Boiling Springs, PA (December 14, 2010) – The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has been awarded additional grant funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for local communities to preserve and promote their natural and cultural assets which provide economic benefits. This grant will help fund the South Mountain Mini-Grant Program, administered through the South Mountain Partnership.
The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program has been developed and overseen by ATC since 2009 to encourage economic development among local communities by funding projects to build trails, conduct outdoor festivals, and develop promotional guides for local agriculture and forest products. $100,000 in grants was awarded since 2009 with over $184,708 in grantee’s match.
In 2011 $150,000 in grants will be available with a required 1:1 match. The next grant application will be available in January 2011 and applications will be due July 30, 2011. ATC and DCNR encourage any municipality, non-profit, or learning institution to begin considering projects that may fit the grant criteria. A sample application and frequently asked questions are available on the Partnership website at southmountaincli.blogspot.com.
“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s grant program emphasizes multi-partner regional collaborations and in result we have seen incredible long term relationships develop. It is a major goal of the South Mountain Partnership to foster these strong partnerships that steward and promote our assets”, stated Kim Williams, Landscape Protection Associate of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
ATC and DCNR lead the South Mountain Partnership, an alliance of the private and public sector, non-profits, universities, and local citizens in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and Northern York Counties. The Partnership identifies its key role as being a regional facilitator and leader in projects that preserve and promote the natural and cultural assets of the region. ATC was chosen to be the lead of the Partnership because of its local roots and extensive conservation work across Pennsylvania and especially in Central Pennsylvania.
Funds come from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership’s Program and come from both the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener 1) and the Growing Greener Bond Fund (growing Greener 2), and several federal funding sources.
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. ###
