Building on our past to create a legacy for our future


Connecting our environmental and social history to today's issues.

From Springs to Sprinklers





News for Immediate Release

Oct. 2, 2012
DCNR: Next South Mountain Lecture to Focus on Water Quality and Quantity in the Region
 
Harrisburg – The final lecture of the year in the South Mountain Speaker Series will focus on the challenges of conserving water quality and quantity in the region on Thursday, Nov. 8, in Memorial Auditorium at Shippensburg University.
“From trout fishing in our spring-fed creeks to the ice cold glass we enjoy on a hot summer's day, water is at the heart of our quality of life here in the South Mountain region,” said Allen Dieterich-Ward, an associate professor of history at Shippensburg University and the chair of the South Mountain Partnership committee on the speaker series. “Over the years, new demands on ground and surface water have created challenges for conserving these important resources.”

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception featuring displays by local watershed and advocacy groups. 
At 7 p.m., Pat Bowling, a hydrologist with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, will describe water challenges and then join a panel of local experts to discuss ways to protect our water supply for future generations.

The panel will include Dr. Christopher Woltemade, a professor in Shippensburg’s Department of Geography/Earth Science, and Michael Christopher, manager of Washington Township, Franklin County.

This event is sponsored by the Adams, Cumberland and Franklin county conservation districts; Shippensburg University; DCNR; and the South Mountain Partnership.
This is the third year for the South Mountain Speakers Series, envisioned as a revival of the talks given by Joseph Rothrock in the late 19th century as part of his work to preserve and restore Pennsylvania’s forests and natural landscape. The series is anticipated to return in 2013.
Sparked by DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiative, the South Mountain Partnership is an effort to engage communities, local partners, state agencies and funding opportunities to conserve high-quality natural and cultural resources while enhancing the region’s economic viability.
 
For more information about the speaker series, visit http://southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com/ or call the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at 717-258-5771.
Some of the earlier lectures in the speaker series can now be found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthMtnSpeakers.
Media contact: Christina Novak, 717-772-9101

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Click here to download the PDF version.

News for Immeidate Release: Keeping Fruit Healthy






 
 
News for Immediate Release
Sept. 4, 2012
DCNR: Next South Mountain Lecture to Focus on the Challenges of Keeping Fruit Healthy

Harrisburg Efforts to keep fruit healthy in the orchards around the southcentral region will be the topic of the next lecture in the South Mountain Speakers Series on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Penn State University Fruit Research and Extension Center at 290 University Drive, Biglerville, Adams County.

The brown marmorated stink bug has caused considerable crop losses for fruit growers at the same time populations of native pollinators have significantly declined.

At 1 p.m., David Biddinger, biocontrol specialist and researcher at the PSU Fruit Research and Extension Center, will discuss some of these challenges, followed by a tour of the FREC outdoor research facility.

“Fruit growers are constantly encountering new invasive species and diseases that threaten the health of the numerous orchards that dot the South Mountain area,” said Allen Dieterich-Ward, an associate professor of history at Shippensburg University and the chair of the South Mountain Partnership committee on the speaker series. “Participants will find out how scientists and growers combat these threats to the South Mountain fruit belt, and learn more about research programs during a tour of the center’s grounds.”

Light refreshments will be served. 

Dieterich-Ward added that Biglerville is a great starting point for the Gettysburg Wine and Fruit Trail (http://www.gettysburgwineandfruittrail.com). 

“Participants should consider arriving in the area early or staying after the event to explore the fruit markets, restaurants, vineyards and beautiful scenery of Adams County’s fruit belt,” he said.

This is the third year for the South Mountain Speakers Series, envisioned as a revival of the talks given by Joseph Rothrock in the late 19th century as part of his work to preserve and restore Pennsylvania’s forests and natural landscape.  Rothrock, a Pennsylvania native, was a pioneer in forest management in the United States and is often referred to as the state’s “Father of Forestry.”

This event is sponsored by the Penn State FREC, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Mont Alto campus, Gettysburg Wine and Fruit Trail and the South Mountain Partnership.

The South Mountain Partnership, made up of private citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizations and government representatives in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties, works to protect and enhance the region’s landscape.

The partnership was sparked by DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiative, an effort to engage communities, local partners, state agencies and funding opportunities to conserve the high-quality natural and cultural resources while enhancing the region’s economic viability.

The series will continue at the Go Local For Health Summit with keynote speaker Gina Calhoun of the Copeland Center. The summit is Sept. 18 in Gettysburg. Calhoun will discuss the link of mental health to healthy eating, exercise and access to the outdoors.  Registration is required.

For more information about the speaker series, visit http://southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com/ or call the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at 717-258-5771.

Some of the earlier lectures in the speaker series can now be found on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthMtnSpeakers.


Media contact: Christina Novak, 717-772-9101

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Join Us at Go Local for Health on September 18th, 2012

Join us at the Gettysburg Hotel for the Go Local for Health Summit, featuring a South Mountain Speaker as the keynote event.  As keynote speaker, Gina Calhoun of the Copeland Center will discuss the link of mental health to healthy eating, exercise, and access to the outdoors.  Gina's keynote will commence at 8:30 a.m. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.  To register click here

Go Local for Health is a regional summit, to be held in September 18, 2012, uniting community leaders, stakeholders and the general public on the issues of affordable and accessible healthy eating and recreation opportunities in south central Pennsylvania.  Rates of chronic diseases and related risk factors continue to increase locally and a comprehensive approach is needed to address them.  

Go Local for Health attendees will be educated on current community efforts and national best practices, and participate in planning dialogues about promoting health regionally.

To learn more about the whole day summit, visit
http://golocal4health.blogspot.com/


Don't Forget! Take part in the Speakers Series! The call for proposals is now open!

We need your help.

We have begun planning for our 2013 South Mountain Speakers Series- a program that has drawn over 1,500 interested citizens in the last two years. The theme of the Speakers Series is "engaging with the past to protect the future- connecting our social and environmental history to today's issues."



To get an idea of Speakers Series events, check out the 2012 event schedule below.


Click the picture to the left or the link below to send your proposals our way! Speakers Series All Call Survey.

Join Us August 26th, 2012: Fierce Friends- the South Mountain Story of Snakes and Bats

Be sure to keep your schedule clear, you won't want to miss this Speakers Series coming to you in August!



“Fierce Friends” to be Topic of Next South Mountain Lecture Series in August

Harrisburg – Snakes and bats will be the topic of the next lecture in the South Mountain Speakers Series on Sunday, Aug. 26, at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center in Carlisle.

State wildlife biologists Aura Stauffer and Jim Chestney will offer a free lecture entitled “Fierce Friends” beginning at 2 p.m. 

“Snakes and bats are a duo of mysterious, elusive creatures that are sometimes misunderstood but play an important role in the ecology of the South Mountain region,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan said. “This is the story of their beneficial relationship with humans and their fierce fight for survival.”

The biologists will describe the natural history and precarious future of these unique animals, based on a regional study of their critical habitats. 

Several native snakes, including venomous species, will be displayed during a question and answer session at the end of the program.

This is the third year for the South Mountain Speakers Series, envisioned as a revival of the talks given by Joseph Rothrock in the late 19th century as part of his work to preserve and restore Pennsylvania’s forests and natural landscape.  Rothrock, a Pennsylvania native, was a pioneer in forest management in the United States and is often referred to as the state’s “Father of Forestry.”

This event is sponsored by DCNR, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the South Mountain Partnership. The South Mountain Partnership is a group of private citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizations and government representatives in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties, working together to protect and enhance the landscape.

The partnership was sparked by DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiative, an effort to engage communities, local partners, state agencies and funding opportunities to conserve the high-quality natural and cultural resources while enhancing the region’s economic viability.

The series will continue with “Keeping Fruit Healthy: Challenges to Keeping Food on Your Plate” on Sept. 8 at the Penn State Extension Biglerville Research Station in Adams County.

For more information about the speaker series, visit http://southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com/ or call the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at 717-258-5771.

Some of the earlier lectures in the speaker series can now be found on Youtube at

Speakers Series All-Call

Take part in the Speakers Series! The call for proposals is now open!
We need your help.

We have begun planning for our 2013 South Mountain Speakers Series- a program that has drawn over 1,500 interested citizens in the last two years. The theme of the Speakers Series is "engaging with the past to protect the future- connecting our social and environmental history to today's issues."

To get an idea of Speakers Series events, check out the 2012 event schedule below.
 Click the picture to the left or the link below to send your proposals our way! Speakers Series All Call Survey.
 

You may also contact Lisa regarding your ideas for an event:
Lisa Brayda
Community Outreach Coordinator
South Mountain Partnership- Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Phone: 717.258.5771
Mobile: 845.521.1973
Email:LBrayda@appalachiantrail.org


We look forward to hearing your ideas and thank you for helping us make the upcoming Speakers Series events amazing!

Attention! Attention! Press Release for Bank Barns Speaker Series!

News for Immediate Release June 25, 2012
Bank Barns are Focus of South Mountain Speaker Series Lecture in July



Harrisburg – Bank barns of the Cumberland Valley will be the topic of the next lecture in the South Mountain Speakers Series on Thursday, July 19 at the Community Center in Norlo Park, Guilford Township, Franklin County.

Bank barns are barns that are often built into the side of a hill, or bank, so that both the upper and lower levels of the barn are accessible at ground level.

Dianna Heim, author of the book "Cumberland Valley Barns: Past and Present," and Phil Schaff, local barn photographer and researcher will offer a free lecture beginning at 7 p.m. at the center, 3050 Lincoln Way East. 

Heim and Schaff will talk about area barns; how development has impacted the farms on which they stand; their remaining numbers; the results of a statewide barn survey; and the ‘green’ heating and cooling methods of barns.

“Barns are the reason the agricultural productivity of south-central Pennsylvania grew, flourished and became the basis of every form of industry in southcentral Pennsylvania,” said Allen Dieterich-Ward, an assistant professor of history at Shippensburg University and the chair of the South Mountain Partnership committee on the speaker series. “In addition to establishing the region’s economy, these houses of labor are part of our cultural heritage.”

Pennsylvania has 182 farms and barns listed on the National Register of Historic Properties.

This is the third year for the South Mountain Speakers Series, envisioned as a revival of the talks given by Joseph Rothrock in the late 19th century as part of his work to preserve and restore Pennsylvania’s forests and natural landscape.  Rothrock, a Pennsylvania native, was a pioneer in forest management in the United States and is often referred to as the state’s “Father of Forestry.”

This event is sponsored by the Fulton Center for Sustainable Living at Wilson College, Guilford Township and the South Mountain Partnership. The South Mountain Partnership is a group of private citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizations and government representatives in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties, working together to protect and enhance the landscape.

The partnership was sparked by DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiative, an effort to engage communities, local partners, state agencies and funding opportunities to conserve the high-quality natural and cultural resources while enhancing the region’s economic viability.

The series will continue with “Fierce Friends: The Story of Snakes and Bats” on Aug. 26 at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center in Cumberland County.

For more information about the speaker series, visit http://southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com/ or call the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at 717-258-5771.

Some of the earlier lectures in the speaker series can now be found on Youtube at



Media contact: Christina Novak, 717-772-9101

            

Upcoming Speakers Series Event Coming Soon! July 19th, 2012

Make Sure To Mark Your Calendars! July 19th, 2012

Barns are the reason the agricultural productivity of south-central Pennsylvania grew, flourished and became the basis of every form of industry in south-central PA. In addition to establishing the region’s economy, these houses of labor are part of our cultural heritage. Pennsylvania has 182 farms and barns listed on the National Register of Historic Properties. In addition, Pennsylvania has 1,900 farms in the Century Farm Program and 117 farms in the Bicentennial Farm Program, which recognize Pennsylvania families who have been farming the same land for 100 and 200 years, respectively. Both programs are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Dianna Heim, author of the Cumberland Valley Barns: Past and Present, and Phil Schaff, local barn photographer and researcher, will talk about area barns, how development has impacted the farms on which they stand, a state wide barn survey, their 18th and 19th century ‘green’ heating and cooling methods and their remaining numbers.