Partnership Welcome & Update |
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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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What's in this Newsletter
SMP News
- "Power of the Partnership" Celebration Highlights Mini-Grant Awardees
- Spirit of South Mountain Award Goes to...
Social Media & Partner News Roundup
- Top Social Media Posts
- Climate Series Focus of "Smart Talk"
- Soil Documentary
Trainings, Workshops & Learning Opportunities
- Solar Power Impacts
- Calendar of Events
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Greetings!
We have big dreams for this region and a vision of – a South Mountain landscape of conserved resources and vibrant communities sharing a common sense of place and collaborating on well-planned growth and sustainable economic development. It will take all of us working together to realize this vision for sustainability. You can join us by getting involved in the South Mountain Partnership!
If you missed the exciting announcements during our annual celebration in January, do not worry, we have lots of ways for you to catch-up in this edition. If you want a summary of our 2020, be sure to review the Year In Review. There are short videos for you learn about the newest South Mountain Mini-Grant projects and why Dr. Claire Jantz was awarded the 9th Spirit of South Mountain award. If you want to take a deep dive into Landscape Conservation and the value of partnering to preserve our region, be sure to review the panel discussion that took place during the annual celebration with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau, and the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University.
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It's a new year, which means we are hard at work on new and exciting projects with partners across the region. How can you help this work? By joining the Friends of South Mountain Partnership. The Friends group allows us to accept federally tax deductible donations, initiate a corporate sponsorship program, and fund administrative support for our trademark annual events. You can buy yourself a membership or give one as a gift. Learn more here.
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SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARTNERSHIP NEWS |
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"Power of the Partnership" Celebration Highlights Mini-Grant Awardees |
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On January 29, 2021, more than 100 people met virtually to celebrate the South Mountain landscape and the work of its partners to invest in a sustainable, healthy future for our communities and citizens. The condensed agenda included welcomes from PA DCNR Secretary Dunn, Cumberland County Commissioner DiFilippo, and event sponsors; panel discussion about Landscape Conservation and the value of partnering to preserve the South Mountain region with representatives from DCNR, Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University, and Appalachian Trail Conservancy; and presentation of the 9th Spirit of South Mountain Award and 2020 Mini-Grant Awards.
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2020 South Mountain Mini-Grant award recipients were announced! Funded through the Environmental Stewardship Fund administered by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, it is an annual program that furthers the mission and vision of the Partnership and advances the capacity of partners to complete projects throughout the region.
In the last 12 years, over 65 projects have been completed through the Program – just over $490,000 in grants have been awarded: leveraging more than $1,000,000 in matching funds.
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This year’s awardees are:
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Cumberland County Historical Society for their “Two Mile House Management Plan and Interpretation” project that will preserve the historic building that was built in 1820 and build a connector trail to a nearby hospital for patients and staff to use
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Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association for “Creek Clean-up Equipment and Commemorative Booklet” project that will fund the purchase of a trailer for creek clean-up and riparian buffer planting events and allow them to do more outreach
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Mt Tabor Preservation Project and Mount Holly Springs Borough for “Phase 1 of the Mt Tabor AME Zion Church Restoration” that will help begin the preservation process for this historic church built in 1870
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Adams County Farmers Market for their “Strategic Planning and SMP Partner Cross-Promotion” project that will address food insecurity in the region while supporting local farmers
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The Spirit of South Mountain award Goes to...
Dr. Claire Jantz
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Each year we recognize an individual, project, or organization that has made significant contributions to advancing a positive and sustainable future for the South Mountain landscape. The Spirit of South Mountain award is presented at this event, our annual celebration.
Nominated by the Friends of Michaux State Forest with support from Michaux District Forest and the Center for Land Use and Sustainability, the 9th Spirit of South Mountain Award goes to Dr. Claire Jantz.
Please join us in congratulating - and thanking - Dr. Jantz for her Spirit of South Mountain!
We formally delivered the award to Dr. Jantz and invited her to share a few remarks with the broader Partnership - see the video below.
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Photo courtesy of CLUS @ Shippensburg University |
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Social Media & Partner News Roundup |
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Most Popular Social Media Posts |
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The following are some of the most recent popular posts from our Facebook page,
followed by partner-submitted news we thought you might find useful.
Follow us for the latest news, upcoming events, and more!
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Partnership Series Is the Focus of Radio Broadcast |
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Photo courtesy of WITF Smart Talk website |
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On December 4, WITF's "Smart Talk" radio broadcast focused on the Partnership's Climate Action Series, part of the SMP Speakers Series. This is a partnership between the Cumberland Conservation Collaborative, the South Mountain Partnership, Cumberland County Planning Department, the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University, the Center for Sustainability at Dickinson College, and Carlisle Borough.
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Documentary Shows the Important Role of Soil |
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Narrated and featuring Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground is an inspiring and groundbreaking documentary film that reveals a viable solution to our climate crisis. The movie reveals that, by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies. Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle.
This movie is positioned to catalyze a movement to accomplish the impossible – to solve humanity’s greatest challenge, to balance the climate and secure our species future. You can watch it now on Netflix or find a screening near you at https://kissthegroundmovie.com.
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SHARE YOUR NEWS AND EVENTS WITH THE SOUTH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY! |
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Share with the region through the Around South Mountain e-newsletter and the SMP website.
Send us your free events, trainings, work days, celebrations, challenges, and other updates. Type "For Newsletter" in the subject line of your email. Include your event date, time, location, title, and short description. We will include on our website calendar.
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Trainings, Workshops & Learning Opportunities |
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Due to the COVID-19 and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), please visit individual partner organization's websites to confirm event details prior to the event. Stay healthy! |
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Environmental Aspects of Solar Power |
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March 2, 2021
As the deployment of solar power increases in the northeastern United States, questions are arising surrounding potential environmental impacts. Environmental Aspects of Solar Power will provide an overview of environmental considerations for utility-scale solar power arrays, including potential landscape, hydrologic, and water quality impacts. Training provided by PennState Extension.
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March 2
Little Learners: The Biggest Snowman Ever
In this program at Kings Gap State Park at 10 am, families with young children can engage in nature exploration through stories, outdoor activities, and crafts. Learn more here.
March 3
Adams County Food Policy Council Meeting (Virtual)
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:30am at the Penn State Extension Office in the Ag & Natural Resources Center. Learn more here.
March 3
Learning Exchange Series: Forests and Carbon in Sustainable Business Outlooks
March 4
Meaningful Engagement in Local Government Decision Making for Community Watershed Organizations
POWR is launching a free 3-part training from 6-7:30 pm for volunteers and leaders to gain the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to effectively participate in many local and regional policy, land use and planning efforts occurring throughout the commonwealth. Learn more here.
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