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.
[Posted: October 21, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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