CARLISLE – The South Mountain Partnership will host its 15th annual Power of the Partnership Celebration on Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center.
With more than 100 attendees expected, the event celebrates the people and groups protecting and promoting this wonderful place that we all call home – the farms and farmland, historic places, businesses vibrant communities and downtowns, water and air quality, wildlife and habitat, and parks, trails, and open spaces.
South Mountain landscape and regional speakers
The South Mountain landscape is a distinct area of south-central Pennsylvania that is nearly 500,000 acres and includes portions of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties. The Michaux State Forest and the Appalachian Trail run through the middle. The folds of forested uplands that forms the South Mountain ridgeline run in a generally north-south direction and reach elevations of nearly 2,000 feet. This ridgeline is the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a main geologic province of the Appalachian Mountains that originates in northern Georgia and ends here in south-central Pennsylvania.
In addition to hearing from the host, Cumberland County, guest speakers Julie Vastine and Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward will explore the impact of local advocacy and action in the community. Those working in the conservation fields are experiencing increased challenges that affirm the importance of working together locally to ensure our home is healthy and accessible for generations yet to come. Both of these speakers have a long history of making change in the South Mountain Region. Speakers will explore what residents, influencers and local officials should do in their community.
The event will also feature the awarding of the 2025 South Mountain Grant Program and the Spirit of the Mountain selection.
Registration
Registration includes an interactive networking hour, full local lunch and entrance to the celebration program: inspirational speaker(s), award of the Spirit of South Mountain, award of upcoming mini-grant and flex grant projects, and an opportunity to connect and celebrate with friends and colleagues, new and old.
Readers can register online at https://www.tfec.org/15th-annual-power-of-the-partnership-celebration/.
Seeking Volunteers
The Partnership is offering a limited number of complimentary tickets in exchange for volunteering at the event. Interested readers may fill out the registration form at https://www.tfec.org/15th-annual-power-of-the-partnership-celebration/.
Event Details Friday, Sept. 12
- Time 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location 500 Kings Gap Road, Carlisle, PA 17015
- Cost $25 per person, registration required
- Registration deadline is Sept. 1 or until the registration cap of 85 has been reached.
Agenda
- 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Networking and connection at the Cameron-Masland Mansion.
- 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. Lunch served. Locally sourced and seasonal.
- 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Welcome, Cumberland County Commissioners (invited), Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
- 1:10 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. Cumberland County Comprehensive Plan Introduction presented by Cumberland County Planning Department.
- 1:20 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. Keynote Panel Discussion: Creating Impact and Change at the Local Level (Speakers to be announced soon.)
- 2:20 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. South Mountain Grant Awards. Over $50,000 of grants funds will be awarded to 2025 projects.
- 2:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. Spirit of South Mountain Award will be awarded.
For more information about the South Mountain Partnership:
https://www.southmountainpartnership.org/who-we-are/.
For more information about Kings Gap Environmental Education Center:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/kings-gap-environmental-education-center.
