January 31, 2025 9AM-12PM

More than 100 folks gathered January 31st at Keystone Kidspace in the City of York for our 2025 Winter Partnership Meeting. The energy and connection was palpable in the room and the speakers shared critical information with attendees. Please join us in thanking our generous sponsor’s that made the event possible.

Speaker Wrap Up:

DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and York County Commissioner Scott Burford and Commissioner Doug Hoke welcomed us and extolled the successes of York County with their investment in outdoor recreation, cultural history, and open space conservation. Teddy Fisher of York County Parks announced a new county park in Fairview Township.

Melissa Beaverson of Explore York shared York County Tourism Statistics and gave information on their Tourism Grant Program. Wade Gobrecht and Anne Walko of the York County Planning Commission presented on the history and funding of their program [which started through public polling that citizens could support a tax increase for conservation to have its own line item in the county budget] which has resulted in over 1,000 acre, 12 planning projects and 37 improvement projects funded.

David Gonzalez and Brendan Salyards of the York County Economic Alliance presented on two major projects, the York County Trail Towns and the Codorus Greenway. Both of these projects demonstrate investments in people, arts, local businesses, and the outdoors drastically improve quality of life and economic outcomes in York County.

Our lightning round of funders went by quickly, with each presenter sharing information on their programs. Check the linked slides for contact information for each of these funding professionals.

• Sarah Merritt, PA Council on the Arts
• Madra Clay and Lisa Mrosczyk Murphy, Department of Community and Economic Development
• Lori Yeich, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Frank Grumbine, State Historic Preservation Office
• Natalee Gunderson, York County Community Foundation

Katie Hess of the South Mountain Partnership shared a recap of 2024 successes for the Partnership, and previewed what is next for our State of the Region Implementation; most notably the kicking off of a Regional Trail Coalition and wrapping up the Natural Heritage Inventory project.

Denise Watts and Rachel Goad of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy reported out on their research related to the update of the Natural Heritage Inventory including 62 surveys with more field work to occur this season!

Download presentation slides for the event here.

Twice annually, the Partnership holds a meeting in which all partners and interested parties are invited to come together and build relationships and collaborations across the region. This Winter, we are excited to explore York City. This event includes breakfast snacks and coffee from Gather365.

Sponsored in part by:

About the Event

Start your New Year with inspiration and connection! Host York County will be showcasing incredible projects in York City aimed at providing residents with access to cultural and recreational resources. We will also explore the unique funding models that make these projects possible and hear from local grant program managers. Our meeting will also include updates from the Partnership and time for your organizational updates. This meeting is packed with key opportunities such as;

• Learn about the current projects of our host county,
  • 1) the downtown Codorus Greenway project will offer community access to water, increased water quality, and cultural history through art and connections to downtown.
  • 2) Updates from the York County Heritage Rail Trail
  • 3) Funding from the York County Open and Land Protection Program as well as funding from PA Council on the Arts, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Creative funding from PA Council on the Arts, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• SMP is sharing our “resolutions” for State of the Region Implementation in 2025.
• 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
• Hear from local and state officials and spark conversation and collaboration across political and sectoral boundaries
• Engage 50+ partners in on-going work throughout the region
• Involve partners in defining the direction of the Partnership

Agenda 

8:30-9:00AM | Networking and Breakfast Snacks

Informal networking, coffee, and light snacks begin at 8:30 am

9:00-9:15AM | Welcome 

York County Commissioners Doug Hoke and Commissioner Scott Burford

Deputy Secretary Dr. Claire Jantz, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

9:15-9:50AM | Spotlight on York: Creative Projects for Community Benefit 

York County Planning Commission will share updates from York County Open Space and Land Protection Program, as well as highlight their funding structure. Then Explore York and the York County Economic Alliance will bring you up to speed on their Codorus Creek Project and the York County Heritage Rail Trail. 

Speakers: Explore York, Wade Gobrecht and Anne Walko, York County Planning Commission, York County Economic Alliance

9:50-10:20AM |Creative Funding for Cultural Benefit

Learn how these funders can be combined with more traditional conservation funding for increased impact in your community.

Speakers: Sarah Merritt, PA Council for the Arts, Madra Clay, Department of Community and Economic Development, Lori Yeich, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

10:20-10:30AM | Break

10:30-11:00AM | “State of the Region” New Years Resolutions

We are digging into the implementation of the State of the Region Priority Projects. Hear from the South Mountain Partnership on new funding for our Regional Trail Project, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will update you on the newest data from the Natural Heritage Inventory. 

Speakers: Katie Hess, South Mountain Partnership, Denise Watts and Rachel Good, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

11:00-11:15AM | Round Robin 

Bring your organizational updates to share!

11:15-12:00PM | Meeting Close and Optional Walking Tour of York County Heritage Rail 

Join the York County Economic Alliance for an opportunity to see their projects in action, but please note this is weather permitting.