SEPTEMBER 2020 CPC E-NEWSLETTER
Stay up to date on CPC's current projects, programs, and events!
CPC Closes on the 404-acre, Flemish Down Acquisition on Peters Mtn. in Dauphin County
On September 3, 2020, CPC purchased 404 acres of ridge and forest land along Peters Mountain in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County. The newly acquired parcel adjoins DCNR’s Joe Ibberson Conservation Area and State Gamelands #211, and it contains the historic Victoria Trail. This acquisition is intended for future transfer to adjoining public lands owned by the PA Game Commission (SGL #211) and the National Park Service (Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor). This project received critical financial assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund. It is also funded by a generous donation in value by Flemish Down LLC, former owners committed to protecting Clarks Creek Valley and Peters Mountain.
With this project, CPC expands the protection of the Peters Mountain landscape, eliminating prospects for new development on the mountain as Dauphin County and Harrisburg continue to grow. It preserves views and recreational opportunities, both hiking and hunting, while protecting forestland, wildlife habitat, and water resources, including a natural spring used by hikers on the Appalachian Trail.

The popular Peters Mountain shelter is located on the ridge of the acquired property. Built in 1994, the shelter accommodates up to 20 people and replaced the original Earl Shaffer shelter, which is now in the Appalachian Trail Museum at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Earl Shaffer was the first northbound AT thru-hiker in 1948 and the first southbound thru-hiker in 1965. A natural spring providing a water source to hikers is located down a steep trail of over 300 stone steps below the shelter on the north side.

“This is CPC's second bargain sale project with landowner Flemish Down, a family committed to preserving Clark's Creek Valley for future generations,” says Anna Yelk, CPC’s executive director. The first project was the 27-acre Bailey’s Grove Fishing Access and Natural Area. Initially donated by Flemish Down in 2010, CPC transferred the property to the PA Fish & Boat Commission. That project opened up one mile of public access to Clarks Creek, a designated High Quality Coldwater Fishery and popular site among anglers and kayakers. Barely 3 miles away lies the current Peters Mountain parcel. Rising 1,000 feet above Clarks Creek, this acquisition will open up 404 acres for public use in perpetuity.
Our family owned and took care of this land since early in the last century. We are happy and proud that, from now on, it will be open to the public, thanks to the forward-thinking work of the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, the State Game Commission, and the National Park Service. We hope hunters, hikers, nature lovers and bird watchers flock to this land, forever enjoying the beauty of the forest and the majestic views it affords of both Clarks Valley and Powells Valley.
— Michael Blum, Manager, Flemish Down, LLC 
I know my parents would have been delighted by this project. From my father laying out maps of Peters mountain on a table, to my mother leading groups of Girl Scouts on the Appalachian Trail, to a family story of my grandmother handing out snake-bite kits to workers up on the mountain, our property on Peters Mountain has been important to my family. Now it can be enjoyed by all for many years to come.
— Annette Alger Cameron Blum, Member, Flemish Down, LLC
Central PA Conservancy members and volunteers are in the process of completing more acquisitions, transfers, and conservation easements to secure other natural areas and public lands. You can contribute or help by becoming a member. CPC is a 501(c)3 land trust committed to conserving natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations through land acquisition, conservation easements, and outreach. CPC serves Cumberland, Perry, Franklin, Dauphin, and Juniata counties from offices in Carlisle.
ANNOUNCING CPC'S NEW WEBSITE!
We are thrilled to present a brand new website! CPC has partnered with a local web development firm, Pixel & Hammer, to bring you an all-new experience online. Our newly designed & developed website is faster, more modern, and makes it easier than ever to keep you up to date on our land protection projects, preserve properties and public access easements, events, partners, staff and board leadership, membership renewals, and volunteer opportunities, regardless of whether you are on your desktop, tablet, or mobile phone. Welcome to our new online home (click on image below) and don't hesitate to reach out with feedback.
Ironmaster's Challenge 15k Scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2020-See you there!
We look forward to seeing all registrants on Saturday, September 26th! Check-in starts at 8 am, and the race starts at 9 am. We are unable to register any new participants due to capacity limitations, so no new event-day registrations will be accepted. Our planning team is in swing with trail course recon, radio team checks, and event planning to ensure for a safe and fun day for all involved. Remember, this year will be slightly different as there is no 50k event, fewer attendees, and policies in place to adhere to CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines for outdoor events.

A few changes this year:
*masks are required at registration and the finishline, and voluntary while on the trail.
*everyone must bring a water bottle as there will be no cups.
*at registration, we'll take temperatures and ask questions to screen for COVID-19 per CDC guidelines.
*pre-packaged foods, bananas, and water will be available at registration and aid stations, and a brown bag lunch prepared by a caterer will be offered at the finishline.
*for beverages, Molly Pitcher Brewing Company came through with a donation! One beer and one non-alcoholic beverage per person is the limit.
*Click here for our COVID Plan.

Awards will be given (Overall Winners plus 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 5 age categories). If recipients must leave before the announcements, we will mail you your award after the event. 

Thank you for your cooperation, participation, and support during a difficult year for everyone. It will be a memorable day indeed and please stay tuned for a detailed email next week!

Finally, a big thanks goes out to our partners at the Radio Club of York, Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, F&M Trust, Select Medical, Boyer & Ritter, Boles Metzger, Mid Penn Bank, West Shore Family Dentistry, Molly Pitcher Brewing Co. & Hershey's.
CPC Receives Grant from PA Historical & Museum Commission for Barn Restoration at the Letort Spring Garden Preserve
Central PA Conservancy was one of 52 other grant recipients this year to receive support from the PA Historical & Museum Commission! We are thrilled to announce that $34,672 was awarded for the restoration of the c. 1881 Melester Barn (now listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and associated 1820’s springhouse. They are central structures at CPC's Letort Spring Garden Preserve, a former watercress farm located at the headwaters of the treasured limestone trout stream south of Carlisle in Cumberland County. The grant will cover roof rehabilitation, carpentry, masonry, painting, and renovation of the springhouse. Overall, the project will have far-reaching impact in fostering an appreciation for local heritage, a primary goal for the new nature preserve that offers year-round access to the public. 

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of PA and this year awarded $2.6 million in Keystone Historic Preservation grants to help historical and heritage organizations, museums and local governments in 24 counties. These grants receive funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, a fund that is supported annually from a portion of the state realty transfer tax revenue.
Buy Native Plants this Fall and Support CPC! We've partnered with Diakon Wilderness Center for an online sale through Oct. 10th!
Join us for a virtual fundraiser together with the Diakon Wilderness Greenhouse and Native Plant Nursery!

The online store will be open for CPC members and friends from now until October 10th. A portion of each sale will support the land protection projects of CPC, including the conservation easement we are recording soon for the Diakon Wilderness Center! Thanks for purchasing native plants to enrich local habitat and support the good work of local nonprofits!
CPC will only get credit if you use the coupon code: $5CPC
Carlisle Rotary Club Volunteers at Letort Spring Garden Preserve
The Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club helped CPC kick-off the fall planting season, giving forever homes to sixty, lucky wetland wildflowers!! Nineteen volunteers and four CPC Letort Stewards really knocked it out! Each of the 1-gal containers--cutleaf coneflower, monkeyflower, new york aster, swamp milkweed, and joe pye--was grown in our little nursery at the Preserve. We're so thankful for the support from the local community at the Letort Spring Garden Preserve!
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