Our Programs

Seeds of Sustainability Awards

Environmental Grants for Homeowners

The Chestnut Grove Foundation, which provides grants to homeowners in the Penn Manor School District through its "Seeds of Sustainability" program, has announced July 8, 2011 as the deadline for submission of applications. Any project completed by a Penn Manor homeowner in the last 5 years and which demonstrates good stewardship of the natural resources on their properties may be eligible for cash awards of $1000, $500 or $100.

The "Seeds of Sustainability" program recognizes and rewards individual property owners within the Penn Manor school district who have significantly protected and conserved the natural resources on their own properties, used alternative energy sources, reduced pollution, protected wildlife or in any other meaningful way protected or conserved natural resources.

Now in its fourth year, "Seeds of Sustainability" has recognized homeowner projects ranging from controlling erosion and storm water runoff to using reclaimed barn wood and metal in a home renovation. Other projects have included restoring woodland, composting, use of rain barrels, and turning a small barren yard into a bountiful garden and wildlife habitat.

Application forms, including more information about CGF and the "Seeds of Sustainability" awards, are available here, or by calling 872-4142. Awards will be announced September 16, 2011.

Cash Homeowner Awards

The Chestnut Grove Foundation has awarded cash prizes totaling over $1000 to three local homeowners as part of its Seeds of Sustainability Program. The recipients, two from Millersville and one from Willow Street, demonstrated conservation and good stewardship of their properties in projects that ranged from building a dry stack wall to decrease erosion to using reclaimed metals and woods in a house renovation. "We are pleased to recognize the great creativity these Penn Manor residents have shown in protecting and preserving the environment on their own properties," said Cabell Kladky, President of the Chestnut Grove Foundation. "Through this program, we hope to encourage more homeowners to reap the financial rewards and satisfaction by making changes to their properties that conserve our natural resources."

Jennie and Todd Sikora of Millersville were awarded $500 in the "Excellence" category for a basement refinishing project that added 600 square feet of living space without excavating and, which by using reclaimed barnwood and metal, cost a fraction of what conventional building materials would have cost. In addition to using natural slate and cork in their flooring, the Sikoras increased their heating and electrical efficiency by using radiant, zoned heating and compact fluorescent lighting.

Reclaimed barnwood bar finish and scrap metal top with cork flooring	Barnwood cabinetry & trim, gas fireplace directly vented to maintain indoor air quality

Christa Shoreman and Susan Paul, also of Millersville, received $500 for their commitment to providing shelter and food for birds, insects and animals by reducing the size of their lawn and planting desirable trees, shrubs and perennials.. Additionally, Shoreman and Paul installed two 45 gallon rain barrels that help diminish runoff and provide water for their vegetable garden and annuals. In addition, they have reduced runoff with their plantings and by building a 30 foot long natural, dry-stack wall. Finally, they have reduced their trash output by composting and have decreased the need for chemicals in their flower beds by early application of compost and bark mulch along with hand weeding.

Before and after landscaping which reduced the size of lawn and added desireable shrubs and perennials

Dry stack natural stone wall built to prevent erosion	Rain barrels catch rain water for re-use in vegetable garden

Vegetable garden w/ swiss chard, mustard and arugula

Jack Bleacher of Willow Street was the third recipient of the awards program with a "Meritorious" prize of $100 for installing energy efficient and conservation systems on his property. Bleacher has installed a solar photovoltaic and a geothermal heating and cooling system that have reduced his carbon footprint by decreasing the carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions associated with traditional sources of electricity and heating. Bleacher also uses a composting system which reduces landfill waste and provides natural fertilizer and has installed a rainwater catch system which reduces rainwater runoff and conserves groundwater.

The Chestnut Grove Foundation's "Seeds of Sustainability" program, now in its third year, recognizes and rewards individual property owners within the Penn Manor school district who have significantly protected and conserved the natural resources on their own properties, used alternative energy sources, reduced pollution, protected wildlife or in any other meaningful way protected or conserved natural resources

Applications for the fourth year of the Seeds of Sustainability program will be available in April, 2011. More information about CGF and the Seeds of Sustainability awards, are available at www.ChestnutGroveFoudation.org, at info@Chestnut Grove Foundation.org or by calling 872-4142.

Susquehanna River Heritage Day October 15, 2011

Jack Hubley at the Washington Boro Society for Susquehanna River Heritage Day on October 16, 2010

Conestoga River Clean-up

For the third year, we sponsored a Boy Scout Eagle project to clean up the Conestoga River. This year Henry Stewart led the project, cleaning up the Conestoga from East King street to the Knights of Columbus.

http://chestnutgrovefoundation.org/index.php http://chestnutgrovefoundation.org/index.php

Conestoga Trail Clean up Summer 2010.

CGF will support two Penn Manor high school students who as a service project, will clean litter from the Conestoga Trail.

Chestnut Tree Planting

We provided funding and labor to help The American Chestnut Foundation (http://www.patacf.org/) plant carefully bred, disease resistant American chestnuts as part of a program to restore blight-resistant Chestnut groves in the River Hills. This year the chestnut seeds were planted on April 24 and 25, 2010 at the Lancaster County Conservancy's House Rock Chestnut orchard. More than 3,000 chestnut trees have been planted to date.

Educational programs

• For the sixth consecutive year, CGF has been a sponsor of the Lancaster County Envirothon http://www.envirothonpa.org/

The Chestnut Grove Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and is registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations.