Landscape-level conservation is built on partnerships, and on June 18, those partnerships were celebrated as 90 participants gathered at the Keystone Conference Center at Fort Indiantown Gap for the first-ever Kittatinny Ridge Partners Meeting. Bringing together representatives from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, land trusts, and community partners, the meeting celebrated the collaborative power of both the Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape (KRCL) and the Kittatinny Ridge Sentinel Landscape (KRSL).

Despite the misty morning, the meeting started with a special tour of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly habitat. Once widespread across the eastern United States, this beautiful butterfly now survives in only one remaining population, located at Fort Indiantown Gap. Thanks to decades of thoughtful habitat management by the Fort Indiantown Gap conservation staff, these butterflies continue to thrive in the installation’s grasslands.

Following the tour, participants gathered for the business meeting, where they explored the unique roles of both the KRCL and the KRSL. A highlight of the morning was the official transition of the KRCL External Lead role from Audubon Mid-Atlantic to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. While the leadership role has changed, the shared commitment to conserving the Ridge remains as strong as ever, and partners celebrated this important milestone together.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted from presentations to participation. Partners took part in an interactive discussion designed to capture ideas, identify priorities, and strengthen collaboration around some of the Ridge’s most important conservation topics. Small groups explored issues including land conservation, dark skies, place-making, conservation practice implementation and stewardship, recreation, and partner engagement and communication. The conversations were energetic, thoughtful, and filled with practical ideas that reflected the diverse expertise represented throughout the room.

Just as important as the formal participation events were the conversations that happened between sessions. New partnerships were formed, old friends reconnected, and countless ideas were exchanged over coffee, lunch, and throughout the day. Those personal connections are the foundation of landscape-scale conservation and remind us that protecting the Kittatinny Ridge is truly a shared effort.

The meeting also featured two inspiring keynote speakers whose careers reflect the many ways people can contribute to conservation.

Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Charles “Buck” MacLaughlin shared lessons from his distinguished military career, including his time as Director of Range Operations at the Avon Park Air Force Range in Florida. His presentation demonstrated how military readiness and natural resource conservation can work hand in hand, highlighting the important role military lands play in protecting wildlife and rare habitats.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Dunn concluded the meeting with a reflection on the history of conservation across the Kittatinny Ridge and recognized the generations of partners whose vision and dedication have shaped the landscape we know today. Her remarks challenged all of us to continue that legacy by working together to address tomorrow’s conservation challenges with the same spirit of collaboration.

Did you meet someone during the meeting but forget to exchange contact information? If you have a “missed connection,” please reach out to Tanya Dierolf or Michael Shenk, and we’ll be happy to help make the introduction.

If you attended the meeting and haven’t yet completed the post-meeting survey, we encourage you to take a few minutes to do so. Your feedback will help us build an even stronger event next year and ensure future meetings continue to provide meaningful opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make our inaugural Kittatinny Ridge Partners Meeting such a memorable success. The enthusiasm, expertise, and collaborative spirit demonstrated throughout the day made it clear that, together, we are building an even stronger future for the Kittatinny Ridge.