(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.