South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative
South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative
South Mountain lies within south-central Pennsylvania and is the northern terminus of the impresive end of a landscape known as the Blue Ridge Mountains. Communities surrounding South Mountain have thrived off the fertile limestone agricultural lands, the timber that fed the iron furnaces, the plentiful game and wildlife, and off the abundance of pure spring water that is captured by the mountains permeable soils and released into the valleys.
A rich cultural heritage has developed in communities such as Gettysburg, Chambersburg, Carlisle, and many smaller quaint villages largely because of the plentiful resources surrounding them. Pastoral scenes of barns and fields, acres of orchards in blossom, and rolling mountains of broad-leafed deciduous and coniferous forests typify the landscape. It is partly this scenic quality that has brought intense growth pressure surrounding the mountain. Major metropolitan areas like Baltimore and Washington D.C. are within commuting distance of the mountain’s foothills. South Mountain’s land and heritage have brought us together to preserve its sense of place. This has become the mission of a partnership formed around the South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative (CLI). The CLI is a model for partnering that is effectively working in areas across the state; its champion is Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.The South Mountain Partnership is a unified group of private citizens, business, non-profit organizations and public officials working to protect, preserve and enhance the South Mountain Landscape.
The South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative aims to encourage and promote the further appreciation and protection of the intrinsic geographic, geologic, biologic, natural, agricultural and heritage resources. We are working to protect the important connection these have to the quality of life and place in the region.Click on this link http://www.southmountaincli.blogspot.com/ to get more information.
