Our Community An important river runs through our city. Yet most of us barely notice.
For thousands of years, the Conestoga River sustained complex ecosystems and diverse human cultures. Today, it’s impaired by fertilizers, road salt, and raw sewage overflows—which eventually flow into and pollute the Chesapeake Bay. But if we work together, we can change that. Doing so would be one of our generation’s great legacies.
This is about more than a river.
The work done at Sunnyside Nature Preserve will reach far beyond the banks of the Conestoga. We’ll be working to address a range of environmental issues on the Sunnyside peninsula and beyond—and inspiring others to take action in their own neighborhoods.
Healthy Air
While Lancaster County has a reputation for fresh country air, we actually have some of the worst air pollution in the entire country. Because there’s not one simple cause to blame, there’s not one simple fix. So we’ll offer education and community training to help Lancaster residents fight air pollution on a grassroots level, from tree planting to energy efficiency.
Land Protection & Reforestation
Lancaster County’s continued population growth leads to the development of natural lands. This takes habitat from native plants and animals—and the impacts of habitat loss have been most felt in urban areas like Sunnyside Peninsula. With the Lancaster City’s help, we’re protecting 70 acres of Sunnyside’s meadows, wetlands, and woodlands forever.
Environmental Justice
Sunnyside Peninsula is located in Lancaster’s southeastern quadrant, which has the city’s highest poverty rates. These neighborhoods have historically been most impacted by environmental hazards while having the least access to nature. The project at Sunnyside will work to address these injustices.
Green Workforce Development
The cutting-edge materials and systems employed at the Sunnyside Environmental Center will spark student interest in green technologies. We plan to partner with school districts and technical schools to channel that interest into pathways to green jobs.