Twice annually (Spring and Winter), the Partnership holds a Partnership-wide meeting for all partners and any interested individuals or organizations to come together and build relationships and collaborations around the promotion and preservation of our region’s landscape resources. This event includes breakfast snacks and coffee.

These meetings are a chance to:
– Connect or reconnect with the Partnership, learning more about initiatives and on-going projects
– Build and strengthen our network of people and organizations working throughout the region
– Spark conversation and collaboration across political and sectorial boundaries
– Engage 50+ partners in on-going work throughout the region
– Involve partners in defining the direction of the Partnership

About the Event

This Spring our meeting is being hosted by our partners in Franklin County and will feature a spotlight on some of the great work happening across the county and special focus on the State Parks and Forests within our region. Park Manager Earl Hockenberry will provide an initial welcome to Caledonia State Park.  The South Mountain Partnership will share an interactive update on our State of the Region Planning Project, as well as organizational updates. Don’t forget to bring your organizational news for our closing round-robin!

There will be an optional pizza lunch and hike following the event. All are welcome to join us for an approximately 2 mile total (there and back) interpretive hike nearby on the Thaddeus Stevens Historic Trail with invited guests of DCNR Environmental Educators and historian.  All are welcome on the hike, but please only partake in the lunch if you are pre-registered.

Event Sponsors:

Please join us in thanking our generous sponsors of the Spring Meeting.

Event Agenda: 

8:30am | Informal networking, partner information table, and light refreshments.

9:00am | WELCOME 

Park Manager Earl Hockenberry will provide initial welcome to Caledonia State Park.  Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Franklin County Commissioners will then kick-off the meeting. And last, we will hear from our awesome sponsors  who help support these events and programs.

9:20am | FRANKLIN COUNTY FOCUS

We’ve invited staff from Franklin County to share updates and plans for the coming year.

Speakers: Steve Thomas and Cody Barnhart, Franklin County Planning; Janet Pollard, Franklin County Visitors Bureau

9:50am | WHAT DO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS DO?

Meet and engage with DCNR’s environmental education professionals from across the landscape in this panel session and learn more about their role in education and stewardship building.

Speakers: Onnolee Jansen, Kings Gap State Park; Angela McCarty, Pine Grove Furnace State Park; Suzanne Hartley and Amy Shull, Michaux State Forest; Elizabeth Kepley-McNutt, Gifford Pinchot State Park

10:20am | WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MICHAUX STATE FOREST 

Hear from Michaux State Forest and learn about key projects and plans for the coming year.

Speakers: Suzanne Hartley, Michaux State Forest

10:45am | STATE OF THE REGION UPDATE

Hang around after the break for an update on the State of the Region project and an interactive opportunity for the audience to provide feedback to help the Partnership further shape our priorities and actions around this study.

11:00am | BREAK

Stretch your legs and minds, and network with folks from across the region!

11:30am | SMP UPDATES 

South Mountain Partnership updates on recent work and initiatives!

11:45am | PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS/NEWS

We want to hear from you! We have time set aside for a round-robin-style update from our partners… Please share an announcement or news with the group.

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12:00pm – 1:30pm | OPTIONAL LUNCH AND INTERPRETIVE HIKE

If prepaid and pre-registered, stay for an optional lunch. All are welcome to join us for approximately 2 mile total (there and back) interpretive hike nearby on the Thaddeus Stevens Historic Trail.  All are welcome on the hike, but please only partake in the lunch if you are pre-registered.