The South Mountain Partnership will hold its 2020 Spring Partnership meeting on June 5 via webinar from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

The South Mountain Partnership covers Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties.

During the spring meeting, participants will learn about the York County Open Space and Land Preservation Fund, which is an effort of the York County Agricultural Land Preservation Board, the Farm and Natural Lands Trust, the York County Conservation District, York County Parks, and the York County Planning Commission, under the direction of the York County Commissioners.

This created, for the first time, a sustainable source of funding for conservation in York County, which includes clean water and farmland preservation.

“Land preservation has been a goal of York County for many years with the first programs starting in 1990,” said Anne Walko, Senior Planner with York County, who will present on the Fund during the webinar. “But variable funding streams and economic fluctuations prevented the County from reaching its goals.  Over the past 5 years, the York County Land Protection Committee has worked together to achieve a dedicated source of land protection funding to meet benchmarks outlined in the County’s Comprehensive Plan.

“In December 2019, the York County Commissioners authorized a tax increase to provide additional support to the current land preservation activities of the York County Land Preservation Committee,” added Walko.  “Grants will also be available to municipalities and non-profit organizations to acquire land for open space.”

Other agenda topics include updates on the Dillsburg Heart & Soul Project and the South Mountain Trolley Greenway rail trail that could once again connect Dillsburg to Mechanicsburg.

Attendees will also have a chance to share a brief update on their organization via a handout that will be shared virtually with all on the webinar.

Katie Hess, Director of the South Mountain Partnership, said that, “Anyone interested in making the South Mountain region a better place to live, work, and play is encouraged to register for our regular meetings. While we won’t be able to network face to face as we usually do, we will still connect as a region and learn something interesting, celebrate the South Mountain region, and find out what we, collectively, can do to help.”

The webinar is free, but all must register in advance online by June 1, 2020. Details about how to log-on to the webinar will be emailed to those who register a few days prior to the event.

The South Mountain Landscape Initiative is one of several regional conservation landscape initiatives across the state to protect, restore and promote natural assets to collaborate on actions around sustainability, conservation, community revitalization and recreation and tourism.

For more information, visit DCNR’s Conservation Landscapes webpage.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how to get involved, visit the South Mountain Partnership website.

[Posted: May 5, 2020]

5/11/2020