South Mountain Partnership (SMP) is unveiling a streamlined, updated version of southmountainpartnership.org. The refreshed website features a rejuvenated logo embodying the “Spirit of South Mountain” while also giving SMP more flexibility and readability. The logo is a gateway to imagining exploring a stream, watching the hawk, hiking the mountain, or cycling past a historic farm field. The colors of the logo were inspired by seasonal colors found within the landscape. As the core work of the South Mountain Partnership remains the same, the renewed appearance brings a more contemporary appeal to the Partnership’s visual identity.
The new website is centered around showcasing the work of the South Mountain Partnership network and connecting visitors with the resources they need efficiently. The website has a searchable archive to capture the decade-and-half of SMP’s initiatives. The site also offers job postings in the conservation field as well as funding opportunities and conservation resources. SMP featured images received from a regional photo contest throughout the website. The website refresh was led by Afteractive with support from the South Mountain Partnership Communication and Leadership committees. It was a prime focus of 2022.
Program Manager Julia Chain said, “The natural evolution of the partnership spurred the development of the refreshed website. In fact, the site is reflective of the South Mountain Partnership’s mission as a conservation network.”
The South Mountain Partnership is a collaborative network of people and organizations protecting and promoting the agricultural, natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the region in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties of southcentral Pennsylvania. SMP is one of Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’s eight identified conservation landscapes. SMP work is made possible by a public-private partnership between PA DCNR, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and over 40 local partners. The primary work of the partnership is building relationships with a variety of partners, stakeholders, communities, citizens, and municipalities to bring awareness to the importance of the South Mountain region. Through a holistic approach and focused collaboration, the South Mountain Partnership hosts initiatives such as the State of the Region project and holds meetings attended by more than 500 total attendees throughout the year. In addition, the annual South Mountain Mini-Grant Program has generated a total investment of $660,000, since commencing in 2009. The grants stimulated matching funds of $1,300,000 for the region.
Looking ahead ten, twenty, even fifty years, the Partnership is seeking to maintain a healthy landscape. SMP strives for a future where conserved resources and vibrant communities share a common sense of place, and the region works together on well-planned growth and sustainable economic development. The renewed version of southmountainpartnership.org will support this work.
The South Mountain Partnership (SMP) is a collaborative network of people and organizations protecting and promoting the agricultural, natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the region in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties of southcentral Pennsylvania. To stay abreast of SMP, subscribe to the newsletter at www.southmountainpartnership.org
The South Mountain Partnership is financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) celebrated Benjamin Franklin, Franklin County‘s namesake, on the evening of his 317th birthday. The 11/30 Visitors Center transformed to the “Spirit of Independence Tavern on 11/30” to host more than 175 tourism partners and members of the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance at a Ben Franklin Day Mixer. Three centuries after his birth, Americans still know about Benjamin Franklin– his level-headed advice, his community-minded inventions, and his passion for independence.
Ben’s birthday was the perfect time for FCVB to celebrate community and recognize impactful partners. In 2018, when a 135-foot, high voltage power line project was proposed to cross nearly thirty miles of Franklin County, the county came together behind the use of county land and gave a collective voice to the county’s value. The project simply did not make sense as one to improve and deliver power. Ultimately, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission did not approve the project. Without partnership and love of community, Franklin County’s voice would not have been heard and the land of Franklin County respected. The FCVB Board of Directors knows the tourism assets of Franklin County depends on respecting and maintaining Franklin County’s natural, agricultural, and cultural resources because it is the reason Franklin County is a good place to live, work, play, and visit. Out of genuine appreciation and esteem came two special recognitions of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau—Partners for Impact Awards and Community Impact Award.
Benjamin Franklin would be among the biggest supporters of these awards, so it just made sense to celebrate Ben, the community of Franklin County, and say thank you with these two awards. The recipients of the Partners for Impact Award were the South Mountain Partnership, Lori and Allen Rice, Karri Benedict, Leah Nitterhouse, and the Franklin County Commissioners. All were recognized for their collective work to sustain the natural, agricultural, and cultural resources of Franklin County. Brad Warner of Patriot Federal Credit Union received the first Community Impact Award because of support in the powerline struggle and for generous and abiding contributions to make Franklin County a good place to live, work, play, and visit.
Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance (CVBCA) was on hand and received the proceeds of the 2022 Franklin County Festival of Trees. Samantha Logsdon, CVBCA, accepted a check for $7000, the money raised from voting and auctioning of 51 trees and 18 wreaths at the 4th annual event. Also presented at the Ben Franklin Day Mixer was the Franklin County Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) of the Year 2022 Award. Heather McEndree was chosen by her fellow CTAs. CTA is a national certification, which Franklin County PA initiated in 2017. The Franklin County CTA program strives to bring consistency, positivity, and pride to the people visitors meet.
When accepting the Community Impact Award, Brad Warner of Patriot Federal Credit Union said, “In more than 40 years of working in banking that he had not found a community like Franklin County.” People come together and make things happen. Franklin County Visitors Bureau is proud to represent Franklin County PA.
Each year the South Mountain Partnership recognizes an individual, project, or organization that has made significant contributions to advancing a positive and sustainable future for the South Mountain landscape.
We need your help spreading the word about this honor and nominating the next recipient. This award is community supported through nominations from across the region.
Nominate a great person, place, or project.
Nomination forms must be submitted by Friday, December 3, 2021; award presentation will occur during the 11th annual “Power of the Partnership” celebration January 21, 2022. To nominate, download the form here. Email the completed form to Julia Chain at jchain@appalachiantrail.org
The 2021 South Mountain Mini-Grant Program is now open! The grant program catalyzes on-the-ground projects that protect and promote the South Mountain region in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York Couties. Submit your short pre-application form by Friday, May 28, 2021. Only those who pre-apply may submit a final application. For more information and to download the application, please click here.
Funding for South Mountain Mini-Grants is provided by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the Pennsylvania Environmental Stewardship Fund. Grants are awarded through the South Mountain Partnership, with assistance from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Our mini-grants leverage a return of more than double and fund community-driven projects that provide lasting improvements and benefits to Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties.
The South Mountain Landscape is a unique and special place that is worth conserving and celebrating. Join the South Mountain Partnership as it celebrates the landscape and the work of partners to invest in a sustainable, healthy future for the South Mountain region. Also, on tap is the Spirit of South Mountain Award and South Mountain Mini-Grants. Anyone interested in making the South Mountain region a better place to live, work, and play is welcome.
Join us in welcoming Secretary Dunn of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Commissioner DiFilippo of Cumberland County, plus an impressive panel to the 10th annual event! Register here.
Welcome and Opening Remarks (8:30am) Secretary Cindy Dunn, PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources and Commissioner DiFilippo, Cumberland County
Profiles of Action Panel- New and old faces will join us to discuss the evolution of the South Mountain Partnership, the need for preserving and promoting this landscape, why the diverse work of our Partners and programs matter, and the value that Landscape Conservation brings to the region.
2021 Plans, Accomplishments in 2020 – Reconnect with the Partnership to understand our 2020 work. Then, in with the new as we share our plans for 2021.
South Mountain Mini-Grant Award – Hear about the exciting projects that partners are undertaking in 2021 as recipients of South Mountain Mini-Grants.
Spirit of South Mountain Award – This meaningful award recognizes individuals, projects or organizations that have gone above-and-beyond to advancing a positive future for the South Mountain landscape.
