DCNR: Grants Available to Preserve and Promote South-Central Pennsylvania's Natural and Cultural Assets

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan today announced that the South Mountain Partnership has mini-grants available that communities and organizations can use to protect and promote natural and cultural assets in the south-central region of the state. 

For 2012, up to $100,000 in grants will be available with a required one-to-one match. The maximum individual grant award is $25,000.

"Since 2009, mini-grants have helped to encourage economic development in local communities by funding projects to build trails; conduct regional trail feasibility studies; hold outdoor festivals; develop promotional guides for local agriculture and forest products; and much more," Allan said. "These grants help local communities enhance their sense of place and expand the region's economy by capitalizing on natural resources."

The South Mountain Partnership is one of seven Conservation Landscapes – an initiative by DCNR to engage communities and local partners with state agencies and funding partners to conserve and protect resources.

The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program was developed and is overseen by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. ATC co-leads the South Mountain Partnership, an alliance of the private and public sectors, non-profits, universities, and local residents in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and northern York counties.

"The mini-grant program emphasizes multi-partner regional collaborations and in result we have seen incredible long term relationships develop. It is a major goal of the South Mountain Partnership to foster these strong partnerships that steward and promote our assets," said Kim Williams, ATC environmental planner.

The application is available at www.southmountainpartnership.org. The application deadline is July 31.

A workshop about the details of the program and application with time for participants to ask questions will be held March 29 at 3:30 p.m. at the Shippensburg University Conference Center.

An online webinar similar to the workshop will be held May 23 at 4 p.m. Online registration is requested for both.

Since the mini-grant program began, $161,000 has been awarded with more than $390,000 in matching dollars from grantees.

The mini-grant money is provided by DCNR's Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

For more information about the partnership visit www.southmountainpartnership.org or call Kim Williams at the ATC office at 717-258-5771. 

Media contact: Christina Novak, 717-772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources