South Mountain Partnership

Check Out Our 2011 Winter Newsletter- The South Mountain Advocate

2011-12-20T07:37:00.000-08:00

Check out our quarterly newsletter, The South Mountain Advocate, which highlights our accomplishments for 2011.

Download the printer friendlly newsletter today to see the ten things we are most proud of.

Click here to download.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Announces South Mountain Partnership Mini-grant Awards

2011-12-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) would like to announce 10 South Mountain Partnership mini-grant awards that will help support development of heritage tourism and conservation projects in the South Mountain region totaling more than $204,000. All grants are fully matched by grantees and partnering organizations at the local level, thus leveraging other funding to develop new projects and programming consistent with the South Mountain Partnership goals of preserving and promoting natural and cultural assets.

The grant awards, administered by the ATC and funded by state and federal dollars through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as part of their Conservation Landscape Initiatives program. This year’s projects focus on increased access to community and regional trails, development of new tools to promote tourism, preservation of natural and historical assets, and support for the region's agricultural legacy and local food systems. These many facets of the region's heritage earned the South Mountain region spanning Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and northern York Counties a state designation as one of DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiatives in 2008.

“This round of the grant program, now in its third year, saw a very competitive pool of applicants which allowed us to award many strong “nexus” projects overlapping multiple South Mountain Partnership goals that contribute to the region’s sense of place and promote our assets,” stated Kim Williams, Environmental Planner with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is very excited to see a number of diverse partners from the public and private sectors collaborating on projects that address shared goals across interests groups. We see this type of collaboration as an indication successful long term relationships developing through participation in the South Mountain Partnership.”

The 10 awards given as part of the 2011-2012 South Mountain Mini-Grant round include:

· $3,000 to Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council for development of interpretive panels highlighting the trail corridor’s civil war and agricultural history.

· $6,000 to the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club for development of a formal parking area and interpretive signage at the Appalachian Trail’s Trindle Rd. trailhead.

· $2,500 to Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park for a Biodiversity Restoration project aimed at restoring native plant species to the historical areas of Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

· $4,500 to Cumberland County Historical Society for development of a major three-part exhibition entitled “Pine Grove: A Lasting Legacy.”

· $15,000 to Greene Township (Franklin Co.) for a trail feasibility study exploring connections between Chambersburg Borough Rail Trail and Caledonia State Park.

· $11,500 to the Borough of Gettysburg for widening and resurfacing an initial segment of the Gettysburg Inner Loop (GIL) bicycle trail aimed at providing alternative transportation options between historical attractions, community amenities and the downtown business district.

· $30,000 to the Appalachian Trail Museum for construction of a handicap accessible walkway to the soon-to-be rehabilitated lower level focusing on exhibits and programming for children.

· $11,000 to the Franklin County Visitors Bureau for development of a self-service mobile “tour guide” application representing the four-county South Mountain region to engage visitors to experience the historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and agricultural assets.

· $2,500 to Shippensburg University for a detailed user count and demographic survey along the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail.

· $2,500 to Healthy Adams County for development of a South Mountain Food Security Symposium and follow-up workshop.

The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program has been developed and overseen by the ATC since 2009. Since its inception, $188,600 in grants have been awarded with almost $390,00 in grantee’s match.

The ATC and DCNR lead the South Mountain Partnership, an alliance of the private and public sector, non-profits, universities, and local citizens. The Partnership identifies its key role as being a regional facilitator and leader in projects that preserve and promote the natural and cultural assets of the region. The ATC was chosen to be the lead of the Partnership because of its local roots and extensive conservation work across Pennsylvania and especially in Central Pennsylvania.

Funds come from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership’s Program, derived from both the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener 1) and the Growing Greener Bond Fund (growing Greener 2), and several federal funding sources.

More information on the South Mountain Partnership and the Mini-Grant program are available at http://southmountaingrant.blogspot.com/

POWER OF THE PARTNERSHIP AWARD: Pine Grove Furnace Partners

2011-12-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

The Partnership would like to recognize annually partners and projects that significantly and positively impacted the South Mountain region by contributing to its sense of place through promoting or conserving its natural and cultural assets. We especially looked and asked for nomination for those that leveraged partnering and made it a key to their success. We call this “The Power of the Partnership” award.

This award goes to what we like to call the “dream team of Partnerships”. This is the Pine Grove Furnace team which being recognized for their outstanding partnership activities that directly support the vision of the South Mountain Partnership. Pine Grove Furnace State Park, located at the mid-way point of the Appalachian Trail is nestled in Michaux State Forest and has been a conduit for other important projects of interest.

The Partnership have played collaborative roles in supporting Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the Cumberland County Historical Society for Camp Michaux, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy for the Iron Master’s Mansion and the AT Museum. Together, they have become a regional hub for tourism. The addition of these three incredibly rich heritage sites, and the Friends Group, is exactly what the South Mountain Partnership is all about. This partnership’s cumulative efforts promotes local agriculture through educational programs; promotes and preserves cultural heritage, conserves natural resources, promotes and develops recreational opportunities and develops business and tourism opportunities for over 500,000 visitors.

In addition to offering biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and hunting to area residents and outdoor lovers - Pine Grove Furnace State Park has been the logical destination to incubate and nurture new assets for the next generation to enjoy. These assets include:

· The AT Museum – the country’s only museum dedicated to hiking and the history of the Appalachian Trail. The AT Museum has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cumberland Valley and due to the incredible media attention; attendance over the past two seasons has exceeded 15,000. The museum honors men and women who hike the trail; it honors the volunteer network that works to maintain the AT. Had Larry Luxenberg and the many volunteers not partnered with DCNR to “save” the old Mill – this aging building would have remained boarded up and closed.

· The Ironmaster’s Mansion – the recently renovated Mansion on the grounds that is open to hostel overnights, groups, meetings and weddings just completed its first season. Prior to the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy’s lease arrangement with DCNR and Deb Bowman’s willingness to take the challenge head on; this beautiful old mansion had fallen into such a bad state of repair that it had to be shuttered. Rather than walk away from a problem; the CPC and Deb Bowman with the assistance of thousands of hours of donated time and money; worked for a year to renovate the Mansion. This beautiful aging structure that has so much South Mountain history is supporting hiker overnight stays, youth group educational programs and activities and weddings.
· Camp Michaux – A late 18th, 19th, and early 20th century farm that was part of the iron industrial complex known as Bunker Hill and later a CCC camp until 1942, followed by a German POW interrogation center until 1946 and finally a church camp until 1972. Fallen into disrepair and torn down by the State with just a few remnants of its past; the average visitor to the area had no idea what lay under the vines and brush. Had it not been for the commitment and leadership David Smith and the Cumberland County Historical Society’s willingness to work in partnership with Michaux State Forester Roy Brubaker, Cooke Township, the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Zion United Church of Christ in Arendtsville and others – this heritage area would have continued to be one of the South Mountain’s secrets. Through strong partnering and a South Mountain grant, this team was successful in getting approvals to add the site to the National Historic Register of Historic Places. Walking tours have been developed and visitors can now explore this rich heritage, cultural and recreation area with or without a guide.

The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park exists to keep history alive and promote the educational and recreational programs of the park and surrounding areas through special events and trail development while protecting the park’s natural resources. Chaired by Mary Calderelli and established in 2010, the Friends Group played a major role in this year’s highly successful Furnace Fest.

Accepting the award, on behalf of these organizations were:

Jason Zimmerman, Larry Luxenberg, Debra Bowman, Bill Breen, and David Smith

POWER OF THE PARTNERSHIP AWARD: Cumberland County Land Partners

2011-12-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

Awarded organizations: (below) Cumberland
County Commissioners and Cumberland
County Planning Department were
awarded as well as (above) the
Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau

In April 2006, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners adopted Land Partnerships, a countywide strategy designed to maintain and improve the quality of life in Cumberland County through preservation and smart growth planning. The plan seeks to encourage action in the community and facilitate partnerships among governments, non-profit organizations, businesses and landowners to achieve a common vision.

The goals of Land Partnerships are organized around four key areas: Farmland Preservation, Natural Resource Protection, Parks, Trails and Greenways and Livable Communities. The Farmland Preservation component centers on preserving our working farms and supporting the agricultural community so agriculture remains viable in the County.

Since 2006 these groups have made significant strides toward implementation of the Land Partnerships farmland preservation goals including but not limited to the following initiatives:

· State Farmland Preservation Program – The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and Agricultural Land Preservation Board increased investments in the Farmland Preservation Program to acquire voluntary agricultural easements on prime soils. With the 2011 round of selections, the County will reach a milestone of 15,000 acres preserved countywide!

· Farmland Preservation Donation Program – Cumberland County established a Farmland Preservation Donation Program in 2008 to encourage donation of agricultural easements. The County accepted its first donated easement under the new program in 2009.

· Farmland Preservation Signage Program – Cumberland County established a voluntary signage program in 2007 to promote farms enrolled in the farmland preservation program. The Program has been received positively by farmers and helps promote the farmland preservation to citizens and visitors around the County.

· Local Food, Farm and Outdoor Attractions Guide (seen to the right) – In 2010, a Local Food guide was developed to promote local agricultural operations and educate the public on the importance of agriculture. Cumberland County and CVVB where lead partners on the project and have distributed nearly 15,000 copies to date.

· Cumberland County Farm Tour – On an annual basis, the Penn State Cooperative Extension and Cumberland County organize a free, one day tour of farms and agricultural related businesses. The event draws hundreds of visitors each year and helps educate the public on the importance of agriculture.

· Cumberland County Partners for Excellence in Agriculture - In 2010, the Cumberland County Partners for Excellence in Agriculture was formed. Cumberland County and the Conservation District are leaders in this unique collaborative. Their mission is to assure that the agricultural industry continues to be a major contributor to the economic development of the County and maintains a competitive position in the global economy while conserving and respecting the natural resources in the area.

"In The Spirit of South Mountain" Award Given to Middlesex Township

2011-12-10T07:15:00.000-08:00

Denise Jumper, representing Middlesex Township

This award goes to Middlesex Township. We applaud your efforts and tremendous partnering spirit!

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail cuts across the Cumberland Valley, running through some of the most populated and developed portions of the extent of the 2,180 mile Trail. The Trail is the Cumberland Valley is extremely used and loved, but it is not always obvious how you can access the Trail. In 2011 the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club pondered how they might develop a better access point on Trindle Road as an all volunteer organization.

CVATC contacted Middlesex to obtain their consent and endorsement of their plan to build a parking lot at the junction of the Appalachian Trail and Trindle Road (PA Route 641), between Mechanicsburg and Carlisle. To their surprise, they have gone much further. They have provided significant in-kind services to actually construct the parking lot.

Middlesex has used their workers and equipment to perform the initial excavation and construction work at the site, including hauling stone and gravel from the quarry and installing it. CVATC estimate the value of their in-kind services at almost $6,000, with more to come.

Their cooperation has helped to promote and develop recreation and tourism opportunities in the Cumberland Valley. Trindle Road is one of the busiest highways in the Valley. It has long needed a formal parking lot at the A.T. junction. CVATC estimates that hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists use the AT in the Valley each year.

Join Us At Our "Year in Celebration" Luncheon & Meeting

2011-10-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

JOIN US!

WHEN:

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

noon to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Allenberry Resort and Playhouse

Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania

WHO:

Partners, elected officials, buisness owners, non-profits, academics, supporting stage agencies, our visitor bureaus, and citizens who live and/or work in the South Mountain region.

COST:

Cost is $10 and includes a delux lunch buffet-

and yes, always Allenberry's famous sticky buns. Register here. Registration options include credit card, check, drop off (at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy-Boiling Springs office), or through invoice.

WHY:

An opportunity for you to connect with the Partnership as a whole and get a great retrospective on what we have done and where we are going.

A chance to network with folks in the region who are making a difference.

Celebrate and recognize our partner's outstanding acmmplishments. The Partnership will be awarding several awards through a nomination process. Nominate a Parnter now.

Hear about projects that are being awarded South Mountain Mini-Grants

CONTACT INFO:

For questions or payment issues, call Kimberly Williams, South Mountain Partnership Lead at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at (717) 258-5771.

AGENDA:

12 AM. Kick off / Welcome

12:10 PM Lunch is Served

1:00 PM The Power of the Partnership-

1:30 PM South Mountain’s Future: What’s in store for next year and beyond

Hear about our project lined up for 2012

2:00 PM Break / Coffee- Dessert

2:10 PM South Mountain Partnership Presentation of Check to Grantees, hear about the exciting work of individual partners that will be doing great work partially funded by the Partnership in 2012.

2:40 PM South Mountain Awards ~ Who has been catalyst for change

CATEGORIES:

o PARTNER AWARD

o PROJECT AWARD (Multiple Partners)

o “In the Spirit of South Mountain Award”

3:20 PM Closing Remarks From the Partnership

Join Us At Our November Speaker Series Event!

2011-10-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE! Closing the Food Gap in South Mountain, will both feature keynote speaker Mark Winne, who addresses these issues in his books, "Closing the Food Gap" and "Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners, and Smart Cookin' Mamas". Prior to the evening keynote address symposium participants will have exclusive access to a networking reception featuring locally grown & produced refreshment and the unique opportunity to meet individuals, organizations, and businesses that are committed to working together to improve our regional food system.

As part of a day-long professional symposium, hosted at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA on Thursday, November 10, 2011, the event will provide participants the opportunity to learn more about food security issues and programs addressing access, availability and usage.

The day program Closing the Food Gap; Connecting Community & Local Foodprogram will feature Mark Winne and also include action planning sessions focused on the needs of the region. These sessions will identify gaps, opportunities, programs, and develop ideas. The ultimate goal of the planning sessions is to aid collaboration in order to better serve the residents of South Central PA.

Keynote speaker, Mark Winne, will provide guidance as we move through the afternoon in both learning and action planning sessions. The program will also highlight many projects connected to the Adams County Food Policy Council and the broader South Mountain Landscape.

This event is sponsored by Healthy Adams County, Wilson College, and the Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council with the generous support of the South Mountain Partnership.

To register for the day symposium visit http://www.tastethegifts.blogspot.com

For questions about participating or providing event sponsorship, please contact Kathy Gaskin (kgaskin@wellspan.org; 717-337-4137) or Cheryl Burns (cburns@capitalrcd.org; 717-241-4361).

Nominate Someone For A South Mountain Award!

2011-09-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

The Partnership would like to recognize annually partners and projects shared among partners. These award will recognize partners and project that significantly and positively impacted the South Mountain region by contributing to its sense of place through promoting or conserving its natural and cultural assets. You can nominate someone else or it can be a self nomination.

TYPES OF AWARD

Nominations can be for either:

· A project with multiple partners OR

· One specific individual or organization that has made a significant impact.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Any organization(s) or individuals can be nominated that have been involved with efforts in the South Mountain Region, including any part of Franklin, Adams, Cumberland, and York counties.

NOTIFICATIONS

Awards will be chosen from nominations by the South Mountain Partnership Leadership Committee and awardees will be notified by telephone. Awards will be presented at the South Mountain Partnership Banquet on Thursday December 8th, 2011 from 1-3 p.m.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND GUIDELINES

Online Nomination forms are available by clicking here.

The deadline for submitting online nominations is November 9^th, 2011 at 5 p.m.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NOMINATION (Choose to nominate for a Partner OR Project Award):

South Mountain Outdoors Door Prize Winners Announced

2011-09-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

Meadowbrooke Gourd Birdhouses

South Mountain Outdoors 2011 participants were asked to leave their completed Passport Programs at participating locations to be entered into random door prize drawings following Labor Day Weekend. Door prize Winners have been contacted!

Larry F. won a large gift basket from Mountain Lakes Market in Carlisle.
Deborah H. won a historical book from History on High shop in Carlisle courtesy of Cumberland County Historical Society.
Matt N. won the book In the Beginning: 1750-1865 History of South Mountain from the Preserving Our Heritage Archives & Museum in South Mountain, PA.
Tracy B. won a Gourd Birdhouse from Meadowbrooke Gourds in Carlisle.
Darwin K. won a voucher for a bike helmet from Coles Bicycles in Carlisle.
Katherine S. won a pair of mismatched art socks from Village Artisans Gallery in Boiling Springs.
Kristen M. won a historic novel from the Conococheague Institute in Mercersberg.
Sue S. won an Alpaca scarf from Bent Pine Alpaca Farm in Carlisle.
Anita S. won two tickets to an upcoming performance at Allenberry Resort Inn & Playhouse in Boiling Springs.

Special thanks to the business partners below that donated awesome door prizes for the occasion!

Just because South Mountain Outdoors 2011 is over doesn't mean you can't continue exploring!! The interactive map is still available on the Visit South Mountain page of South Mountain Partnership's web site. Also be sure to check out user-uploaded photos from South Mountain Outdoors events all across Cumberland, Franklin and Adams Counties - click here to view. We have some talented photographers roaming the mountain!

Share your South Mountain Outdoors photos with us!

2011-09-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

Did you Fish for Free at Pine Grove Furnace State Park on Monday? Or dance a little jig at the McLain Celtic Festival on Saturday? Did you capture these special South Mountain Outdoors moments on camera, iPhone, iPad, etc.? If so--

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS WITH US!!!!

--and they may be featured on the South Mountain Outdoors web site or upcoming Partnership newsletters.

You can do so via the PhotoCollect album by clicking above image or here. This web tool allows you to upload photos to our shared gallery without registering or logging-in. Feel free to email us any South Mountain Outdoors stories or experiences to accompany your photos at kmckee@appalachiantrail.org.

South Mountain Outdoors 2011 - Got Door Prizes?

2011-08-31T06:06:00.000-07:00

Kings Gap General Store

In addition to the free programs offered at Michaux State Forest and Pine Grove Furnace, Kings Gap & Caledonia State Parks over Labor Day Weekend as part of South Mountain Outdoors 2011, a variety of participating sites are also offering door prizes, raffles and events!!

See Passport and interactive map for details. Highlights include:

Civil War Reenactment at Renfrew Museum and Park throughout Labor Day Weekend in Waynesboro

Chance to win free tickets to a show at the famous Allenberry Resort & Playhouse in Boiling Springs

Chance to win a handwoven alpaca scarf from Bent Pine Alpaca Farm in Carlisle

Free guided tour at Conococheague Institute in Mercersburg with a chance to win two historical novels

Disc tournament and pine wood derby at Dogwood Acres Campground in Newville

Dogwood Acres Campground in Newville

Chance to win a $25 gift card and pair of Sole Mate Socks at Village Artisans Gallery in Boiling Springs

Free cheese wheel sample and chance to win $10 gift card at Kings Gap General Store

Free pack of seeds and chance to win a bird house from Meadowbrooke Gourds in Carlisle

Free or discounted ice cream cones from Goose Bros. Ice Cream in Shippensburg

Join Us in Working Towards more Sustainable Development in the Region

2011-07-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Save the Date!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

3:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
at the Shippensburg University Conference Center. Registration is $10
(click to download registration form)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:


Randall Arendt, a national expert on sustainable development

Randall Arendt, Senior Conservation Advisor at Natural Lands Trust will conduct a workshop focusing on practical ways of reclaiming existing commercial highway strip centers.

The presentation includes a one hour lecture illustrating progressive approaches that emphasize various redevelopment design strategies to create mixed-use centers from existing highway strips. The workshop will also help communities implement smarter, more sustainable development patterns, and includes ideas for improving economic viability and attractiveness.

Click image to download flier
and registration form

A design exercise will follow providing attendees with an opportunity to retrofit an existing section of a degraded commercial highway strip center. Using aerial enlargements of an existing commercial strip center in the South Mountain landscape, participants will mark up the base map to illustrate how the improvements described in the presentation could be implemented.

Municipal leaders, planning commission members, professional planners, landscape architects, engineers, commercial property owners, investors and developers are encouraged to attend.

Experience South Mountain Outdoors 2011 on Labor Day Weekend!

2011-07-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

This Labor Day Weekend get outside, visit local destinations and discover everything the South Mountain Region has to offer. Highlights of the Weekend include:

The McLain Celtic Festival
Specialty programming at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve
And many more!

Click here to view an interactive map of
participating sites!

McLain Celtic Festival, Carlisle, PA

Passport Programs will be available to pick up at all of the participating locations, prior to and during South Mountain Outdoors 2011. The Passport Program will also contain a map of the region, with a list of participating businesses and program partners that are offering events and experiences around South Mountain. Each time participants visit one of these locations, they should request that their Passport Program be stamped by that location. Before completing their enjoyment of South Mountain Outdoors 2011, participants should leave their Passport at any of the participating locations, so that they will be eligible for a random drawing of prizes donated by participating South Mountain region sites.

Get the latest Partnership Updates with the Summer 2011 Edition of the South Mountain Advocate!

2011-07-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

The Advocate is South Mountain Partnership's quarterly newsletter. The Summer 2011 Edition includes updates regarding:

The South Mountain Outdoors 2011 event
The Friends of Monterey Pass Battlefield's outreach & fund raising efforts
Camp Michaux Recognition and Dedication event coming up on July 16th
The A.T. Museum's Sunday event schedule
Cumberland Valley Rail Trail extension into Downtown Shippensburg
And More!!

Also check out a Partner Spotlight on Susan Parry, a Natural Resource Specialist with USDA/Natural Resource Conservation Service, that brings great leadership to the Partnership's agricultural support initiatives. To view or download the newsletter, click here.

July 12th - Save the Date for our Next Quarterly Partnership-Wide Meeting

2011-06-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 from 1:30-5pm
will be the next South Mountain Partnership-wide Meeting held at:
Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, PA. Click here for Map.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL AGENDA of the Partnership-wide Meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!

The meeting will begin at the newly renovated Ironmaster's Mansion and break out into three concurrent sessions covering:

Reinventing the Commercial Corridor, Planning Session
(RSVP here)
Statewide Preservation Plan Public Forum: Heritage Planning Around South Mountain
(RSVP here)
South Mountain as a Bio-Reserve
(RSVP here)

Attendees will then walk to the Pine Grove Furnace Chapel (across from the Park Office) for Partner Updates and a South Mountain Partnership/DCNR Roundtable. No RSVP required.

At the end of the day, join us for a Partnership Social including a tour of the Appalachian Trail Museum and heavy hors d'oeuvres & drinks at the Mansion (BYOB - adult beverages allowed).

South Mountain Partnership-wide meetings are useful for any person or organizations interested in being involved in preserving or promoting our region's precious natural and cultural assets. Some of the benefits of attending these meeting are:

- A networking opportunity.

- A chance to learn about innovative partnerships and partnering opportunities in the region.

- An opportunity to be involved with meaningful projects that celebrate our region's sense of place.

These meetings are free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required for the concurrent sessions.

South Mountain Partners To Host Back-to Back Special Events At Pine Grove Furnace State Park

2011-05-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE TO
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

GARDNERS, PA -- Pine Grove Furnace State Park and the Appalachian Trail Museum, in conjunction with many of its partners, are preparing for two straight weekends of outdoor events and family programming -- National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 11 and the First Appalachian Trail Festival June 18 & 19.

Pine Grove Furnace State Park, recently named the 2010 State Park of the Year, the South Mountain Partnership, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy are sponsoring National Get Outdoors Day to provide outdoor and education opportunities for the entire family. Events for the day begin at 8:00 a.m. with a half marathon and 5K run to support the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace, a non-profit organization that helps promote volunteerism and assist with events at the park. Other morning events include trail hikes to local scenic vistas and historical sites, a wildflower walk, a historical scavenger hunt and kayaking for beginners.

Lunch will be available at the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy’s newly renovated Ironmaster’s Mansion. Meals will include hamburgers, hotdogs, sloppy Joes, potatoes salad, watermelon, desert and drink for only $7.

Registration is required for all events and, with the exception of the half marathon and 5K run, are free. To register, visit the DCNR Calendar of Events for Pine Grove Furnace State Park at www.dcnr.state.pa.us or call the Park Office at 717-486-7174.

The Appalachian Trail Museum will hold its first festival on June 18-19 at the park. “The festival will celebrate hiker culture and feature a new traveling exhibit developed by the museum,” Zimmerman said. The kick-off for the festival will be the inaugural Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet on the evening of June 17, at Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs. At the banquet, the first class of six honorees will be inducted into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame, which will be located in the museum’s building at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The festival will feature a hiking program, music, storytelling, crafts, competitions and history programs. There also will be a variety of activities for children on both days. Additional information on the Appalachian Trail Museum and the festival weekend events can be found at www.atmuseum.org.

South Mountain Mini-Grant Workshop to Be Held May 25th, 2011 At 2 PM

2011-04-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

GRANT WORKSHOP AVAILABLE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND NON-PROFITS TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE CENTRAL PA’S NATURAL AND CULTURAL ASSETS

The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant program, administered by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), has been awarded additional grant funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and will be accepting grant applications until the program deadline of July 31, 2011. This program provides grants that communities and organizations can use to preserve and promote their natural and cultural assets.

An online grant workshop on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 2-3 p.m. will be available to anyone with access to the internet and a telephone. An RSVP is required to access the online workshop and can be done by:

Clicking the above "Click Here to Register" button
Calling the ATC office at 717.258.5771. The workshop will lay out details of the program and application and allow participants to ask questions.

The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program has been developed and overseen by the ATC since 2009 to encourage economic development among local communities by funding projects to build trails, conduct outdoor festivals, and develop promotional guides for local agriculture and forest products. $100,000 in grants was awarded since 2009 with over $184,708 in grantee’s match.

In 2011 $150,000 in grants will be available with a required 1:1 match. The next grant application will be available in January 2011 and applications will be due July 31, 2011. The ATC and DCNR encourage any municipality, non-profit, or learning institution to begin considering projects that may fit the grant criteria. Projects must be located in Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, or York counties. An application and many other grant resources are available on the Partnership website at www.southmountaincli.blogspot.com.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s grant program emphasizes multi-partner regional collaborations and in result we have seen incredible long term relationships develop. It is a major goal of the South Mountain Partnership to foster these strong partnerships that steward and promote our assets”, stated Kim Williams, Environmental Planner of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

The ATC and DCNR lead the South Mountain Partnership, an alliance of the private and public sector, non-profits, universities, and local citizens in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and Northern York Counties. The Partnership identifies its key role as being a regional facilitator and leader in projects that preserve and promote the natural and cultural assets of the region. ATC was chosen to be the lead of the Partnership because of its local roots and extensive conservation work across Pennsylvania and especially in Central Pennsylvania.

Funds come from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership’s Program and come from both the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener 1) and the Growing Greener Bond Fund (growing Greener 2), and several federal funding sources.

Next Partnership Meeting: April 20th, 2011

2011-04-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

APRIL 20th, 2011 SOUTH MOUNTAIN

PARTNERSHIP-WIDE MEETING &

MINI-GRANT WORKSHOP
At the Adams County Agricultural

& Natural Resource Center

670 Old Harrisburg Rd., Gettysburg, PA

(CLICK HERE FOR A MAP)

FOR A FULL AGENDA CLICK HERE

- A networking opportunity.

- A chance to learn about innovative partnerships and partnering opportunities in the region.

- An opportunity to be involved with meaningful projects that celebrate our region's sense of place.

These meetings are free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required.

RESTORING THE CHESTNUT: The chestnut’s story is rooted in catastrophe but survives through our hope & work

2011-03-16T08:42:00.001-07:00

Join us at our next South Mountain Speaker Series Event!
FREE EVENT!!! At the Penn National Community, Trellis Terrace, 3720 Clubhouse Drive, Fayettville, PA
Thursday, April 7, 2011 starting at 7 p.m.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Announced Today the Successful Acquisition of Nearly 1000 Acres of Critical Landscape in the Cumberland Valley

2011-02-22T11:24:00.000-08:00

Boiling Springs, PA (February 17, 2011) – The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), working in partnership with federal, state and local partners, has recently protected 840 acres of forested land on South Mountain in Cumberland County (known as the White Rocks). The White Rocks project is one of the early catalyst to the formation of the South Mountain Partnership and is an exciting accomplishment for all partners involved.

The parcels will be acquired by the U.S. federal government, National Park Service for permanent protection of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The purchase will protect open space and wildlife habitat, enhance the Appalachian Trail experience and provide protection to critical groundwater recharge areas that feed residential use in the valley and the cold water fishery of the Yellow Breeches Creek. Total project cost is $3.2 million.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is fortunate to have built a strong partnership of committed private conservation organizations and public agencies to help with this effort. Open space protection projects of this magnitude and significance are rare in this rapidly developing region. We are grateful to the current owners who see the value of public ownership and permanent protection,” stated Karen Lutz, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Funding for this land conservation project came from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), and local private contributions.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information please visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Contact:
Javier Folgar
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel. 304.535.6331 x117
Fax. 304.535.2667
Email: jfolgar@appalachiantrail.org
Web: www.appalachiantrail.org

Preserving Heritage In the South Mountain Region: A look into innovative partnerships around the mountain

2011-02-02T08:48:00.001-08:00

Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Cumberland County Historical Society
21 North Pitt Street Carlisle, PA
12:15 p.m., brown bag lunch, bring your lunch and coffee and cookies provided

Speaker: Kimberly Williams, South Mountain Partnership Co-Lead and Landscape Protection Coordinator, Appalachian Trail Conservancy

The South Mountain Region has a complex and rich story worth telling and preserving. South Mountain of Central Pennsylvania holds in its forested slopes layers of history. It holds stories and remnants which are key ingredients to the region’s sense of place. Discover overlapping themes of stories and remnants and how they are RELEVANT TODAY, including:

Natural wealth. The mountain’s natural wealth has a direct connection to the surrounding valley’s agricultural abundance and early prospering industries. Today we are learning new ways to profit from our wealth while conserving for future generations.
Refuge. The mountain served as a place of refuge to those fleeing from slavery on the Underground Railroad and those fleeing poor health at the South Mountain Restoration Center. Today, the mountain serves as a refuge of recreation that serves millions with major icons like the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and one of the largest intact forests near D.C. and Baltimore.
Conflict. Human conflict in the past several hundred years has direct tie to the mountain like the Civil War’s Battle of Monterrey Pass and the housing of a WWII Prisoner of War Camp. Today conflict over the preservation of our heritage and natural resources provides chances for new innovative ways to resolve conflict and increase collaboration.

Learn how these themes are relevant today, as they tie in directly into our sense of place and economic progress. Learn what the South Mountain Partnership, a unified group of private citizens, business, not for profit organizations and governmental officials, is doing to promote and preserve our rich heritage.

For more info on the Speakers Series, visit:www.southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com
This event is in partnership with the Cumberland County Historical Society. To learn more about their ongoing program, click here.

A Major Announcement: Become a Leader By Nominating Yourself For the Partnership Leadership Committee

2011-01-06T13:18:00.000-08:00

As part of our developing 5-Year Strategic Plan, we have heard a lot of feedback about formalizing the South Mountain Partnership's organizational structure.

From that feedback we have developed an organizational framework including the leadership committee. We would like to ask you to consider being part of our leadership committee, which will become the organizational head for the Partnership.

For further information about the duties, a letter of interest, and the nomination process click here.

To fill out the letter of interest form, click here

CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETAILS OF THE

PARTNERSHIP'S NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Check Out Our 2010 Winter Newsletter- The South Mountain Advocate

2010-12-15T11:10:00.001-08:00

As 2010 comes to a close we want to thank you personally for being involved with the Partnership. Whether you attended a Speaker Series event, were an active partner, or just supported our mission, we have had a pretty amazing year in retrospect.

To share with you all we have done together, we have put together the 2010 Winter Quarterly Newsletter with our top accomplishments.

Enjoy! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NEWSLETTER

Click on the link above to view the full newsletter

South Mountain Partnership Through The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Has Been Awarded Additional Funds To Conserve, Enhance, and Promote Local Community's Natural and Cultural Assets

2010-12-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Boiling Springs, PA (December 14, 2010) – The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has been awarded additional grant funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for local communities to preserve and promote their natural and cultural assets which provide economic benefits. This grant will help fund the South Mountain Mini-Grant Program, administered through the South Mountain Partnership.

The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program has been developed and overseen by ATC since 2009 to encourage economic development among local communities by funding projects to build trails, conduct outdoor festivals, and develop promotional guides for local agriculture and forest products. $100,000 in grants was awarded since 2009 with over $184,708 in grantee’s match.

In 2011 $150,000 in grants will be available with a required 1:1 match. The next grant application will be available in January 2011 and applications will be due July 30, 2011. ATC and DCNR encourage any municipality, non-profit, or learning institution to begin considering projects that may fit the grant criteria. A sample application and frequently asked questions are available on the Partnership website at southmountaincli.blogspot.com.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s grant program emphasizes multi-partner regional collaborations and in result we have seen incredible long term relationships develop. It is a major goal of the South Mountain Partnership to foster these strong partnerships that steward and promote our assets”, stated Kim Williams, Landscape Protection Associate of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

ATC and DCNR lead the South Mountain Partnership, an alliance of the private and public sector, non-profits, universities, and local citizens in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and Northern York Counties. The Partnership identifies its key role as being a regional facilitator and leader in projects that preserve and promote the natural and cultural assets of the region. ATC was chosen to be the lead of the Partnership because of its local roots and extensive conservation work across Pennsylvania and especially in Central Pennsylvania.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information please visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Contact:
Kim Williams
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel. 717.258.5771 x205
Fax. 717.258.1442
Email: kwilliams@appalachiantrail.org
Web: www.appalachiantrail.org

###

For more information or to schedule an interview, please call Javier Folgar at 304.535.6331 x117 or e-mail jfolgar@appalachiantrail.org.

Join Us At the Last of the South Mountain Speaker Series for 2010!

2010-11-22T14:05:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, December 1^st, 2010

7:00 PM

Memorial Auditorium, Shippensburg University.

South Mountain Speakers Series to Explore Land Use and Cultural Preservation at Gettysburg National Military Park

Boiling Springs – The history of preservation at Gettysburg will be the seventh and final lecture for the 2010 South Mountain Speakers Series on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at Shippensburg University’s Memorial Auditorium.

The event, entitled, “Contesting Gettysburg: Preserving an American Battlefield Shrine,” is free and open to the public. It runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Environmental historian and Penn State Altoona professor Dr. Brian Black will use Gettysburg as an example to discuss the need for preservation of sacred symbols throughout the region and the nation.

“When the Gettysburg Battlefield quieted following the fighting in July 1863, another story began,” said Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward, an assistant professor of history at Shippensburg University and the chair of the South Mountain Partnership’s steering committee for the speaker series. “Dr. Black will tell this story, which spans almost 150 years, of how the landscape at Gettysburg passed through many differing episodes in the culture of preservation, and national trends related to protecting our sacred symbols.”

After the lecture, a panel including Black, Greg Goodell from the National Park Service and Mark Shaffer from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will answer audience questions and discuss the future of Gettysburg National Military Park and the relationship between environmental conservation and cultural preservation in the South Mountain region.

The South Mountain Speakers Series is organized in the spirit of the Michaux Lectures, a series of talks given by Joseph Rothrock as part of his work to restore Pennsylvania’s forests during the late 19th century.

The series is led by the South Mountain Partnership, which is a unified group of private citizens, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and government representatives in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties.

The partnership works to advance environmental conservation and economic development by encouraging best-management practices in agriculture and forestry, and supporting and promoting working farms, forests and watersheds while emphasizing the unique cultural and historic heritage of the region.

The South Mountain Partnership and Shippensburg University are sponsoring this event.

For more information about this event, contact Allen Dieterich-Ward at ajdieterichward@ship.edu.

To learn more about the speaker series, visit southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com or contact Kim Williams at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at 717-258-5771.

Media contact: Allen Dieterich-Ward, 717-477-1192

2010 South Mountain Region Trail Summit: SAVE THE DATE!!

2010-08-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

The 2010 South Mountain Trail Summit
November 3rd, 2010
Comfort Suites
Downtown Carlisle, PA

The South Mountain Region Trail Summit will be held for those interested in the state of greenways and trails in Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, and York counties.

Summit sessions will engage, educate, and solicit support on efforts to advance the quality and connectivity of current and proposed trails. Trail advocates, volunteers, and organizations are encouraged to attend along with elected municipal officials, staff, or volunteer municipal committees.

Benefits of attending the Summit:

Hear a "state of the trail report" for the region

Learn about benefits of trails to communities

Learn and give input about current high profile trail projects

Learn the nuts and bolts of trail development in your community

Engage as a citizen, municipal representative, or community organization to identify important connections and identify trail needs

Hear case studies of successful projects in the region

To learn more or to register, visit www.southmountaintrailsummit.blogspot.com

Summer 2010 South Mountain Advocate

2010-06-14T06:13:00.001-07:00

click here for the full PDF newsletter

The Advocate is South Mountain Partnership's quarterly newsletter. This edition's articles include

The next Speaker Series event
Appalachian Trail Act
Tree Farm #1
Slope zoning
Changes at Pine Grove
GeoTrails Project
and a partner feature about Professor Allen Dieterich-Ward

To author an editorial or article for the next Advocate (occurring in August), or if you feel something should be included, please contact Ben Mummert at bmummert@appalachiantrail.org

Celebrate Success- Priority Tract Protected

2010-05-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Tree Farm #1, a wild, 2500-acre tract in Adams County which could have been replaced by 500 houses, will be protected for the public. Glatfelter Paper Company placed the largest private tract in the County for sale in late 2007. Soon after, developers began to express interest. In March 2008, The Conservation Fund purchased the property and served as a temporary owner while more than $13 million was raised to transfer it to the Commonwealth. Today, the Conservation Fund announced the property's transfer to DCNR as an addition to Michaux State Forest. This completes an intense, two year project that involved numerous organizations, citizens, and Federal, State, and local governments. The County provided a critical $3.7 million from the Water & Land Protection Bond, which overwhelmingly passed in 2008 but which other counties have not adopted.

The success defends and demonstrates commitment to wildlife habitat, water resources, sustainable forestry, recreational amenities, heritage viewsheds, public access, and local character. Preservation of Tree Farm #1 represents an important accomplishment for the South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative and a step in the direction of the Partnership's vision.

see the Conservation Fund's press release

SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARTNERSHIP SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR UP TO $25,000 IN GRANTS

2010-05-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

BOILING SPRINGS, Pa. (May 11, 2010)-The South Mountain Partnership is seeking applications for up to $25,000 in grants for local projects that protect and promote the natural or cultural resources of the South Mountain region, working to sustain its sense of place.

The South Mountain Partnership, led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is an alliance of nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, private businesses, and local and regional agencies. It seeks to encourage economic growth and revitalize local communities based on the abundance of their natural and cultural assets, including agriculture, natural resources, cultural heritage, and recreational attractions.

Particularly encouraged to apply are municipalities surrounding South Mountain in Franklin, Adams, Cumberland, and York counties.

The grant program, in its second year, requires a one-to-one match by the recipient, with priority given to projects with multiple partners that overlap partnership goals and provide the greatest regional benefit. Projects derived from the action plans of teams who attended an earlier "Balancing Nature and Commerce" workshop also will be given additional priority. DCNR originated the funding for the grants.

A workshop at the Mt. Asbury Retreat, 1310 Centerville Road, Newville, on May 26 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., will provide details on specific criteria and the grant process and instructions for the completing the application. Plenty of time is being scheduled for individual questions, partnership leaders say. The application and frequently asked questions about the program can be viewed on the South Mountain Partnership Web site, www.southmountaincli.blogspot.com.

Stephanie Williams of the Cumberland County Planning Department, which received a 2009 grant for the Cumberland Valley Local Food, Farm and Outdoor Attractions Guide, says, "This grant brought together diverse stakeholders who had a common interest." Her office collaborated with both the Cumberland Valley Visitor Bureau and the Capital Resource and Conservation and Development Areas Council on the guide.

ATC says it highly encourages potential applicants to discuss project ideas in advance with Kimberly Williams, grant administrator and South Mountain Partnership coleader. She can be reached by e-mail at kwilliams@appalachiantrail.org or by calling the organization's mid-Atlantic regional office in Boiling Springs at (717) 258-5771.

The 36,000-member conservancy was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials who were working to build a continuous footpath on the Appalachian Mountains from Maine to Georgia. A private nonprofit, it is focused solely on the protection, management, and promotion of the Appalachian Trail. It supports more than 6,000 volunteers in 30 affiliated local organizations who typically donate more than 200,000 hours a year on trail-related work.

The trail's national offices, with a visitors center open seven days a week, are located in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. Further information on its programs, as well as hiking information, is available at www.appalachiantrail.org.

______________________________________________________

Contact: Kimberly Williams, (717) 258-5771

South Mountain Partnership meeting: May 26th, 2010

2010-05-03T13:39:00.001-07:00

Join us at the South Mountain Partnership Meeting. Registration is required. You can register below (you will be taken to a registration website. Click here for the full agenda or see below. A $5 donation is requested to support the cost.

Agenda:

1:00 PM

Opening Remarks: Our Success So Far

Review of Agenda

Kim Williams and Mike Eschenmann, South Mountain Partnership Co-Leads

1:30 PM

United States Colored Troops Grand Review/ Preservation Projects in the South Mountain Region

Lenwood Sloan, Director of Culture and Heritage, PA Department of Community and Economic Development

2:00 PM

What Compels The Citizens of the South Mountain Region? A Summary of the South Mountain Region-wide Citizen Survey

Joseph Borrell, Chair and Associate Professor Dept. of Communications/ Journalism Shippensburg University

2:20 PM Other 2009 Mini-Grant Recipient Updates South Mountain Speakers Updates

2:30 PM 15 Minute Break

2:45 PM

Outcomes of the South Mountain Summit and Balancing Nature and Commerce Workshop

Mike Eschenmann, South Mountain Partnership Co-lead

3:15 PM

South Mountain Partnership 5-Year Plan Kick-Off

Kim Williams and Steering Committe

We have achieved many of our targeted "nexus" goals and will begin to develop a 5-Year Plan that will target some key issues such as:

Refining an organizational structure
Prioiritizing support and determinging key projects and actions in the next several years
Refining what being a "partner means" We hope to have a spirited discussion what you think are the strenghts, weakness, and opportunities of the Partnership may be. Stay tuned for a pre-meeting survey that will help informat us on your thoughts.

4:30 PM

Next Steps (10-15 minutes) Partners/ Faciliated by Kim Williams

MINI-Grant Workshop

4:30-5:30 PM South Mountain Mini-Grant Workshop Reception

5:30-6:30 PM South Mountain Mini-Grant Workshop

Note: If you have registered for the Partnership Meeting, you will get a chance to indicate you will be going to the workshop. No need to register seperatlly.

Amphibian Mecca in Our Backyard! Check Out This Discovery Channel Video Filmed Locally:

2010-04-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Check out the Discovery Channel video filmed just outside King's Gap about the importance of vernal pools.

One of our very owners partners, Betsey Leppo of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (plus others) appear in the video.

Click here to see the video.

Vernal pools are located at the toe sloped of South Mountain and are a mecca for migrating amphibians in the spring time.

The South Mountain Advocate: Spring 2010 Edition

2010-01-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

Click here to view the Spring 2010 South Mountain advocate. The Partnership has a lot going on in 2010.

The Spring Newsletter lets you in on all the exciting activities and news of the

South Mountain Partnership and its partners.

Some of the news headlines in the Spring 2010 Issue…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Opportunities to Engage with the South Mountain Partnership in 2010

• The South Mountain Summit / February 19th, 2010 / Penn Township Fire Hall /

www.southmountainsummit.blogspot.com

• The South Mountain Speakers Series / Kick-off: February 18th, 2010 at 7 pm / Wood Center at the Capitol Theater in Chambersburg / www.southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com

• Ed McMahon, “Dollars & Sense of Protecting Community Character / April 12th, 2010 at 7 pm / Allenberry Resort and Playhouse / www.southmountainclibnc.blogspot.com

Come hear Ed McMahon, noted author, attorney, lecturer and expert on creating and sustaining livable and prosperous communities. Asset based economic development, tourism promotion, and historic preservation are among the themes of Mr. McMahon’s program.

• Balancing Nature and Commerce in the South Mountain Region Workshop / April 13-14th, 2010 / Allenberry Resort and Playhouse / www.southmountainclibnc.blogspot.com

This 2-day workshop will provide teams (made up of community leaders and stakeholders) with an opportunity to explore significant issues facing communities that are balancing community and economic development with preserving the region’s natural beauty and valued assets like agriculture, extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, and unique heritage.

Other headlines:

……………………………………………………………………

County Developing Agritourism & Outdoor Recreation Guide

………………………………………………………………………

U.S. Colored Troops Commemorated in the South Mountain Region

………………………………………………………………………

The South Mountain Geo-Trail Project

Developing a treasure hunt for the region’s assets

………………………………………………………………………

South Mountain Ecological Treasure Troves

Workshop series focuses on local conservation and promotion of vernal pools and trout streams

…………………………………………………………………

South Mountain Speakers Series

Series Kick-Off “South Mountain: The Cradle of Conservation,” to be held February 18th

HOT OFF THE PRESS- November 2009 Newsletter

2009-10-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the South Mountain Monthly Update, a newsletter that highlights projects of our partners, major success of the CLI, topics of interest, etc…

To download the whole newsletter, click here: http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1522127&da=y

If you feel something should be in the next newsletter, please contact Kim Williams at kwilliams@appalachiantrail.org

The South Mountain Story

2009-09-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Check out the brand new brochure (click pages to left) developed for the partnership.

To download this brochure, click here:

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1234183&da=y

September Newsletter

2009-09-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

You can down load the newsletter here: http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1357851&da=y

HOT OFF THE PRESS! The South Mountain Monthly News: August Newsletter

2009-08-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

Check out the South Mountain Monthly Update, a newsletter that highlights projects of our partners, major success of the CLI, topics of interest, etc…

If you feel something should be in the next newsletter (occurring in August), please contact Kim Williams at kwilliams@appalachiantrail.org\

download and view the newsletter here: keepandshare.com

The South Mountain Monthly News

2009-05-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Check out our new South Mountain Monthly Update, a newsletter that highlights projects of our partners, major success of the CLI, topics of interest, etc… If you feel something should be in the next newsletter (occurring in August), please contact Kim Williams at kwilliams@appalachiantrail.org
For the full newsletter click here: http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1234432&da=y