Meeting Wrap Up and Takeaways

Thank you for joining us at the 2025 Spring Partnership Meeting and the Regional Trail Coalition Kick-Off! It was wonderful to spend the day with you, and we dodged the rain and thunderstorms! Thank you for bringing your energy, great feedback, and community spirit to our meeting. 

Thank you again to our sponsors who helped support delicious snacks and our venue: Franklin County Visitors Bureau, and the Penn National Community.  I also want to acknowledge the hard work of the SMP Program Committee to plan the day, and my fellow staff members. 

A couple of takeaways from our Speakers:

• We wanted to thank Dr. Claire Jantz, Deputy Secretary, Conservation and Technical Services of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for both welcoming us all to the meeting, but also for sharing updates around DNCR’s vision for the Michaux Visitors Center. We are so thankful for DCNR’s continued support for our region. 
• A lot is happening in Adams County! We heard from the county that they are embarking on a study of the economic impact of the Fruit Belt and recently reached a new farmland preservation goal. Commissioner Phiel welcomed attendees and Commissioner Qually is participating in the Chesapeake Bay Commission and we will share a public comment opportunity when it is live this summer. Destination Gettysburg is planning a big America250PA roll out for next year, and the Land Conservancy of Adams County is rocking land preservation deals across the county and also shared an invite to check out their Trail at Boyer. 
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy celebrated its 100th birthday with a new brand and vision for the future. 
• SMP Flex Grants and Research Grants are both open with submission deadlines in June. 
• SMP Research Grants: Shippensburg University and Grace Coffman are researching air quality around Warehouse Development- we look forward to sharing these results. 
• DCNR is planning a flagship visitors center to welcome visitors to the Michaux State Forest and provide education, interpretation, and stewardship opportunities. SMP is gathering feedback about what our community may want to see in this space. If you didn’t get a chance to fill out our feedback sheet in person, contact me for a form. 
• Michaux State Forest is also finalizing a trail system at Mountain Creek and beginning a similar trail analysis in the Southern Michaux.

The Regional Trail Coalition Kick-off meeting was a lively opportunity to gather feedback from you on our first Scope of Work for studying the feasibility of a regional trail coalition! We are working on compiling this feedback and will present it to our Leadership Committee in June. 

Community Media filmed the event, watch their recording here: Website: https://www.communitymedia.net/news/community/south-mountain-partnership-2025-spring-partnership-meeting/

9:00 – 11:30 am Spring Partnership Meeting &  12:00 – 1:45 pm Regional Trail Coalition

Twice annually, the Partnership holds a meeting in which all partners and interested parties are invited to come together and build relationships and collaborations across the region. We are excited to gather in Adams County for this two-part meeting. The events will be held under a pavilion, so please dress appropriately for the weather. We will have snacks and coffee available.

Our Spring Meeting and Regional Trail Coalition Meeting are both being held on May 16; read on to learn more and register for one or both.

Sponsored in part by:

About the Event

Part 1: Spring Partnership Meeting 9:00-11:30 AM

Our hallmark Spring Partnership meeting digs into updates from Adams County. Hear from the County Planning Department, as well as key county representatives, on the news and initiatives affecting our region. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy(with cake!), hear about SMP’s next steps on the State of the Region, and learn about groundbreaking research from our South Mountain Research Corps. Finally, Michaux State Forest will share updates on their top priority projects.

Our meeting will also include time for your organizational updates. This meeting is packed with key opportunities such as;
– 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
– Hear from local and state officials and spark conversation and collaboration across political and sectoral boundaries
– Engage 50+ partners in on-going work throughout the region
– Involve partners in defining the direction of the Partnership

If you would like to stay for an optional lunch, there is an opportunity to pre-order a Taco Lunch for $12, or we welcome you to bring a bagged lunch from home.

Part 2: Regional Trail Coalition 12:00-1:45 PM

Are you a passionate advocate for connecting communities to one another and the ability to spend time outside? If so, join the SMP Regional Trail Coalition! Are you knowledgeable about multi-use pedestrian trails or trail planning and construction? The Coalition is for you, too!

During this meeting, we will kick-off efforts that explore building a Regional Trail Coalition in the South Mountain region of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties. We will facilitate individual and group activities where you can review the draft scope of work and contribute your knowledge and feedback. Your feedback will have a direct impact on the first year of the Coalition’s work.

Event Details

Agenda

Part 1: Spring Partnership Meeting 9:00-11:30 AM

9:00 | Welcome
Adams County Commissioners, SMP Staff, and Sponsors will welcome you to the meeting.

9:20 | Adams County Spotlight
Learn about current events in Adams County, including planned studies on the Fruit Industry, the County’s participation in the Chesapeake Bay Commission, America250, and more.
Speakers: Commissioner, Marty Karsteter Qually, Adams County Planning Commission, Carl Whitehill, Destination Gettysburg, Sarah Kipp, Land Conservancy of Adams County

10:00 | South Mountain Partnership Updates
What is the next step in the State of the Region Implementation? Tune in to find out!
Speaker: Katie Hess, SMP

10:10 | ATC’s Centennial Anniversary
Happy 100th! ATC is excited to share its reflections on its first century, as well as a new brand and continued focus for the next century.
Speaker: Marian Orlousky, Appalachian Trail Conservancy

10:20 | Break

10:30 | SMP Research Corps Spotlight
Learn about new student research on Warehouses in the South Mountain Region

Speaker: Grace Coffman, Shippensburg University

10:40 | News from Michaux State Forest
Hear about the priority projects of the District Forest Team as they manage our key forested land.
Speaker: Roy Brubaker and Michelle Blevins, Michaux State Forest

11:10 | Round Robin
Bring your organizational updates to share

11:30 | Optional Lunch
Bring a bagged lunch from home, or reserve a Taco lunch for $12.

Part 2: Regional Trail Coalition 12:00-1:45 PM

12:00 | State of the Region Implementation: Regional Trail Coalition
Explore how we got here, and the big picture of what this Coalition could be over the next decade in the region.

12:45 | Regional Trail Coalition Scope of Work Review
Participate in individual and group feedback opportunities to help us shape the scope of work to hire a consultant and begin work of the coalition.

1:30 | Conclusion and Final Discussion