Boiling Springs, PA (February 17, 2011) – The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), working in partnership with federal, state and local partners, has recently protected 840 acres of forested land on South Mountain in Cumberland County (known as the White Rocks). The White Rocks project is one of the early catalyst to the formation of the South Mountain Partnership and is an exciting accomplishment for all partners involved.
The parcels will be acquired by the U.S. federal government, National Park Service for permanent protection of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The purchase will protect open space and wildlife habitat, enhance the Appalachian Trail experience and provide protection to critical groundwater recharge areas that feed residential use in the valley and the cold water fishery of the Yellow Breeches Creek. Total project cost is $3.2 million.
“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is fortunate to have built a strong partnership of committed private conservation organizations and public agencies to help with this effort. Open space protection projects of this magnitude and significance are rare in this rapidly developing region. We are grateful to the current owners who see the value of public ownership and permanent protection,” stated Karen Lutz, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Funding for this land conservation project came from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), and local private contributions.
About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information please visit www.appalachiantrail.org.
Contact:
Javier Folgar
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Tel. 304.535.6331 x117
Fax. 304.535.2667
Email: jfolgar@appalachiantrail.org
Web: www.appalachiantrail.org
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Cumberland County Historical Society
21 North Pitt Street Carlisle, PA
12:15 p.m., brown bag lunch, bring your lunch and coffee and cookies provided
Speaker: Kimberly Williams, South Mountain Partnership Co-Lead and Landscape Protection Coordinator, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The South Mountain Region has a complex and rich story worth telling and preserving. South Mountain of Central Pennsylvania holds in its forested slopes layers of history. It holds stories and remnants which are key ingredients to the region’s sense of place. Discover overlapping themes of stories and remnants and how they are RELEVANT TODAY, including:
Natural wealth. The mountain’s natural wealth has a direct connection to the surrounding valley’s agricultural abundance and early prospering industries. Today we are learning new ways to profit from our wealth while conserving for future generations.
Refuge. The mountain served as a place of refuge to those fleeing from slavery on the Underground Railroad and those fleeing poor health at the South Mountain Restoration Center. Today, the mountain serves as a refuge of recreation that serves millions with major icons like the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and one of the largest intact forests near D.C. and Baltimore.
Conflict. Human conflict in the past several hundred years has direct tie to the mountain like the Civil War’s Battle of Monterrey Pass and the housing of a WWII Prisoner of War Camp. Today conflict over the preservation of our heritage and natural resources provides chances for new innovative ways to resolve conflict and increase collaboration.
Learn how these themes are relevant today, as they tie in directly into our sense of place and economic progress. Learn what the South Mountain Partnership, a unified group of private citizens, business, not for profit organizations and governmental officials, is doing to promote and preserve our rich heritage.
For more info on the Speakers Series, visit:www.southmountainspeakers.blogspot.com
This event is in partnership with the Cumberland County Historical Society. To learn more about their ongoing program, click here.
