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Climber's Run Stream Restoration Preserves "Magic" of Retreat Center
The owners of the House at Climber’s Run, a retreat center and rental space, used to dread heavy rain because it meant that the stream on their property would flood, causing significant land erosion, safety concerns, and increased pollution. Because the southern Lancaster County property is in a valley, the water could rise four- to five-feet in a single rainfall. The owners recall watching their land “eaten away” during these events.
But in summer 2019, Donegal Trout Unlimited (DTU) offered a solution – stream restoration and riparian buffer plantings to strengthen the streambanks, reduce erosion, and provide a lush forested area with clean water for their guests. DTU came to the Partners with the idea for the stream restoration and riparian buffer planting along Climber’s Run. This project not only reduces streambank erosion, but connects four contiguous projects along the stream in southern Lancaster County. With dollars from the Lancaster County Community Foundation’s Clean Water Fund, the Partners were able to grant DTU enough support to restore 1,530 linear feet of stream and plant 2.45 acres of riparian buffers.
Now guests, and in particular the families with children, who stay at the House at Climber's Run can enjoy a lush, green space that is safe to be in the water and perfect to reconnect with nature. And the property owners are comforted that the streambanks will remain in place so they can continue to share “the magic that is living in the country” with their guests.
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If you need dollars for a clean water project, consider applying to the Lancaster County Community Foundation’s Clean Water Fund.
We’re offering more opportunities this year to increase the county’s work towards clean and clear water by 2040! Tune into the Community Foundation’s Grants and Opportunities information session on March 3 at 3 p.m. to learn more about the Clean Water Fund grant opportunities.
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Annual Tree Seedling Sale – Happening Now!
Need tree seedlings? Lancaster County Conservation District’s 47th Annual Tree Seedling Sale is happening now! All trees and perennials offered in this fundraiser must be pre-ordered with a postmark Monday, March 1, 2021. Orders will be ready for pick up during a one day drive-thru distribution on April 15, 2021 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster.
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MS4 Lunch & Learns for 2021 progress
Inspired by the MS4orum, the Stormwater Action Team and the Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium are excited to provide more resources and new ideas virtually this February through April on select Thursdays at 12. Topics range from the CAP funding application process, permitting, perspectives from property owners on stormwater BMP installment, and drainage system products. Professional development hours can be claimed from attending.
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Snowfall is recharging our groundwater
With three large snowfalls in the past month, we may be getting sick of the white stuff. But when snow melts into the ground, it replenishes our groundwater and stream water resources. Groundwater aquifers that are recharged in the spring by melting snow provide water supply to wells and streams with a steady source of cool groundwater during the long, hot summer. Without this spring recharge, stream levels may drop, and stream temperatures may increase to dangerous levels during the summer. Thank you, Penn State Extension, for the information!
Photo: Sandford Smith, Penn State
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Partner spotlight: Conestoga River Club
The Conestoga River Club (CRC) has been named the Conestoga Water Trail local manager. What does that mean? It means that the CRC will be busy improving and increasing access points along the water trail, access maintenance, conservation education and programs, mapping and signage, and trail safety and navigability. The CRC stands ready to make the Conestoga river clean, healthy, and accessible to all, now and in the future. If you’d like to get involved, visit https://conestogariverclub.org.
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Sign up to become a partner organization!
Remember to sign up to become a partner organization! To strengthen and increase collaboration, we created an official partner organization sign up form which allows us to more intentionally manage our partnerships.
Even if you’re listed on the website as a partner organization, you need to fill out the form. It only takes a few minutes! Reply to this email with questions or reactions for Emily.
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Grant Opportunities
Grants and Opportunities information session, Lancaster County Community Foundation
March 3 at 3 p.m. // Virtual
Join the Community Foundation (digitally) to find out about 2021 grant opportunities, as well as the other ways to connect and partner with local organizations.
2021 Conservation Innovation Grants, NRCS
Proposal due March 15
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants program. It is anticipated that a total of up to $225,000 will be available to fund multiple one- to three-year projects. Single projects may be eligible to receive $5,000 to $75,000 in funding.
Small Watershed Grant, NFWF
Proposal due April 22 by 11:59 p.m.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, is now soliciting full proposals for the 2021 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants program.
Community Conservation Partnerships Program, DCNR
Proposals due April 14
The 2021 DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grant round is open until April 14. C2P2 grants are awarded to municipalities and nonprofit organizations for recreation, park and conservation projects that include the rehabilitation and new development of parks and recreation facilities; land acquisition for these purposes; and planning for parks and recreation facilities.
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Resources
Job Opportunities at the Lancaster Conservancy
The Lancaster Conservancy’s mission is to provide wild and forested lands and clean waterways for our community, forever. The Conservancy has been preserving land in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, since 1969 and more recently along the Susquehanna River corridor in York County, Pennsylvania as well. Learn more about the four job opportunities currently available!
How to Identify Trees and Shrubs, Nature and Culture Institute
February 25, starting at 7 p.m. // Virtual
Ever wondered what kind of tree you were standing under? Learn how to identify local trees and shrubs with Ryan Davis, PA Forest Projects Coordinator for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Email info@natureandcultureinstitute.org to register.
2021 All-Bay Agriculture Network Forum
Multiple events between February 3 to March 3 // Virtual
The forum hosted by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation brings together NGO, local, state, and federal ag conservation leaders and partners to share best practices, network together, discuss collaborative implementation strategies and opportunities for acceleration and scaling up nutrient and sediment load reductions.
2021 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit, DCNR
March 10-11 // Virtual
DCNR is partnering with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy once again to host the 2021 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit virtually. All riparian buffer professionals, decision-makers, and volunteers are encouraged to join! Attendees will enjoy sessions on the latest forest buffer science, outreach and implementation strategies, funding options, and more. Registration will be $15 for the virtual event.
Spring Water Sampling Class, Conestoga River Club
March 14 from 11 - 2 p.m. // In-person event
Join the Conestoga River Club for a three-hour class to learn about water sample testing and it’s importance for improving the Conestoga River’s water quality. For more information, contact Todd Roy (conestoga.river.club@gmail.com).
Native Bees 101, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
March 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m. // Virtual
Did you know there are over 400 different native bee species within Pennsylvania that help pollinate all of our flowering plants? Join Rebecca Lauver, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps Member, to learn more native bee facts like this!
A Imperative Task at Hand: Building Inclusive Organizational Cultures
March 24 at 2:00 p.m. // Virtual
An organization’s culture plays a huge role in shifting the needle toward diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments. An inclusive, positive workplace culture hears and promotes all voices and creates a sense of belonging, allowing employees to thrive.
WeConservePA Conference
March 24–25 (Early bird registration until February 24) // Virtual
Formerly known as the Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference, the WeConservePA Conference is Pennsylvania’s premier networking, training, and inspirational event for staff and volunteers of conservation groups. Registration includes access to over 25 hours of programming across 1.5 days.
Digging In: Cleaner Streams with Cows, Lancaster Farmland Trust
April 28 from 12 - 12:45 p.m. // Virtual
Local farmers are taking action to improve local stream quality, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Join the Lancaster Farmland Trust to drive down some farm lanes to find out what conservation looks like on working farms and hear directly from farmers in your community.
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The Lancaster Clean Water Partners is a countywide, collaborative partnership of diverse partner organizations that come together with a shared vision of clean and clear Lancaster waterways by 2040.
Learn more at www.lancastercleanwaterpartners.com.
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