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Shaping Tomorrow Our Planet Awards Announced

The Lancaster County Community Foundation announces the fourth and final round of winners of the once-in-a-century Shaping Tomorrow Awards, part of more than $1 million of additional funds to support future-looking community impact.

During an environmentally focused event at The Farm at Eagle’s Ridge in October, the winners of the Shaping Tomorrow Our Planet Awards were announced to the public. A total of $274,000 was awarded to seven local organizations that impact Lancaster County through farm preservation, nature conservation, alternative approaches to energy, wildlife rehabilitation, and more.

“We know that Lancaster County’s farmland, greenspaces, and waterways face unique challenges and that we must protect these resources for future generations. Thanks to visionary funders who have contributed to the community’s endowment over time, we are honored to support the work of so many impactful organizations that are protecting our planet,” Sam Bressi, President and CEO.

The Lancaster County Community Foundation is celebrating 100 years of community impact by looking ahead to the next 100 years. By investing more than $1 million in additional funds in four future-focused areas, the Community Foundation is partnering with local community benefit organizations to build a more resilient, vibrant, and inclusive future for everybody in Lancaster County.

The Shaping Tomorrow Award categories include Creative Expression, Well-Being & Vibrancy, Next Generation, and Our Planet. More than $270,000 will be awarded to multiple organizations in each category. Organizations that serve Lancaster County were encouraged to apply to these once-in-a-century award opportunities, and winners were chosen by a committee of staff, board, and community members.

Learn More About Changing The Next 100 Years

A FULL LIST OF SHAPING TOMORROW OUR PLANET AWARD PROJECTS ARE BELOW.

Lancaster Conservancy $50,000 Lancaster Conservancy will construct 0.3 miles of universally accessible paths connecting key features of Climbers Run Nature Center. Innovatively designed paths will connect new ADA parking spaces to the renovated barn, new outdoor classroom, and features such as the pond and native trout stream.
Lancaster Farmland Trust $50,000 Lancaster Farmland Trust will create an agricultural education center for our community’s residents and visitors at the Miller Farm in East Hempfield Township. This initiative will serve as a gathering place and educational asset that connects us all to the land and soil that grows our food, by specifically creating opportunities for new farmer mentoring, field days, community-supported agriculture, cooking classes, among other possible activities.
RegenAll $50,000 Recognizing that energy costs significantly impact Lancaster’s housing affordability, RegenAll will introduce “Energize Lancaster,” which will enhance projects such as insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, and solar through household education, coordination with community partners, and turnkey implementation of projects.
Spanish American Civic Association $50,000 SACA will implement Sidewalk Stewardship in Southeast Lancaster city, which will mobilize residents and landlords to lead biodiverse plantings, resident-led weekly litter cleanups, public art installation, and environmental education. This initiative will help transform the Southeast into the City’s cleanest and greenest neighborhood, uplifting a sense of community pride.
Let’s Go 1-2-3 $36,000 Let’s Go 1-2-3, through “Saving Nature in Youth Centered Spaces,” will engage the Lancaster community in three areas of impact: community storytelling, elevating youth voices, and activating hands-on stewardship to restore and save nature in our City. Goals include monthly get-togethers at greenspaces and quarterly student panels to consider what is of most importance to them from an environmental perspective, both of which will lead to a long-term connection and stewardship plan to maintain a healthy community.
Foundation of the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County $25,000 In partnership with Discover Lancaster, Lancaster Conservancy and Lancaster County, EDC Lancaster County seeks to engage a consultant for the creation of a strategic plan to develop outdoor recreation’s role in driving the economic well-being and quality of life in the county.
Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation $13,000 Acorn Acres is expanding from a 154 sq ft facility to a 2,000 sq ft facility, which will dramatically increase the organization’s capacity to care for wildlife in Lancaster County. A new education room will be equipped to facilitate tours for student groups, game warden cadets, donors, and the local community, raising awareness about the importance of healthy wildlife and ecosystems.