The South Mountain Partnership announced the winner of the 2025 Spirit of South Mountain Award is the Tuckahoe Project led by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Cumberland County, York County, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The Spirit of South Mountain Award recognizes an individual, project, or organization that has made exceptional efforts to promote good stewardship of the South Mountain Region. This year’s awardee was the.

The award ceremony was held at SMP’s 15th annual Power of the Partnership event on Friday, September 12, 2025.

The Tuckahoe Project involved acquiring a tract of approximately 900 acres around Camp Tuckahoe, an active Boy Scouts of America (BSA) camp in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.

Located near state game land and the Appalachian Trail, the Tuckahoe Tract protects critical habitat for important plants and wildlife, safeguards the water quality of Dogwood Run, a tributary of the Yellow Breeches Creek, and provides a buffer for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

This core conserved area of South Mountain was at risk for development and will now serve and be enjoyed by generations to come.

Over a three-year acquisition process, CPC purchased it from the Boy Scouts of America with funding from the Cumberland County American Rescue Plan, York County Open Space and Land Preservation Program, the DCNR Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund, the Nature Conservancy, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Wild East Action Fund.

Ownership of the tract will transfer to DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry to be included it in Michaux State Forest.

The Bureau plans to open it for public access once the transfer is complete.

“The Tuckahoe Project embodies the community collaboration we uphold at SMP: the engagement of multiple levels of government, two major nonprofits, and a permanent steward to manage the land’s resources for public benefit,” says Katie Hess, director of SMP. “It safeguards a vital buffer to the Appalachian Trail, strengthens forest resilience for changing climates, and provides a core conserved area within South Mountain. We are proud to see this work flourish through partnership.”

Click Here for more information on the project: Pre-Acquisition and FAQs.

Click Here for the South Mountain Partnership announcement.

Partnership Awards $51,800 In Mini-Grants

Through their Mini-Grant Program and Flex Grant Program, South Mountain Partnership (SMP) awarded eight organizations a total of $51,800 for various conservation projects throughout the region.

Click Here for a list of grants awarded.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the South Mountain Partnership website.  Sign up for regular updates from the Partnership (bottom of the webpage).

Find out more about Friends of South Mountain Partnership.  The Partnership serves Cumberland, Adams, Franklin, and York counties.

Visit DCNR’s Conservation Landscape Initiatives webpage for more on similar programs around Pennsylvania.

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Oct. 23 to 29 Fall Foliage Report - Vibrant Foliage Can Be Seen Across The Commonwealth

-- South Mountain Partnership: Tuckahoe Project Receives Spirit Of South Mountain Award  [PaEN]

-- ClearWater Conservancy Celebrates Conservation Achievements, Honors Local Leaders, Breaks Ground On New Hamer Community Conservation Center In Centre County  [PaEN]

-- Lancaster Conservancy Announces Acquisition Of 180 Acres In York County To Establish The Eagle View Nature Preserve; Solidifies Opposition To Cuffs Run Pump-Hydroelectric Facility  [PaEN]

-- Natural Lands Preserves Nearly 14 Acres In Bucks County To Add To State Game Lands  [PaEN]

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Penn’s Stewards News Celebrates Quiet - A Natural Resource In Our Lives And Time  [PaEN]

-- AP: Your Latest Prescription Is To Get Outside; Health Care Providers Have Long Suggested Stressed-Out Patients Spend Time In Nature

-- DCNR, Local Partners Plant 700 Trees Along York County Stream To Improve Local Water Quality

-- Pennsylvania Sea Grant: Know it, Report it, Stop it: Aquatic Invasive Species Response Training Webinar Now Available On Demand  [PaEN]

-- DCNR, PennEnvironment Highlight How Solar Energy At Prince Gallitzin State Park In Cambria County Can Reduce Energy Costs, Cut Pollution

NewsClips:

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-- Pike County Open Space, Greenways, Recreation Plan Update Available For Public Review

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-- DCNR Invests $130,000 To Plant 700 Trees Along York County Stream To Improve Water Quality [Video, Photos]

-- Fox43: State Officials Will Join Local Partners Oct. 23 To Plant 700 Trees Along Orson Run In York County   [Event Details]

-- The Allegheny Front: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Beating Back Invasive Plants With Fire

-- Penn State Extension Master Gardeners Of Lebanon County Host In-Person Oct. 27 Birds In Your BackYard - Native Plants, Feeders & More In Lebanon, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

-- Lehigh Valley Wildlands Conservancy Highlights Upcoming Experiences: Campfire Conversations; New Perseverance Trail; Outdoor Classroom

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Watch Training Online, In-Person; Eagle Watch Bus Tours Begin Jan. 3

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Update On Fall Migration Season, Upcoming Events

-- The Allegheny Front: New Western PA Magazine Celebrates Sport And The Outdoors

-- Pennsylvania Wilds: PA Wilds Kicks Off Holiday Shopping Season With Online Makers Market Oct. 25

-- Tribune-Democrat: Prince Gallitzin State Park Tour Highlights Solar Energy Savings, Potential To Lower Energy Costs [PDF of Article]

-- Altoona Mirror: Students Get Close-Up Look At Solar Energy Array Responsible For Cutting Electricity Costs At Prince Gallitzin State Park  [PDF of Article]

[Posted: October 21, 2025]

10/27/2025