November/December Partnership Update
December 23, 2020
As 2020 ends, I am struck by the critical needs – safe outdoor recreation, a stable and nutritious local food system, clean drinking water, and a steadfast, familiar sense of place and personal identity – that this landscape, our home, provided to us during this year of social and political upheaval. May we never take this landscape for granted, or those organizations and individuals stewarding our land and resources.
While the South Mountain Partnership, members, and partners were not immune to the unprecedented challenges of the year, we are thankful for so much—from launching the Dillsburg Community Heart & Soul® revitalization project with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, celebrating the 50th Earth Day, debuting the Friends of the South Mountain Partnership with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, to facilitating the Climate Action Series. The Partnership’s commitment to healthy, resilient landscape resources and communities across Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties has only been strengthened in these times. These accomplishments, advanced by over thirty-five local committee members, Partners, and Friends have laid the foundation for even more success in the year ahead. Ending the year with gratitude, I hope that you join me in optimism and joy as we look forward.
We have big plans for 2021, and they involve you! The South Mountain Partnership will build bridges in 2021. Bridges between partners throughout the region, bridges across political and geographical boundaries, and bridges that foster common ground and connect different perspectives and worldviews. We will announce the specifics at our 10th Annual “Power of the Partnership” Celebration on January 29th and share them in our next edition of this newsletter.
The year has reaffirmed one of my favorite South Mountain Partnership truisms – despite the different opinions, perspectives, and worldviews that each of us carry, we all share a common trait: we call the South Mountain landscape home. We believe in the power of this common ground to build conversation around the future of this landscape – and our future while living within this landscape.
We are so thankful to have a community of people who believe in our mission and vision and we thank you for your continued support of the South Mountain Partnership and this special place that we call home.
Thank you for your support. Best wishes and happy holidays to you!
My Best,
Katie Hess
Director, South Mountain Partnership