ExtraGive: Focus on environmental groups looking for supporters
Article Source: Lancaster Online
Environmental groups add giving events- Food, and drink deals to benefit nonprofits will coincide with the county’s annual donation bonanza. Enjoying treats at one of Lancaster’s upscale restaurants, visiting a distillery, and starting the day with coffee at a local cafe are just some of the ways you can help preserve and improve the county’s environment during the community’s annual day of giving, ExtraGive, on Nov. 17.
You can see all the nonprofits, including all the environmental groups, participating in the day of giving this year at extragive.org. The minimum donation for Extra-Give is $10, and ExtraGive Day is a particularly impactful time to give — participating organizations receive a share of “stretch pool” funds from event sponsors that is proportional to that organization’s number of unique donors.
Here are some environmentally-minded organizations hosting related events during ExtraGive:
Reducing county’s carbon footprint Local nonprofit RegenAll, which was incorporated in 2021, is still a newcomer amid the county’s many well-established environmental organizations. The nonprofit provides information, resources, and technical services to individuals and businesses in Lancaster County seeking to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and expand their use of renewable energy.
Roberto Flores of Teti Farms Inc. plants a tree along a tributary to Pequea Creek in Leacock Township on Oct. 24. Teti Farms Inc. is a contractor for Stroud Water Research Center, one of the environmental organizations seeking support during ExtraGive. BLAINE SHAHAN | FILE PHOTO
ExtraGive: Focus on environmental groups looking for supporters
RegenAll hopes to build momentum early during ExtraGive, encouraging supporters to donate to their “Wake Up to the Climate Crisis, and Be Part of the Solution” giving campaign between 7 and 8 a.m.
“We want friends and supporters of RegenAll to donate during that time to show support for climate action in Lancaster County and hopefully bring more exposure to our mission through the ExtraGive leaderboard rankings,” RegenAll spokesperson Laura Brenner said in an email.
Commons Co. — the parent company behind Prince Street Cafe Lancaster, Passenger Coffee & Tea Showroom, and Passenger Roastery & Coffee Bar — also is supporting RegenAll on Nov. 17 by donating a portion of its profits from the day’s sales to the nonprofit. Once a month, the nonprofit hosts a Carbon Neutral Coffee to bring together business leaders, sustainability experts, and residents to discuss local solutions to the climate crisis.
Information on that series and other RegenAll events can be found at regenall.org/ event.
To donate: Go to lanc. news/ExtraGiveRegenAll.
Advancing clean water science
The Avondale-based Stroud Water Research Center supports research, education, and watershed restoration efforts in Lancaster County. Its annual efforts include securing about $2 million for farmers and landowners to improve their land management and planting more than 16,000 trees.
The center also delivers education programs for students and teachers who want to better understand freshwater ecosystems, and it monitors stream health as part of its ongoing research work.
During ExtraGive, the center will host a celebration from 5–10 p.m. at the Burley Bar and Restaurant at Thistle Finch Distillery, located at 417 W. Grant St. in Lancaster City.
Guests can join free distillery tours 6–8 p.m. that highlight the role of clean fresh water in making whiskey and other spirits. Guests can also purchase a signature cocktail to benefit the center, participate in free raffles, and eat light hors d’oeuvres. More information is available at lanc.news/ StroudThistleFinch. To donate: Go to lanc. news/ExtraGiveStroud.
Protecting habitat and making nature accessible
The Lancaster Conservancy protects natural lands in Lancaster, York, and Berks counties. The nonprofit restores forested lands, wetlands, stream corridors, and upland habitats. It works to preserve and maintain natural habitats and to provide the public with better access to nature.
CEO Fritz Schroeder said the conservancy currently protects more than 10,000 acres, with 7,200 acres under management and open to the public across 50 nature preserves and 45-plus miles of hiking trails. He said ExtraGive is a chance to better educate the public.
“They may love Kellys Run or Clark Nature Preserve, but they may not know much about the Lancaster Conservancy,” Schroeder said. The conservancy is hosting a “Save Woods and Water” celebration at Luca, located at 436 W. James St. in Lancaster City, from 5–9 p.m. during ExtraGive. Guests can enjoy food, plus one free drink ticket and a DJ performance. Conservancy staff will be present to answer any questions about the organization’s work. For more information on the event, go to lanc.news/ ConservancyLuca. To donate: Go to lanc. news/ ExtraGiveConservancy.
Many others seek donations In addition to the three groups spotlighted above, there are many other environmental groups open to donations during ExtraGive, including Acorn Acres Wild-life Rehabilitation, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Clean Water Fund run through the Lancaster County Community Foundation, Donegal Trout Unlimited, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, Sierra Club, Susquehanna National Heritage Area, The Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Wildlife in Need Emergency Response Pennsylvania and Wolf Sanctuary of PA.
Article Source: Lancaster Online