2024 Spring Partnership Meeting
9:00 – 11:45 am | Spring Partnership Meeting
1:00 – 5:30 pm | South Mountain Science Summit
Twice annually (Spring and Winter), the Partnership holds a Partnership-wide meeting for all partners and any interested individuals or organizations to come together and build relationships and collaborations around the promotion and preservation of our region’s landscape resources. This event includes breakfast snacks and coffee. These meetings are a chance to:
➔ Connect or reconnect with the Partnership, learning more about initiatives and on-going projects
➔ Build and strengthen our network of people and organizations working throughout the region
➔ Spark conversation and collaboration across political and sectorial boundaries
➔ Engage 50+ partners in on-going work throughout the region
➔ Involve partners in defining the direction of the Partnership
The same afternoon we are excited to host our third South Mountain Science Summit. The summit will feature presentations of important research conducted here in the South Mountain Landscape. This is also intended to be a gathering where students, faculty, land managers, planners, and land use professionals can meet, network, and envision the future of science and research in South Mountain.
About the Event
Our Spring Partnership Meeting will include a welcome and update from our host Cumberland County. Stay tuned for updates on their Comprehensive Plan update and specifically their Land Partnerships Plan. Other topics of interest include hearing an update on the Highlands Conservation Act and what new boundaries may mean for our region. We will also launch our first State of the Region implementation project during this meeting and hear from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy on their planned update of the Natural Heritage Inventory (including surveys for protected plants and animals) in our four-county area!
Over lunch enjoy a walk on the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail or visit Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and sign up for a paid lunch, or bring a bagged lunch to enjoy. Everyone is welcome to participate in the lunch regardless of which events you are attending.
The South Mountain Science Summit will feature a welcome from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and then will dive into research projects from students and land managers in the region. We will end with a discussion on research priorities for the region. Finally, we will have a networking reception following the event to connect student researchers, organizations, and land managers.
Event Details
DATE:
|
Friday, April 12, 2024
|
TIME:
|
9:00 am – 11:45 am EDT
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Science Summit
|
LOCATION:
|
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Dr.
Stewart Hall
Shippensburg, PA 17257
(detailed parking instructions will be sent before the event) |
COSTS:
|
SMP Spring Meeting – $7.00
Premium Boxed Lunch (optional) – $9.00
South Mountain Science Summit – $0.00 |
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
|
Friday, April 5, 2024 or until 100 person registrant cap has been reached |
Agenda
|
|
SPRING MEETING
|
8:15 AM
|
BREAKFAST SNACKS AND NETWORKING
|
9:00 AM
|
PROGRAM WELCOME |
9:35 AM
|
NATIONAL HERTIGAGE INVENTORY UPDATE PROCESS AND FEEDBACK
What is the Natural Heritage Inventory and how does it impact the South Mountain Region? What does a four-county data update entail? Learn this and more from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
– Speakers: Denise Watts and Rachel Good, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy |
10:05 AM
|
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLANNING UPDATE
Cumberland County is updating its Comprehensive Plan & Land Partnerships Plan, learn what themes have emerged from this process and where the county is headed over the next ten years.
– Speakers: Stephanie Williams and Elizabeth Grant, Cumberland County Planning |
10:35 AM
|
BREAK |
10:45 AM
|
HIGHLANDS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY Q&A
Learn about the Highlands Conservation Act and Grant Program from state coordinator Dan Pierce.
– Speaker: Dan Pierce, DCNR |
11:05 AM
|
STATE OF THE REGION IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITY
Help shape the implementation plan of the Partnership’s State of the Region Project by participating in this interactive session. |
|
|
LUNCH
|
11:45 AM
|
LUNCH AND EXPLORE
Lunch Served, purchase lunch in advance or bring a bagged lunch + explore Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, Fashion Archive, Little Red Schoolhouse |
|
|
SCIENCE SUMMIT
|
12:00 PM
|
REGISTRATION OPENS |
1:00 PM
|
PROGRAM WELCOME
Hear from the Department for Conservation and Natural Resources, Event Sponsors, and the South Mountain Partnership |
1:30 PM
|
SESSION 1
Hear from three specific research projects happening in the South Mountain.
Investigation into the Irishtown Gap Hollow Settlement
– Speaker: Amanda Reshelle Telep, IUP
The Natural Water Chemistry of Cumberland Valley Springs
– Speaker: Dr. Tom Feeney, Shippensburg University
Southern Michaux Trail Assessment, Shippensburg Center for Land Use and Sustainability
– Speaker: Dr Russell Hedberg |
2:30 PM
|
BREAK AND SNACKS AVAILABLE |
3:00 PM
|
SESSION 2
Hear from three specific research projects happening in the South Mountain. More details to come on presentations.
Study for the presence of coliform bacteria in two South Mountain-originating roadside springs
– Speaker: Yara Amleh, Pennsylvania State University
Pollen Analysis & Radiocarbon Dating of a Vernal Pool on South Mountain
– Speaker: Emily Hegedus, Shippensburg University
Lithic and Radiocarbon Analysis of the Green Cabin Quarry Site (36AD0569), South Mountain, Pennsylvania
– Speakers: Kristopher Montgomery, IUP, Invited |
4:00-4:30 PM
|
CLOSING DISCUSSION |
4:30-5:30 PM
|
NETWORKING RESEARCH RECEPTION
Join researchers and attendees for an engaging opportunity for good food and conversation! |
Registration for this event is now closed.
