Looking back on 2021 Successes!

Photo by Michelle Johnsen courtesy of Lancaster Conservancy

2021 was a year of incredible, steady progress and collaboration for the Lancaster Clean Water Partners! With collaboration from our partner organizations and stakeholders, we continued to accelerate implementation of best management practices, identify and secure sustainable funding sources, mobilize the rapid stream delisting strategy, expand capacity, and educate existing and new partner organizations. 

Major accomplishments in 2021:

4,523,379 lbs. of sediment, 14,629 lbs. of nitrogen, and 1,884 lbs. of phosphorus reduced from local waterways annually from Clean Water Fund projects since 2019. Partner organization projects countywide resulted in even more reductions, and those total numbers will be available soon. We are truly seeing progress! 

Approximately $2,133,000 was awarded through the Lancaster Clean Water Fund for implementation and educational projects in Lancaster County. The 2022 round is opening on March 3. 

Twelve organizations collectively drove and will continue to lead the rapid stream delisting strategy through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation leadership teams.

$11,069,576-plus was secured from private and public funding sources to support capacity and countywide best management practice implementation. 

One project and grants coordinator was hired full-time to manage the Regional Conservation Partnership Program project and collaborative grants to keep the work moving forward. 

Three new Executive Committee members joined the team: Stephen Campbell with the City of Lancaster, Jenna Mitchell with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Eric Scott with Oak Tree Development Group. Lisa Riggs with the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County transitioned to past chair, while Jeff Swinehart with Lancaster Farmland Trust transitioned to chair. 

Seven scholars graduated from the inaugural class of the Lancaster Watershed Leadership Academy to become the next generation of clean water leaders in Lancaster County. Applications for the 2023 class are now open. 

Two new one-pagers were created to articulate our Values and ways to engage with the collective effort (Menu for Success)

We’re excited for all the possibilities 2022 will bring as we forge ahead with a bias towards action to achieve clean and clear water by 2040!