Appalachian Trail Conservancy Announces South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant 2013 Application Process

BOILING SPRINGS, PA, April 20, 2013 (Press-News.org) The South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant program, administered by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), is currently accepting applications for the 2013 grant round until July 31, 2013. Since its inception in 2009, the Mini-Grant program has funded 28 projects throughout the South Mountain landscape in south-central Pennsylvania and has awarded $188,000 in funding to support these projects, an investment that has leveraged an additional $450,000 in matching funding.

The program is designed to stimulate projects that sustain south-central Pennsylvania's sense of place by protecting, promoting, and building upon natural, cultural, recreational, and agricultural resources. In particular, the program targets investments in projects that have significant ties to the assets of South Mountain, the working lands that surround the mountain and the communities tied to both.

"The Partnership prides itself on creating an inclusive conversation about the future of where we live," stated Jonathan Peterson, Environmental Planner with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and co-lead of the South Mountain Partnership. "The Mini-Grant program continues to be a highly successful tool for the Partnership to translate this conversation into action on the ground, and boost our partners' efforts to achieve the goals and objectives that sustain the quality of life and sense of place that we enjoy here in the South Mountain region."

The South Mountain Partnership is jointly led by the ATC and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). It focuses on the four-county region of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties. The Partnership is a unified alliance of citizens, businesses, not-for-profits, and local and state government officials and agencies. Together, these partners see the stewarding of the region's natural, cultural and recreational resources as critical to sustaining the quality of life and economic health of the region's citizens and communities. The Partnership's key role is as regional facilitator in this discussion, and the ATC's local roots and extensive conservation work in central Pennsylvania has made it a logical fit to lead the initiative.

Funds for the Mini-Grant program originate from DCNR's Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and the Community Conservation Partnership Program. These funds are derived from the Environmental Stewardship Fund.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, municipalities, counties, and educational institutions. For more information and downloadable copies of the grant application process visit http://www.southmountainpartnership.org. To submit an application for the 2013 grant round, email Jonathan Peterson at jpeterson@appalachiantrail.org.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail - ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information please visit http://www.appalachiantrail.org.