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March 2011

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Upcoming Events Susquehanna Heritage Lecture Series (Click for more info or to register) 6:30pm
April 13 - Rocks & Mining History along the Lower Susquehanna River
May 11 - The Sunken Town of Peach Bottom, PA
June 8 - Anthracite Iron Furnaces on the Lower Susquehanna
Other SGHA Events April 23 - Shenk's Ferry Wild Flower Walk |
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Board of Directors | |
Dan Meckley III Chair James D. Warner Vice Chair
Carol Park
Treasurer Alex Snyder Secretary
Senator Mike Brubaker Susan Campbell
Joe R. Deerin Roger Dick
Charles E. Douts, Jr.
Comm. Doug Hoke
David Keller
Julie McNamara
Dr. Joel M. Rodney
Anita Snader Dan Strauss Wendy Tippetts
Fred Uffelman Dave Van Arsdale
Lori Yeich - DCNR Liaison
SGHA Staff
Mark Platts
President
Jonathan Pinkerton
Vice President Marie Cartwright
Outreach & Communications Coordinator Pam Kilgore
Administrative Coordinator
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Viewing the river on a daily basis makes you very aware of the subtle changes and nuances of the river; water level, amount of debris, bird migration, wind speed, and rate of current. If you're not along the river daily, you will certainly notice major changes (such as the high water and flooding last week), but probably will not see there is a little more debris than normal or if the current is extra slow.
The same goes for the world of Heritage, Conservation, and Preservation. Because we live in this world day in and day out, we sometimes forget that not everyone is tuned into the same issues and news items that we are. In particular, we'd like to draw your attention to the Growing Greener initiative article below. Please take some time and learn more about Growing Greener, how important it is that funding be renewed to this program, and the impact Growing Greener has on your day-to-day life.
Also in this newsletter you will find articles on the following:
1. Upcoming events sponsored by SGHA 2. Lower Susquehanna Conservation Landscape Initiative Update
3. LSCLI Volunteer Opportunity
4. SGHA on Facebook 5. Renew Growing Greener
6. Hidden Heritage - The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail |
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News
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendar for our April Events - please see links to left for more information or to register.
Susquehanna Heritage Lecture - Wednesday April 11 - Jeri Jones will speak about Geology and Mining along the Susquehanna.
Saturday April 23, 10am-11:30am - Guided walk of Shenk's Ferry Wildflower Preserve with Mark Arbogast. Enjoy a beautiful walk during the peak of wildflower season. Bring along your family or out-of-town guests!
Update: Lower Susquehanna Conservation Landscape Initiative (LSCLI) As we shared in our December newsletter, we are co-leads of the LSCLI, along with the Lancaster County Conservancy (LCC). Since our public meeting of key stakeholders in November, we have been finalizing the details of the 2011 workplan based on 12 strategic priorities.
We are pleased to report progress on the following projects in the LSCLI:
Phase 1 PPL Land Transfer - 324 acres have been transferred from PPL to LCC for preservation LCC Connections Project - LCC has created a base map of area trails and will be going into the field to identify and obtain GPS information on trails that are either currently un-mapped or have no GPS or GIS information available Zimmerman Center for Heritage Enhancement Project - SGHA has selected Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects to lead the consultant team and has begun the permitting and design process (projected project completion summer 2012) Northwest Lancaster County River Trail - This year East Donegal and Conoy Townships will be completing an additional 3+ miles of the trail Veteran's Memorial Bridge Lighting Project - Installation of historic lighting on the bridge is funded and expected to take place in 2011
LSCLI Volunteer Opportunity
Help restore the native Chestnut Tree to PA!
SGHA On Facebook
Don't forget to friend us on facebook! www.facebook.com/susquehannaheritagearea We use the site to share a variety of Heritage, History, and Outdoor events and opportunities in the area. Soon we will be offering specials and discounts exclusively to our facebook fans! |
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Renew Growing Greener
Show your support! 
Governor Tom Ridge initiated Growing Greener in 1999 by committing funding for 5 years to help preserve and protect a variety of green initiatives - farmland, open space, streams and river, state and local parks, trails, and greenways. Governor Ed Rendell's administration recognized the importance of continuing this work and established Growing Greener II through a bond referendum, approved by PA voters.
Currently, Growing Greener will be depleted in less than a year if new funding is not put in place to continue the important work of this initiative.
How Growing Greener Makes PA a Better Place:
Restoring our Water and Land
Conserving our Working Farms and Forests
Saving our Special Places
Greening our Communities
Creating Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
Please visit www.growinggreener.org to learn more about the history and successes of this initiative. Also visit www.renewgrowinggreener.org to show your support of this initiative. Information is available on how to contact your local representatives.
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Hidden Heritage
There are so many unique opportunities for heritage and outdoor experiences in the Susquehanna Gateway region. Visitors may not know about some of the "local secrets" and for life-long residents it's easy to forget about some of the great experiences right in our own backyard. We would like to share some of our discovered (or rediscovered) experiences.
Northwest Lancaster County River Trail By Mike Domin, Lancaster County Planning Commission
Developed from a master plan in March 2003, the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail is a proposed multi-purpose, public recreation trail approximately fourteen miles long, spanning five municipalities at the northwestern edge of Lancaster County. Lancaster County and the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority also own sections of the trail.
The trail follows the route of the historic Pennsylvania Mainline Canal and uses some of the original towpath that remains along the corridor. This provides ample opportunities to interpret the numerous industrial archaeological remains such as abandoned canal locks; the iron furnaces at Chickies Rock; and the old quarry operation at Millmeyer. The trail also connects the historic river towns and villages of Columbia, Marietta, and Bainbridge.
The current condition or readiness of the trail varies throughout the corridor, but there are 2.4 miles of developed trail for hiking or biking located between the Decatur Street trailhead in Marietta borough, west to the pavilion in East Donegal Township's Riverfront Park. This 8 foot wide, paved section of trail will be extended another 1.2 miles this spring to the Shocks Mill railroad bridge in Conoy township. Also planned for late 2011 or early 2012 is a 3-mile section of trail from Shocks Mill bridge to the village of Bainbridge.
We invite you to explore this wonderful new asset, located right in your backyard! For more information about the project or directions to the trailheads, please see the informational document prepared by the Lancaster County Planning Commission, which includes more detailed information and maps.
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Contact Us Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area
Zimmerman Center for Heritage 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368
717-252-0229
info@susquehannaheritage.org www.SusquehannaHeritage.org
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Along with generous private contributions, SGHA is funded in part by the following state, regional, and community partners:

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