen and Community Science to Michaux where she hopes to engage in caring for and knowing about the forest more deeply every time they visit. 

Camp Michaux, a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (CCC) and abandoned World War II Prisoner of War Interrogation Camp in Michaux State Forest, has been heavily invaded by non-native plant species over many decades, harming the natural landscape and obscuring historical features.

“Our natural spaces are full of important history and we must preserve sites like Camp Michaux to ensure the knowledge and lessons of the past are not lost,” Dunn said. “I am grateful to the Michaux State Forest staff for prioritizing the restoration efforts at the camp to ensure future visitation and education, particularly because of the connection to conservation linked to the camp.” Read on here.

Our work is featured in the Fall edition of the Land Trust Alliance’s Saving Land Magazine, a national publication! The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Landscape Conservation Program and partnership in both the South Mountain Partnership and the Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape, and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resource's ongoing commitment to landscape-scale conservation is highlighted as part of the growing popularity of Return on Environment Reports.

Cumberland County ROE

Franklin County ROE

The full magazine can be viewed and downloaded here. The article starts on page 24. Thanks for the role that you play in this great work!

Executive Director, Capital RC&D

The Capital Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area Council is a locally led nonprofit that creates partnerships of citizens, businesses, agencies, and organizations in its seven-county area to enhance the quality of life for those who live and work here. The Executive Director is a full-time employee of Capital RC&D and is responsible for the overall mission, planning, administration and management of the organization as well as the management of all Capital RC&D staff. Apply by Nov 3, 2022. 

Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee: Looking for volunteer members.

The deadline to submit resumes/letters of interest is Monday, October 31st. The Trails Advisory Committee webpage has instructions for applying as well as information about the committee expectations and meetings.