(5/1) 2018 was a year of change and growth at Strawberry Hill. Under the
leadership of a new Director, Kara Ferarro, the foundation in Fairfield saw
what is just the beginning of many changes to come.
Financially, Strawberry Hill underwent some major changes. In June, the
organization divested 560 acres to Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry. This strategic decision fulfilled Frances
Froelicher’s vision by protecting the preserve through public ownership,
enhancing recreational access, and ensuring permanent stewardship of the Swamp
Creek Watershed. Proceeds from the sale bolstered the organization’s investment
value to $1.4 million, which provides a stable source of income to support
educational programming. Additionally, members of Strawberry Hill increased
their financial support by 46%, providing more than $37,000 for environmental
education.
Over the summer, Specialty Granules LLC (SGI) awarded Strawberry Hill $8,000
towards their Middle Creek Trout Habitat and Erosion Control Project. This
project aims to reduce sediment erosion in an exceptional value stream, improve
trout habitat, and provide a unique best management practice educational tour
for people visiting Strawberry Hill. For this project, Strawberry Hill
collaborated with the Penn State Mont Alto Forest Technology program and
Forestry Club and the Watershed Alliance of Adams County. In addition to SGI’s
support, Strawberry Hill and its partners donated more than $7,000 of in-kind
donations, including volunteer time. This project will be completed this year.
In October, an education committee was re-established at Strawberry Hill.
Led by Education & Outreach Coordinator Lizzy Ryan, this group of ten community
members has worked to establish a few key goals in 2019. These goals include:
offering themed, guided hikes every month; creating an adult nature journaling
series; developing a fall foraging series; and enhancing and planning the
summer camp and educational programs. One of these new education courses is the
Owl Classroom program, which includes a pellet
dissection and learning about owl species and their value to the ecosystem.
On top of everything else, Strawberry Hill also launched a rebranding
campaign to reflect how the organization has evolved since 1986. In the past
year, Strawberry Hill has grown to include new staff, board members, and animal
ambassadors. While they continue to foster environmental education, it was time
for a change. An updated brand identity was released that included a new logo,
colors and font. This new look can be seen in their marketing, on social media,
at events, and on our their new website; coming very soon.
Although there are many projects planned for 2019, one project has already
been completed this year. Strawberry Hill removed the crabapple trees, which
were planted in the 1960s. In the past few years, the trees have started
showing symptoms of decline. Stump sprouts, dead branches and peeling bark
indicate that they have reached the end of their natural lives. Thanks to
seedling donations from the Adams County Conservation District, the crabapples
will be replaced with river birch this spring. The Adams County Conservation
District also donated persimmon, swamp white oak, and sycamore seedlings to be
planted throughout the main campus at Strawberry Hill.
For the remainder of 2019, Strawberry Hill will focus on expanding
programming, raising sufficient funds to balance their annual budget, and
developing a strategic plan that will guide the organization for years to come.