2014 AnnuAlRepoRt

CentralPAConservancy.org

CPC 2014 AnnuAl RepoRt 717-241-4360 | info@centralpaconservancy.org | CentralPAConservancy.org

…natural resources in

Central pA through land

acquisition, conservation

easements, education,

and outreach. For over 30

years, CpC has functioned

as the local land trust for

Cumberland, perry, and

Dauphin counties. CpC

stewards, operates, and

hosts programs at the

Ironmaster’s Mansion,

in pine Grove Furnace

State park.

our Miss ion is . . .

Photo by Casey Kreider

Non-Profit

uS postage

pAID

permit # 485

Carlisle, pA

BoArd of direCtorsJohnson G. Coyle, president

Kenneth Waidelich, VpGeorge W. lane, treasurerKenneth okorn, Secretary

John W. Carroll, esq.laura Moran Danko , pWS

Jane earle William Forrey

Beverly GreningChet Hagenbarth

Don Mainse. lee Stinnett II, p.C.

Robert l. thompson, MD David t. twining, phD

stAff (PArt-tiMe/seAsonAl) executive Director, Anna n. Yelk

Director of land protection & Stewardship, Ben MummertBookkeeper, Kathy Greiner

Ironmaster’s Mansion Innkeepers, Roger and Kathy Stone

internJaime phillips, Dickinson College

401 e louther St, Suite 308Carlisle, pA 17013

2 014 A n n uAl R e poR t & A Miss ion

Imitating the many raptors that rely on the Kittatinny Ridge to speed them on their annual journey to Central and South America, visitors assemble at Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch each autumn to experience the beauty and sheer numbers of birds of prey. However inspiring, it is only a glimpse of this landscape’s larger significance.

Stretching 300 miles, the Kittatinny is the most contiguous ridge of the Appalachians. It provides not only an internationally significant bird migration route, but critical nesting habitat for many declining species such as the saw-whet owl, cerulean and golden-winged warblers, as well as several endangered small mammals and reptiles.

The Kittatinny landscape’s predominant limestone geology supports productive agriculture in its corridor and abundant aquatic habitat in its streams. It has been identified by scientists as being supportive of biodiversity in the face of a changing climate, making it a priority for protection. And, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail traverses the Kittatinny for hundreds of miles, providing public access and recreational opportunities to day hikers, section hikers, and those thru-hiking from Maine to Georgia.

In Pennsylvania, though much of the ridge has already been protected as public land, there are more than 300,000 acres that have no level of protection whatsoever and are at risk of development, particularly in the central and southern parts of the ridge, within the CPC service area. There is an urgent need for accelerated and coordinated outreach and protection.

“ Conservation is a ChoiCe for a rich human future, a way

of life that sustains and builds the natural wealth that underpins

our economic and social systems.” – Andy loza, president, pennsylvania land trust Association

“ We do not inherit

the earth from

our anCestors;

We borroW it from

our Children.”

– Chief Seattle

Working together to protect the Kittatinny Ridge landscape

DCnR Grant for landowner outreach Initiative

in the Kittatinny Ridge corridor

As one of seven PArtners, CPC will exeCute the ProjeCt in

CuMBerlAnd And Perry Counties over three yeArs.

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy has been a key member of the Kittatinny Ridge Coalition (kittatinnyridge.org) since inception. The alliance includes conservation organizations, agencies, and academic institutions working together to conserve the natural, scenic, cultural, and aesthetic resources of the Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor. The two lead partners—Pennsylvania Audubon and The Nature Conservancy—have developed GIS data and anlaysis as part of the conservation plan, which will be used by the CPC in conservation efforts with landowners of priority properties.

Each land trust partner has agreed to execute landowner outreach activities in their respective communities. Where landowner interest on high priority parcels (81 in Perry County, 64 in Cumberland County) is strong, the CPC will advance outreach efforts toward permanent protection.

guArdiAn ($1,000 or More)

perry County Conservation DistrictAppalachian Audubon Societypeter and Anna YelkGreening life Community, Inc.Matthew RiceJoseph and pia GensbiglerGregory and Susan Sutliffthe Chris thorpe Foundation, Inc.David t. twininglouise HepschmidtF&M trustFriends of pine Grove Furnace State parkJohn W. and Karin Carter Carroll

BenefACtor ($500-$999)

William and laura Harkey lobar Associates Jane earle and larry Jackson West Shore Family Dentistry Andre Weltman Waggoner Frutiger & Daub llp Drew and Kathy Stoken Stickney and Associates/ Ameriprise Financial pepper Hamilton, llp penn Cumberland Garden Club Jim and Janet D. nyceJohnson G. CoyleRick Rovegno

PAtron ($250-$499)

edward and Danny Sickel Donald Mowery Cumberland County Conservation District larry G. Williamson Carol RyderKen and Gloria okorn eric Klinedinst and elaine lemmon Roger Sider paul Showalter Robert C. Shaw, IV Henry W. Rhoads, esq.Don Mains Debra Hoover J. Gerald and Verne W. GreinerBill and Debra Bowman Bill and Barbara Bostic Blair Co. Conservation Officers Assn.Margaret BellisAngela BartoliSusie oppermanpaul Querry

the three top giving levels are listed above—there’s not enough room in this report to list the hundreds of CPC supporters that gave lesser amounts. We are truly appreciative of gifts of any size—thanks to you all!

Year in Review:

overnight hostel

events & ProgrAMs

• 840 individual overnights from April-October

• 15 group reservations by schools, colleges, churches, nonprofits, and private parties

• Over 1,000 participants in free, weekly history tours

Goddard leadership legacy instituteJuly 13-18, 2014

goddardleadership.org

ironmaster’s Challenge – april 27, 2014SAVe tHe DAte! the next IM Challenge will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2015

online registration is now open!ironmastersChallenge.com

old tyme at the ironmaster’s mansion fundraiser – october 12, 2014

DonoRS CoMMItteD

to Soar!

A StRAteGY to

Strengthen

717-241-4360 | info@centralpaconservancy.org | CentralPAConservancy.orgCPC 2014 AnnuAl RepoRt

2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 7 C P C s t r A t e g i C P l A n AdoPted with three PriMAry goAls:

1. Strengthen CpC’s capacity to deliver on its core mission of land conservation across its geographic region, while developing a new approach to Ironmaster’s Mansion operations. objectives include prioritizing protection efforts; developing best stewardship practices, and strengthening partnerships and landowner outreach.

2. Build CpC’s organizational excellence through clarity of purpose, a viable financial model, and a sound organizational structure. this includes goals for membership develop- ment, board/staff development, and pursuit of land trust accreditation from the national land trust Alliance.

3. Strengthen CpC’s public relations, member- ship, and communications programs.

each goal is accompanied by an action plan that lays out specific objectives, strategies, and a three-year timeline.

to become more involved in the CpC as a member, donor or volunteer, please contact Anna Yelk: ayelk@centralpaconservancy.org or 717-241-4360

2014 revenues $148,311

17%Memberships

21%fundraising

events

6%donations

24% ironmaster’s

Mansion rentals

28%grants

4%Program tuition

2014 exPenses $168,568

23% land

Protection

11%strategic

Plan & website

15%fundraising

18%goddard

30%ironmaster’s

Mansion

3%Admin

MAtthew riCe eAseMent ProjeCt

500 acres to be permanently protectedGetting a head start on Kittatinny Ridge protection, the CPC is already in process this year with a conservation easement project with landowner and conservation advocate, Matthew Rice. This effort involves a property near the Tuscarora State Forest on the Perry County side of the ridge and has all the natural assets CPC seeks out— water resources, habitat for species of concern, a significant bird migration corridor, forested slopes and ridges, proximity to already protected lands, and scenic value.

The CPC is thrilled to be partnering with Appalachian Audubon (a local PA Chapter), which has committed $10,000 toward this project. We anticipate the completion of the easement by early summer 2015, and applaud the landowner’s generous donation and his efforts to leave a lasting legacy by protecting this part of the Kittatinny Ridge. We look forward to working with additional landowners with similar goals in the coming months!

Intentional community collaborates

with CpC to ensure permanent protection of 100-acre commonsGreening Life Community (GLC) founders, Paul and Dhyana Gehris, are one of three couples who collectively purchased a 135-acre farm near Shermans Dale in 1972. Still living there today, they are the driving force behind a partnership with the CPC that created a conservation easement on the 100-acre commons last month.

Organized around the concepts of cooperative ownership and environmentally-sustainable practices, GLC is thriving 40 years later. Knowing their legacy could potentially be displaced in the face of increasing development and land values, GLC members wanted to ensure that even if ownership changed, the land would remain undeveloped and its unique conservation values protected. The easement provides for property stewardship, sustainable agricultural and forestry practices. It includes a riparian corridor and tributary to Sherman’s Creek, woodland, pasture, mountain views, and abundant wildlife.

We are delighted to add this special property to our portfolio of successful outcomes and look forward to a productive partnership with members

pRIoRItY pARCelS FoR lAnd ProteCtion