South Mountain Partnership Announces $50,000 in Mini-Grants!
This morning the South Mountain Partnership announced its 2021 Grant Recipients at its Annual “Power of the Partnership” Celebration Event. The South Mountain Partnership’s Mini-Grant Program is intended to catalyze on-the-ground projects that further the goals of the Partnership, and to advance the capacity of partners to complete projects throughout the region. The Program provides funding, on a competitive basis, to projects that sustain the South Mountain landscape’s sense of place by protecting and promoting the region’s Landscape Resources like farms and farmland; historic places; wildlife, habitat and water; and trails and parks.
The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program was developed in 2009 and is administered by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Financial support is provided by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the Environmental Stewardship Fund. This year’s grantees received $50,000 in grant funds and leveraged +$155,000 in matching funds. The projects represent a diverse set of local organizations and municipalities with projects that advance sustainability, recreation, clean water, and so much more!
Assist in creating a dynamic student-developed composting and waste recycling program through compost supplies, support of student time, and educational signage. This program aims to bridge issues related to food waste, food insecurity, and soil health while also addressing the university climate change commitment. The program also will partner with local organizations; Shippensburg Produce and Outreach (SPO), townships, and community residents.
Dickinson Farm Alternative Energy Education, Dickinson College Farm, Cumberland County- $5,871
Dickinson Farm Alternative Energy Education- Creating an educational pavilion to showcase the work Dickinson is doing in improving environmental quality and agricultural viability through a waste-to-energy system. Manure from 150 dairy cattle will be combined in an anaerobic digester with 1-2 tons per day of food waste from Dickinson College, Project SHARE food bank, Molly Pitcher Brewing Company, Carlisle schools and other local sources. This project will also generate 200-300,000 kWh per year of renewable electricity valued at ~$20,000, increasing farm profitability while reducing air pollution and landfill loading.
Support preservation of this historic community building through sealing of the brick exterior. The project preserves a significant historic and cultural resource in Dillsburg, and also ensures its continued use as a community center for continued arts, recreational, historic, and cultural programming.
Design, build, and install large interpretive signs with graphics and information about rhyolite, Native American quarrying activity, and workshop sites in the Carbaugh Run Natural Area of Michaux State Forest. The interpretive signs are part of a continuing effort by DCNR and the Friends of Michaux State Forest to manage and preserve threatened cultural resources in Michaux.
Design and engineering of footbridge; including Department of Environmental Protection Joint Permitting application for waterway obstruction. Establishment of signage and park amenities to improve visitor safety and experience of the trail. Includes partnerships with PA FBC and local township.
Phillaman Run Stream Restoration Project, Greene Township, Franklin County- $14,300
Design and permitting of best management project to restore and stabilize approximately 2,000 feet of actively eroding stream (sediment load reduction of ~89,760 pounds – 21% of township’s MS4 required sediment load reduction), a tributary of Phillaman Run and Conococheague Creek (both designated by DEP as Cold Water Fishes).
Pathogen Testing of Adams County Waters Project – support for sampling, testing, and analyzing results. Sharing of results with public (online, newspaper, newsletters), Adams County Conservation District, PA DE.
Videos of each of these projects are linked in their description and available on the South Mountain Partnership’s YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEtQwCJIPtlf_SqvclE4B-g .