Wandering Pennsylvania’s Waterways: Collaborating Across Communities

Protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources requires more than good policy – it demands a web of partnerships, a blend of innovation and tradition, and a deep respect for both the land and the people who steward it. This year’s Wandering Waterways tour through the South Mountain region brought that vision to life, connecting local officials with farmers, foresters, and conservation leaders to explore what’s possible when collaboration takes center stage.

The tour offered living proof that the Chesapeake Bay watershed is shaped not just by state and federal initiatives, but by the everyday decisions made at the local level. Every field, stream, and storm drain is part of a larger story, one written by communities working together to manage the natural resources we all depend on.

Local official captures a photo of the low water level at Long Pine Run Reservoir in Michaux State Forest. At the time of this photo, the area was under a Drought Warning issued by the Borough of Chambersburg Water Utility.

On May 1-2, 20 local officials representing 15 municipalities travelled through Adams, Cumberland, and Franklin counties to witness how local leadership is improving water quality, supporting working lands, and enhancing public spaces. In Carlisle Borough, we saw how stormwater projects, riparian buffers, and brownfield redevelopment are revitalizing landscapes while supporting growth. In Greene Township, we walked through a reimagined municipal park, an example of how public access, recreation, and stormwater management can be woven into one shared space.

Greene Township Municipal Park’s playgrounds, exercise space, and pavilions are flanked by conservation landscaping and rain gardens to reduce stormwater runoff.

On RN Miller Farms, we saw how voluntary conservation practices like manure storage facilities and riparian buffers are protecting Rock Creek and the watershed beyond, thanks to partnerships with the Adams County Conservation District and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

At Three Springs Fruit Farm, we learned of the challenges and successes of farmland and character preservation.

Ben Wenk, Three Springs Fruit Farm owner, points out best management practices they are utilizing at the orchard.

Across tour sites, one theme echoed loudly – progress happens through partnership. Buttonwood Nature Center exemplified a public-private partnership with Washington Township to increase environmental education for local students. Greene Township’s park improvements were supported by South Mountain Partnership planning and funding. Carlisle’s stormwater upgrades reflect years of collaboration and forward-thinking local governance. RN Miller Farms tapped into Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) funding, leveraging state and nonprofit support to protect soil and water while sustaining a family operation.

This throughline of collaboration came into sharpest focus in Michaux State Forest, where smoke still lingered from recently subdued wildfires. It was here that the interconnectedness of our natural resources became undeniable. We heard stories of the 70+ local fire departments that joined PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry in combatting the flames. We learned how drought stressed the Long Pine Run Reservoir and strained the Chambersburg Water Authority. We reflected on the thousands of residents and visitors who rely on the forest for clean water, recreation, and peace. Michaux reminded us that watersheds do not conform to political boundaries, they flow and stretch across landscapes, calling us to work together across township, borough, and county lines.

Roy Brubaker, District Forester at Michaux State Forests, speaks to tourgoers.

Yet, amid this complexity, there was also hope. Whether standing in an orchard with a seventh-generation farmer and a curious fox, or walking along an innovative linear stormwater park next to a busy road, we saw what’s possible when local action leads. These weren’t just site visits – they were glimpses into a future where sustainability is rooted and nurtured by the community.

The Wandering Pennsylvania’s Waterways tour painted a picture of what’s possible when local governments are empowered and supported, through funding, technical assistance, and trusted partnerships. With this support, local governments impact will not stop at the edge of their jurisdiction, it will flow downstream, across other communities, making a positive impact on the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Where is Wandering Waterways Going Next?

Since its pilot in 2019, the Wandering Waterways series has gathered local officials in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, New York, the Delmarva peninsula, and the District of Columbia to learn about topics including green infrastructure, innovative agricultural practices, clean water initiatives, and solutions to localized flooding.

This September, the Wandering Waterways series will return to Pennsylvania to discuss intermunicipal collaboration for clean water in York and Lancaster Counties. To wrap-up 2025, we’ll head to Prince George’s Maryland and focus on innovative stormwater management and flooding control strategies. Stay tuned for more Wandering Waterways stories!

Are you interested in collaborating on a future Wandering Waterways tour? Complete this interest form!

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