CELEBRATION TO BE HELD FOR THE PURCHASE AND PRESERVATION OF THE 840 ACRES WHITE ROCKS PROJECT

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) with it’s federal, state and local partners, is holding a public celebration for the recently protected 840 acres of forested land on South Mountain in Cumberland County (known as the White Rocks). The celebration free and open to the public will be held Saturday April 9th, 2011 at 1 pm at the Monroe Township park and ball field at the junction of Leidigh Drive and Kuhn Road. 

The celebration will include a ribbon cutting, festivities, and trail club led hikes to the White Rocks Trail that looks upon the newly acquired land.  An RSVP is required for hikes and recommended for the celebration.  To RSVP for the event and hikes go online www.whiterocks.eventbrite.com  or call the ATC office at (717) 258-5771.

Karen Lutz, Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region of ATC commented that “At the celebration you will hear from community leaders at the local, county, and state level that are tremendously supportive of permanently protecting lands surrounding the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.”  The protected lands were secured by the U.S. federal government, National Park Service for permanent protection of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The purchase will protect open space and wildlife habitat, enhance the Appalachian Trail experience and provide protection to critical groundwater recharge areas that feed residential use in the valley and the cold water fishery of the Yellow Breeches Creek. Total project cost is $3.2 million.  Funding for this land conservation project came from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), and local private contributions. 

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy 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 www.appalachiantrail.org.

AGENDA

11:30 pm Hike: The Natural History of White Rocks (registration required)

1:30 pm CEREMONY STARTS- Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, master of ceremonies kicks off.

1:35 pm         10 minute speaking period reserved for tentative guests:

                   Senator Pat Vance

                     Buck Swisher, Representing Congressman Todd Platts

1:45 pm    Introduction of Rita Hennessy, National Park Service

1:50 pm     Introduction of Cindy Dunn, of PA DCNR

1:55 pm       Introduction of Dave Startzell and Karen Lutz, Appalachian Trail Conservancy

2:05 pm       Introduction of Debrah Bowman, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy