*Drumroll* Clean Water Fund special grant round opening on January 4, 2022
Governor Tom Wolf announced last week that Lancaster County was awarded $3,583,216 out of $17.4 million available funds for the coordination and implementation of the Countywide Action Plan (CAP) and verification of BMPs. Because of this, the Partners is opening a special grant round of the Clean Water Fund to allocate implementation dollars.
The Clean Water Implementation Large Grant application will be opening January 4. Approximately $1.7 million is available to fund projects that achieve our CAP goals (click to read the 2021 revised plan) such as agricultural, stormwater, and stream best management practices. Applications are due February 18 with award announcements expected the week of April 4. All grant contracts will span from the day of application approval to March 1, 2023. No extensions are possible.
You can prepare to submit your application by registering for our info session, to be held on January 5 at 1 p.m., and reviewing the materials available on our website on the Lancaster Clean Water Fund page.
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Combining Passions by Megan Blackmon
Many of you have read my professional bio – in short, it’s a combination of conservation and water quality work along with grant writing and administration. I spent the last seven years working as the grant administrator for the City of Lancaster.
I’m originally from eastern North Carolina – Rocky Mount, to be specific. The Tar River flows through the town and the name changes downstream to the Pamlico River before it becomes the Pamlico Sound. My best childhood memories are from time on the Pamlico – either splashing around and swimming, or boating near Little Washington.
Keep reading to learn how Megan’s role with the Partners is combining her passion for the environment and grant administration.
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Nutrient Pollution Trending Downward
Recent trends in water quality data show nutrient levels are decreasing in the Susquehanna River. The USGS specifically notes both nitrogen and phosphorus levels are trending down, which is good news for us locally as well as the Chesapeake Bay!
Photo by Will Parson, Chesapeake Bay Program.
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RCPP applications due December 31
Applications for agricultural BMPs through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): Lancaster’s Common Agenda for Clean Water are due December 31, 2021 to NRCS. Planned practices across the county are eligible. Tier 1 and Tier 2 catchment areas within the Conestoga, Pequea, Octoraro, and Chiques watersheds are prioritized. Application forms can be found here (instructions available here). Questions related to the application can be directed to Heather Grove at heather.grove@usda.gov.
The next deadline is February 28th, 2022.
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Fueling the fire!
At the November Partners meeting, several partner organizations, stakeholders, and supporters met and learned about how Lancaster is fueling the fire for clean water implementation work! Attendees heard from Katie Ruth, Northern Outreach Coordinator for the Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. Carly Dean gave an update on the delisting strategy and attendees heard about on-the-ground progress in the priority catchment areas from the respective catchment leads. Partners shared success stories, including the recently awarded Lancaster Clean Water Fund Projects.
All resources have been combined into a PDF. View by clicking the button below.
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Inaugural Watershed Leadership Academy class graduates!
Congratulations to the first-ever graduating class of the Lancaster Watershed Leadership Academy! The Partners and Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences celebrated seven scholars that completed the program along side family, friends, and participating speakers. We wish the scholars all the best as they pursue their passions and contribute to water quality improvements across the county.
2023 Academy class applications are open! Learn more about the program and its inaugural scholars on the Partners website under the Get Involved tab.
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Join our team: Technical Director position open
The Partners is looking for a talented team-player with experience in on-the-ground restoration projects, permitting, and funding programs. If you enjoy working on a small, enthusiastic team, and collaborating with countless countywide partners, this position is right for you!
Learn more about the position on our website under the Job Opportunities tab or apply on Indeed.
And help us find the right person by sharing within your networks!
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Pennsylvania-Delaware Coordinator, Chesapeake Bay Landscaping Professional
Due December 22, 2021
CBLP is looking for a team member to help us expand the influence and build awareness of CBLP and CCLC among stakeholders in Pennsylvania and Delaware. This individual will develop relationships, participate in outreach, and assist in coordination of trainings. For the full job description click here. Please submit a resume and letter of interest to beth@cblpro.org.
Communications Manager, Lancaster County Community Foundation
Due January 7, 2022
The Lancaster County Community Foundation is seeking a full-time Communications Manager to craft internal and external communications for the Foundation, as well as manage the organization’s brand and events, working closely with the Executive Vice President. Apply here.
Finance and Development Assistant, Lancaster County Community Foundation
Due January 7, 2022
The Finance and Development Assistant’s primary responsibility is working closely with the Finance and Forever Lancaster (Development) teams to achieve the administrative goals of the departments. Apply here.
Watershed Project Coordinator, Agriculture and Environment Center at Penn State
The Agriculture and Environment Center seeks an energetic, motivated individual with experience and training in agricultural and natural resource sciences to join its team in the Lower Susquehanna Office as the Watershed Project Coordinator. The work involves extensive collaboration between Penn State researchers, Extension Educators, students and other staff and external partners working across the land and water interface. Apply here
Technical Director, Lancaster Clean Water Partners
The Partners is looking for a talented team-player with experience in on-the-ground restoration projects, permitting, and funding programs. If you enjoy working on a small, enthusiastic team, and collaborating with countless countywide partners, this position is right for you! Apply here.
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NEWS, RESOURCES, & OPPORTUNITIES
Lancaster Countywide Action Plan printed copies available
In September, the Partners completed revisions to Lancaster’s Countywide Action Plan, a strategic plan on how Lancaster will reduce 11.7 million lbs. of nitrogen and 524,000 lbs. of phosphorus entering Lancaster waterways by 2025. Printed copies of the CAP are now available at the Partners office at the Farm and Home Center. Contact Emily (esmedley@lancastercleanwaterpartners.com) if you’d like a copy!
Governor Wolf Announces $17.4 Million to Improve Local Water Quality for Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Office of Governor Wolf
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced last week that Lancaster County was awarded $3,583,216 for the coordination and implementation of the Countywide Action Plan (CAP) and verification of BMPs.
Lancaster Honors Ag Conservation Leader John Cox with George C. Delp Award, Lancaster Farming Congratulations to our Senior Advisor, John Cox, on this incredible achievement!
Faithful Green Leaders Training, Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake
Are you a person of faith interested in the environment? Ever wondered how you could engage your congregation in caring for the environment? Our green team training program teaches you how to establish and grow a green team at your congregation! Our next round of training will be on Sunday February 22nd, 27th, and March 6th between 4-5:30pm.
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA), The National Park Service
The National Park Service is accepting applications for technical assistance on locally-led conservation and outdoor recreation projects. The program will assist communities in evolving climate resiliency strategies, developing or restoring parks, conservation areas, rivers, and wildlife habitats, as well as creating outdoor recreation opportunities and programs that engage future generations in the outdoors. Contact the NPS to discuss your project before applying.
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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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