On February 9, the South Mountain Partnership announced Dr. Claire Jantz has been recognized with the Spirit of South Mountain Award for advancing a positive and sustainable future for the South Mountain Landscape.

The South Mountain Landscape includes Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York Counties.

The 9th award was presented to Dr. Jantz because of her work as a convener who is skilled in bringing together community groups and the next generation to protect and enhance the region’s agricultural, historical, natural, and recreational resources.

Dr. Jantz’s commendable professional work is enhanced by her incredible public service record, demonstrating a deep personal commitment to the region and all that makes this place a great place to live, work, and play.

She serves on multiple South Mountain Partnership committees, the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy board, is a supporter of the Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council, and as a member of the Rotary Club of Shippensburg, Borough of Shippensburg Zoning Hearing Board and Shade Tree Commission.

She is a founding member and Chair of the Friends of Michaux State Forest, working with DCNR to protect 85,000 acres of Michaux State Forest that house natural, cultural, and recreational resources at the heart of the South Mountain region by coordinating outreach and education, trail building, clean-ups, seed collection, and development of a resource stewardship program.

As an example of her transformative partnership investments and leadership, Dr. Jantz recently protected one of the region’s remaining 19th century iron furnaces, Big Pond Furnace, from development and arranged transfer to The Archaeological Conservancy for permanent protection and future research.

In her personal and professional life, Dr. Jantz works passionately to conserve and promote landscape resources to enrich the quality of life and sense of place for our citizens and communities.

The past eight recipients were awarded the honor for their work in areas of conservation or promotion of agricultural, historical, natural, or recreational resources, and for creating community and collaboration across the landscape between local government, nonprofits and community organizations, businesses, and citizens.

The award ceremony can be watched on the South Mountain Partnership YouTube Channel and Facebook page of the South Mountain Partnership.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the South Mountain Partnership website.  Sign up for regular updates from the Partnership (bottom of the webpage).

Find out more about Friends of South Mountain Partnership.

Visit DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiatives webpage for more on similar programs around Pennsylvania.

[Posted: February 9, 2021]

2/15/2021