Susquehanna Currents: News & Views

March 2011

 

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


 

 

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

 

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

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
  
For more information on the Lower Susquehanna Conservation Landscape Initiative, please visit: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cli/lowersusquehanna/index.htm
 
LSCLI Volunteer Opportunity
The Lancaster County Conservancy (LCC) is looking for volunteers on April 9 & 10 from 9am-4pm to assist with planting thousands of chestnut seeds and conifer seedlings at the House Rock Preserve. This is effort is being done in partnership with the PA chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation and generous support of Armstrong World Industries. LCC will provide lunch, tools, and gloves. Contact LCC to sign up or with any questions: volunteerlcc@gmail.com.

Directions to the House Rock Preserve can be found here: http://www.lancasterconservancy.org/houserockdirections.htm

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!

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.
  
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.
  

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   

    Find us on Facebook

Along with generous private contributions, SGHA is funded in part by the following state, regional, and community partners: