Ann C. Johnson Marketing & Communications

Transcription

1 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Lancaster, PA Permit NO. 243 Lancaster County Conservancy P.O. Box 716, n Lancaster. PA Phone n Fax: conserve@lancasterconservancy.org STAFF Ralph H. Goodno President & CEO rgoodno@lancasterconservancy.org Kathie Shirk Gonick, J.D., M.A. Director of Land Protection kgonick@lancasterconservancy.org Theresa W. Shuman Director of Development terri@lancasterconservancy.org Carl B. Martin Director of Stewardship & Education cmartin@lancasterconservancy.org Derek H. Reese Special Gifts Officer dreese@lancasterconservancy.org Ann C. Johnson Marketing & Communications ann@lancasterconservancy.org Nickolas P. Ebersole Community Outreach Associate & Land Protection Assistant nebersole@lancasterconservancy.org Thomas R. Stahl Forester tstahl@lancasterconservancy.org Betty A. Moyer Office Administrator bmoyer@lancasterconservancy.org Gerald J. Fulmer Bookkeeper BOARD OF DIRECTORS HENRY W. HUFFNAGLE, M.D. Chair ELIZABETH H. PHILLIPS-HERSHEY, PH.D Vice Chair Stewardship DONALD K. ROSEMAN Vice Chair Development JARED E. MILLER, CPA Treasurer JOHN W. KERLISH Secretary ERIC N. ATHEY, ESQ. WILLIAM K. EBEL, JR. DANIEL C. GOOD, M. D. ROBERT B. MARCHALONIS CURTIS MILLER RICHARD A. MINNICH ERIC A. NORDSTROM JEFFREY D. OWEN RICHARD M. RANKIN ANGELA M. SARGENT PATRICIA T. STOCKWELL SARAH N. VANDERSLICE TIMOTHY M. ZIMMERMAN LANDVIEW We encourage dissemination of this material Lancaster County Conservancy. Editor: Bette Phillips-Hershey Designer: Ann Johnson

2 THE MAGAZINE OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY CONSERVANCY SPRING 2011 LandView Saving natural places for people & wildlife acres and growing.

3 The weather outside seems to breathe a hint of spring. Afternoon sunlight lingers a little longer; the grass can be seen again after months of its white blanket and traces of green plant shoots reveal themselves; bird migrations are seen everywhere; song bird melodies faintly fill the air. We too play our part, shedding heavy coats as if lifting the very weight of winter off our backs. It is a good feeling as late winter always fills me with the anticipation of what lies ahead spring! For many, including myself, spring is a marker of time's passing. This invariably leads me to thoughts about what lies ahead for the Conservancy. This year will be another exceptionally busy one as we continue our efforts to preserve Lancaster County's natural places. As I contemplate our future, I am comforted by the fact that we have come a long way since Our successes are a testament to the continuum of dedicated board and staff, volunteers, and supporters who, throughout the years, have embraced the importance of our mission. We can never thank you enough. That being said, there is still work that remains and we must continue striving to ensure that Lancaster County's natural environment remains for future generations. We should demand this of ourselves for their sake. The mission of Lancaster County Conservancy is tosave and steward the ecosystems and landscapes upon which we depend for food, clean water and air, economic and public health, and the restoration of soul and spirit. Our 2008 Strategic Plan highlights some areas we have added to our work to increase our effective protection of critical natural resources while accommodating needed growth. These initiatives include: Building our ability to support local level decisions that protect key natural resources through the land development and management process Focusing increased stewardship and land protection in the Susquehanna River Corridor Providing technical and planning assistance to landowners who want to improve the stewardship of their properties Bringing nature and conservation into the suburban and urban areas of the county Developing urban nature preserve areas within walkable distance from a large segment of our population And on the organizational side, developing or acquiring facilities that strengthen our educational activities and our institutional sustainability. As you can see, our tasks lay before us and we relish the opportunity to serve our community. I encourage you to reach out to us with your thoughts and comments on how to better serve you. Join us on Facebook, or call us or sign up for our electronic newsletter. We want to hear from you. And as you take off your winter wear in preparation for spring, plan to get outside and experience the wonders of nature and all it has to offer. Take a friend or family member to one of our 28 public preserves. Walk around- breathe in spring and feel good knowing that you re helping to save nature. Ralph H. Goodno President & CEO 2

4 Let s Go Outside! WILDFLOWER WEEKEND Sunday, April 10, PM to 2:30 PM To celebrate Earth Day, the Lancaster County Conservancy will host a guided wildflower tour at 3 different Nature Preserves on Sunday, April 10, Knowledgeable guides will introduce you to the delicate beauty of early spring wildflowers, ferns and early flowering plants at the following locations: Bellaire Woods, Ferncliff, and Fishing Creek Nature Preserves. Each of these preserves offers an abundance of wildflowers from trillium, bloodroot, jack in the pulpit, and many others. Come experience the beauty of spring outside. For directions and printable maps to these preserves, visit our website at: Call , ext. 202 to register or ann@lancasterconservancy.org EAGLES/OSPREYS WALK & TALK Saturday, June 4, to 11 AM Walk along the Susquehanna River and learn about eagles, ospreys and falcons that nest in the Holtwood Preserve. Jim Smith, PPL naturalist, will lead a tour of nesting grounds and habitits. Meet at the Holtwood Environmental Preserve. 9 New Village Road, Holtwood, Pa For directions, please visit click on Holtwood then select Directions. 3

5 Conservation Landscape Initiative Did you know that the Susquehanna River corridor contains three major lakes created by hydroelectric dams (Lake Clarke, Lake Aldred, and the Conowingo Pool), three Nationally recognized recreation trails (Susquehanna River trail, Kelly's Run Pinnacle trail, and the Mason-Dixon trail), a National natural landmark (Fern Cliff nature preserve), Native American archaeological sites, an Audubon Society designated important bird area called the Conejohela flats, and over 2,000 acres of protected publicly accessible land? Many citizens are not aware of the heritage and opportunities that wind along the river corridor. They may not know that the Susquehanna River provides more than half of the freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay. For these reasons, the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources (DCNR) has designated the Lower Susquehanna River area for their Conservation Landscape Initiative (or CLI) program. A CLI is defined by DCNR as a place-based strategy for natural resource stewardship and advocacy. Along with DCNR, the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area, Lancaster County Conservancy, Lancaster County Planning Commission, and York County Planning Commission are coordinating efforts to enhance and revitalize the lower Susquehanna landscape. This team hopes to raise awareness, conserve land, steward cultural and natural resources, promote scenic values, support local businesses through place-based economic development, and, most notably, create opportunities for the public to be physically connected to the corridor. The CLI also hopes to revitalize the industrial and cultural history of river towns, such as Columbia, Wrightsville, Marietta, and Long Level, by providing forms of sustainable heritage tourism. River front parks, trails, and river access points are identified as areas of interest. The Manor Low Grade Rail Trail is being planned. Treasures along the Susquehanna River Trail will become more accessible for kayaks, canoes, and other paddle craft. In York County, the Zimmerman Center for Heritage and Development has undergone some rehabilitation and continues to be revitalized by the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area members. The Columbia to Wrightsville Bridge is under consideration for a lighting project. 4

6 Eagles, Ospreys, and wildlife abound along the Susquehanna River. The efforts of the Conservation Landscape Initiative will greatly expand their protected habitat. Perhaps the most exiting idea is the creation of a Northwest River Trail. This trail would link Bainbridge, through Marietta, to Columbia, then continue over the Veterans Memorial Bridge and connect with the Mason- Dixon trail in York County, traversing 50 miles of scenic and significant riverside land. The overarching goal of this endeavor is to support visitation to these designated areas through all of the above and to promote the towns, parks, cultural and natural points of interests as gateways to the Susquehanna River. 5

7 Together We Can Save "The Mountain" BREATHTAKING VISTAS, SOFT FOOTFALLS ON A SECLUDED TRAIL, THE SINGULAR SOLITUDE FOUND FROM A DAY SPENT IN THE FOREST... THESE EXPERIENCES AWAIT YOU CLOSE TO HOME AT THE WELSH MOUNTAIN NATURE PRESERVE, NESTLED WITHIN THE PENNSYLVANIA HIGHLANDS JUST EAST OF NEW HOLLAND. Because of your support, more than $4.36 million has already been raised for the acquisition of Phases 1 and 2 of the Welsh Mountain Preserve. Individuals, municipalities, service clubs, outdoor organizations, businesses, solid waste authorities, sportsmen's groups, foundations, the State of Pennsylvania and Lancaster County have all contributed and worked hard for more than three years to make the completed Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve a reality. But Phase 3 of the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve, the largest and most pristine of the three tracts, has yet to be protected. We still need to raise $600,000 to purchase the final 404 acres of The Mountain. This final phase is under agreement with an extended closing date of May 16, We are almost there. We share the beautiful view and the vision to protect The Mountain, to enjoy it now and to keep it for future generations. Follow the progress of the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve Campaign, by visiting: Please contact Terri Shuman at tshuman@lancasterconservancy.org or ext. 210 if you would like to talk about this project. Thank you. A special thank you to KPMG, a Conservancy Green Team member. To find out more information about Green Teams, contact Derek Reese at dreese@lancasterconservancy.org 6

8 COME TO THE LANCASTER COUNTY FLOWER SHOW Spring! You can see it in the greening hillsides. You can hear it in the birdsong. You can feel it in the warming air. There's no better time for the 2nd annual Lancaster County Flower Show, being held April 14th - 16th at the New Holland Recreation Center, 123 Shirk Road in New Holland. You'll be able to enjoy glorious floral displays, take a bus tour to the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve, listen to stimulating speakers and great music, get ideas for your home gardening projects, sample delectable foods, or just stroll and browse in the delightful "Bloom Boutique". The show was created to bring a sophisticated yet accessible flower and garden experience to the people of Lancaster County. Last year's show was a huge success, with more than 3,400 attendees, 42 vendors, colorful floral competitions, expert lectures and beautiful landscape displays. Proceeds from this year's show, "Windows to the World", will benefit the Conservancy and our community partner the New Holland Recreation Center. For tickets and more information call the New Holland Recreation Center at or Lancaster County Conservancy at

9 One Down, Two More to Go PROTECTING THE RIVER HILLS ON DECEMBER 31, 2010, THE LANCASTER COUNTY CONSERVANCY CLOSED ON THE FIRST OF THREE PHASES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA POWER AND LIGHT (PPL) LAND ACQUISITION PROJECT. The result is the permanent protection of acres along the Susquehanna River in Manor and Martic townships. This purchase was made possible through the support of The Conservation Fund, the Lancaster County Natural Lands Preservation Fund, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and PPL. Let this serve as a special thank you to them. For years these organizations worked together to create unique recreational opportunities in the river hills. Today, a 50-mile public trail loop in the spectacular landscape along the Susquehanna River is being planned and will link local historic river towns. The public will have opportunities to learn about the history and heritage surrounding the river. The protection of these lands will increase the sustainability of Lancaster County's natural lands and wildlife. "When we are able to protect large areas of adjacent forests and field habitats, we are protecting habitat that supports healthier, more varied populations of species," states Kathie Gonick, the Conservancy's Director of Land Protection. In research for the PPL project, the Conservancy performed a Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index (PNDI) search which identified species of interest. Safe Harbor in Manor Township is the habitat of endangered and fragile species such as the putty root, Clinton's shield fern, and the Harbinger-of-spring. In Holtwood, Martic Township, species such as the arrow feather and the Appalachian Gametophyte Fern were identified. Now protected, these threatened species will survive and thrive. The Conservancy's mission is to save and steward ecosystems. By protecting these key habitat areas, we impact the sustainability level, diversity, and longterm productivity levels of plants and wildlife so that they thrive and repopulate the forest. 8

10 THE CONSERVANCY USES THE NATURAL RESOURCE FEATURES OF THE LAND TO DETERMINE USE AND MANAGEMENT. From the inception of the Lancaster County Conservancy, it has been our goal to keep our preserves open and accessible for Passive recreation. We want our properties to be havens throughout the county where visitors can get outside and reconnect with nature. Ensuring that our preserves are ideal places for both wildlife and people is a delicate balancing act that we tackle every day, and some of our best tools in our efforts are carefully crafted and implemented preserve management plans. The recently acquired PPL land is no exception. Long before the Conservancy closed on the 324-acre tract of the PPL Phase 1 lands, questions were being raised about the expected use, access, management and other aspects of what we generally refer to as "stewardship" of a preserve. While some very general stewardship assumptions can be made by a brief visit and hike through a property, most of the planning can only take place after a detailed natural resource inventory and assessment is complete. We conduct these inventories as part of the planning process not only to learn what we have but also what might require special protection or further study. Usually we find unique natural, historical, and geological features in these inventories that offer direction on where to and where not to design access or hiking trails, the compatibility of the site for certain uses/activities, as well as a myriad of "issues" we often inherit from previous owners. We learn from these inventories what condition/health the natural aspects of the preserve are in and what prescriptions should be made to increase the conservation value of the land. Very often we find opportunities to greatly enhance a preserve's species composition and natural diversity through the application of different stewardship practices - known as Best Management Practices, or BMP's. These inventories and assessments can take weeks and sometimes months depending on the size of a property or the nature of the biology found within. Some of the more unique species we are working to protect are only present at certain times of the year and thus require numerous visits back to the same area before they are identified. For the PPL lands, these concepts are never more applicable. The Conservancy has been conducting inventories since last summer on these land and is continuing to do so throughout the spring and early summer. Our efforts in the field have already identified numerous opportunities to enhance access and recreational opportunities. We expect to work with local partners to connect to existing trail networks within the CLI and find ways to plan for new trails systems that would bridge gaps between existing networks. This concept of listening to the land and observing - letting the land direct the extent to which it is used/developed and how it is managed - is certainly nothing new. It is a concept we have been adhering too since we first started protecting land in Lancaster County. It is the best way to strike that careful balance of protecting the land for wildlife and future generations, and allowing the public to reap the many benefits of our woodlands today. Stewardship plans are underway to create new trails for the public to enjoy these beautiful new properties. 9

11 Tucquan Society SAVING NATURE AS PART OF YOUR LEGACY If you choose to become a member of the Tucquan Society with a planned gift to the Conservancy, your name will be included annually in The Tucquan Society Honor Roll of Members. While helping to save and steward Lancaster County's natural heritage into the future, you may also enjoy personal benefits, such as immediate tax savings or reduction of assets subject to estate taxes. If you have already made plans that include the Conservancy but have not yet shared your intentions with us, we encourage you to contact us so that we may add your name to our growing list of Tucquan Society Members. THANK YOU! 10 Give. Receive. Receive. Receive. CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY OPTION AVAILABLE A new planned giving option is now available to interested Conservancy supporters. Through our partnership with the Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF), the Conservancy is now able to offer the Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). Establishing a CGA is a way to provide you with an income source that will last for the rest of your lifetime and support the Conservancy. HERE'S HOW IT WORKS: You give a gift of cash or appreciated securities to the Community Foundation*. Our contract with you combines immediate annuity payments with a deferred charitable gift. The contract is backed by the general assets of our partner, the Community Foundation, a trusted steward of community assets since You (or you and another) receive a fixed income stream, regardless of market conditions.** Upon termination of the CGA, the remaining assets are then gifted to the Conservancy to support its mission. You automatically become a member of the Conservancy Tucquan Society by establishing a CGA. The Tucquan Society planned giving program was created in 2006 and inspired by the crown jewel of our nature preserves, Tucquan Glen. Tucquan is an Indian word for "winding water". Just as Tucquan Creek winds through the River Hills, your support helps make possible the network of nature preserves that wind throughout Lancaster County and enrich our lives. If you would like to learn more about the Charitable Gift Annuity option for planned giving, please contact Terri Shuman, Director of Development at ext. 210 or tshuman@lancasterconservancy.org. *You must be at least 60 years of age to establish a CGA. Minimum amount to establish a CGA is $10,000. **All rates determined by the American Council on Charitable Girt Annuities

12 Join us at Downpatrick Farm for our Annual Membership Picnic & Meeting SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2011, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM DOWNPATRICK FARM, DRUMORE TOWNSHIP, 1719 FERNGLEN DRIVE Enjoy plenty of delicious barbeque and desserts from Hess's BBQ, meet woodland wildlife presented by Red Creek Wildlife Rehabilitators, discover native wildflowers along the banks of Fishing Creek on our Wildflower Hikes, and enjoy trying to spot birds in the woods on our Birdwatching Hikes and More! This is a great opportunity to meet the Conservancy family and enjoy a beautiful day on a picturesque farm in the heart of Lancaster County! Please RSVP to Nick Ebersole by Wednesday, May 26 at (717) ext. 206 or nebersole@lancasterconservancy.org. To help us offset the cost of this event in these challenging economic times, we are suggesting a donation of $15 from members. Nonmembers: $25 Children 10 & under: Free The Tucquan Society Honor Roll Planned Gifts to the Conservancy Anonymous Andrew H. Appel William B. Arnold (Lucy H. and Julia P. Arnold Fund) Eric and Laura Athey Elwood M. Brubaker *Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Bumsted Leslie J. Burlingame Blanche W. de Perrot G. Yale and Jane N. Eastman Dr. Paul W. Eyler James Earl Farster William R. Gamber, II and Kitty Lou Gamber Ford M. Gochenaur Thomas and Pamela Hall Rodney W. Harnish Robert Hershey and Elizabeth Phillips-Hershey Dr. Henry W. Huffnagle B. Duane Lease *M. Brooke Minnich and Peter Parsil Richard A. Minnich Robert K. Mowrer *Dr. and Mrs. Paul H. Ripple *Mrs. Margaret Sampson John P. and Ruth R. Sawyer *Sally Vanderslice Patricia A. Walls Deborah L. Witmer Donald B. Witmer Mrs. Marcie Woodson *Founding Members 11