Join Us November 8th at Our Last 2012 Speakers Series - From Springs to Sprinklers

Want to learn more about water quality and quantity in our region?
Make sure you mark your calendars for November 8, 2012 Speakers Series!

 

 

 

News for Immediate Release Oct. 2, 2012

DCNR: Next South Mountain Lecture to Focus on Water Quality and Quantity in the Region

Harrisburg – The final lecture of the year in the South Mountain Speaker Series will focus on the challenges of conserving water quality and quantity in the region on Thursday, Nov. 8, in Memorial Auditorium at Shippensburg University.

“From trout fishing in our spring-fed creeks to the ice cold glass we enjoy on a hot summer's day, water is at the heart of our quality of life here in the South Mountain region,” said Allen Dieterich-Ward, an associate professor of history at Shippensburg University and the chair of the South Mountain Partnership committee on the speaker series. “Over the years, new demands on ground and surface water have created challenges for conserving these important resources.”

 

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception featuring displays by local watershed and advocacy groups.

At 7 p.m., Pat Bowling, a hydrologist with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, will describe water challenges and then join a panel of local experts to discuss ways to protect our water supply for future generations.

The panel will include Dr. Christopher Woltemade, a professor in Shippensburg’s Department of Geography/Earth Science, and Michael Christopher, manager of Washington Township, Franklin County.
 

This event is sponsored by the Adams, Cumberland and Franklin county conservation districts; Shippensburg University; DCNR; and the South Mountain Partnership.

This is the third year for the South Mountain Speakers Series, envisioned as a revival of the talks given by Joseph Rothrock in the late 19^th century as part of his work to preserve and restore Pennsylvania’s forests and natural landscape. The series is anticipated to return in 2013.

Sparked by DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiative, the South Mountain Partnership is an effort to engage communities, local partners, state agencies and funding opportunities to conserve high-quality natural and cultural resources while enhancing the region’s economic viability.

 

For more information about the speaker series, visit http://southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com/ or call the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at 717-258-5771.

Some of the earlier lectures in the speaker series can now be found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthMtnSpeakers.

Media contact: Christina Novak, 717-772-9101

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Click here to download your copy of the press release.



Go Local for Health: September 18th, 2012

Join Us at Go Local for Health on September 18th, 2012

 

Join us at the Gettysburg Hotel for the Go Local for Health Summit, featuring a South Mountain Speaker as the keynote event. As keynote speaker, Gina Calhoun of the Copeland Center will discuss the link of mental health to healthy eating, exercise, and access to the outdoors. Gina's keynote will commence at 8:30 a.m. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To register click here

Go Local for Health is a regional summit, to be held in September 18, 2012, uniting community leaders, stakeholders and the general public on the issues of affordable and accessible healthy eating and recreation opportunities in south central Pennsylvania. Rates of chronic diseases and related risk factors continue to increase locally and a comprehensive approach is needed to address them.

Go Local for Health attendees will be educated on current community efforts and national best practices, and participate in planning dialogues about promoting health regionally.

To learn more about the whole day summit, visit
http://golocal4health.blogspot.com/

News for Immediate Release: Keeping Fruit Healthy

News for Immediate Release
Sept. 4, 2012
DCNR: Next South Mountain Lecture to Focus on the Challenges of Keeping Fruit Healthy

 

Harrisburg – Efforts to keep fruit healthy in the orchards around the southcentral region will be the topic of the next lecture in the South Mountain Speakers Series on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Penn State University Fruit Research and Extension Center at 290 University Drive, Biglerville, Adams County.

 

At 1 p.m., David Biddinger, biocontrol specialist and researcher at the PSU Fruit Research and Extension Center, will discuss some of these challenges, followed by a tour of the FREC outdoor research facility.

“Fruit growers are constantly encountering new invasive species and diseases that threaten the health of the numerous orchards that dot the South Mountain area,” said Allen Dieterich-Ward, an associate professor of history at Shippensburg University and the chair of the South Mountain Partnership committee on the speaker series. “Participants will find out how scientists and growers combat these threats to the South Mountain fruit belt, and learn more about research programs during a tour of the center’s grounds.”

Head to the South Mountain Speakers Series Blog to read the full Press Release, here.

Or, download your own copy of the Press Release, here!

 

Keeping Fruit Healthy: Join Us on Saturday, September 8th, 2012!

 

What does it take to keep fruit healthy?

 

Fruit growers are constantly encountering new invasive species and disease that threaten the health of the numerous orchards that dot the South Mountain area. David Biddinger, biocontrol specialist and researcher at the PSU Fruit Research and Extension Center, will discuss some of these challenges. The brown marmorated stink bug has caused considerable crop losses for fruit growers, and populations of native pollinators have experienced massive declines.

 

Find out how scientists and growers combat these threats to the South Mountain fruit belt, and learn more about research programs during a tour of the Fruit Research and Extension Center’s grounds in Biglerville, Adams County.