CLUS Annual Report

You've read this phrase often: we are living in unprecedented times. Despite the uncertainty and fear that surrounds us, the  Center for Land Use and Sustainability  (CLUS) at Shippensburg University stands strong. Like a forest, we find strength in our diversity and reach new heights through our collective energies. We are continuing to foster healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities through applied research, experiential learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary, cross-sector partnerships.

This past year was transformative for the CLUS. Working with our  Affiliate Scholars ,  Student Fellows , and some key administrators, we articulated a new mission, vision, and values to guide our work. We finalized and began implementation of our  2020-2025 Strategic Plan . Shippensburg University is demonstrating a commitment to the community and CLUS by investing in our staff and a new location in downtown Shippensburg to strengthen our ties between campus and the community.

Over the course of the past academic year, we supported 12 undergraduate and graduate students, representing Geoenvironmental Studies, Organizational Development and Leadership, Biology, Sociology, Political Science, and French/Sustainability. Seven faculty members from Geography-Earth Science, Social Work and Gerontology, and Sociology supported student work and oversaw a dozen grants and contracts totalling $300,000.

Despite the global pandemic, we ended the year strong by completing a number of  research projects  that supported Cumberland County, the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, the South Mountain Partnership, and others. We continue to develop new projects and partnerships, working collaboratively to foster sustainability, justice, and equity in our communities while supporting student success and providing opportunities to strengthen and highlight professional excellence.

As we  Navigate to Fall 2020  and continue to live with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the future will no doubt bring challenges. We applaud and support the work of our partners, including the  Cumberland County Food System Alliance  and  Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition , who provide crucial access to resources during this difficult time. The CLUS is exploring our potential role in promoting economic revitalization as our region emerges from this crisis. In the longer term, our work is focused on regional Climate Action Planning and climate resiliency, through the recent signing of the  Campus Climate Commitment  by President Carter and partnerships with the Department of Environmental Protection and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. All of these initiatives strengthen our communities while providing hands-on opportunities for students to learn and apply their coursework to the real world.

Before closing out this letter, I want to gratefully acknowledge the support of two colleagues. Dr. William Blewett, the former chair of the Department of Geography-Earth Science, recently retired. Bill's vision, guidance, and resolute support for the CLUS has been a key part of our success. Dr. James Mike, the College of Arts and Sciences Dean, has been a tireless champion for the CLUS, and will take on a new role in December 2020 as the first permanent Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. Words cannot convey how thankful I am for Bill and Jim. We would not have come this far without their hard work and dedication and wish them all the best.

Take good care,

Dr. Claire Jantz

One of the biggest successes in the 2019-2020 academic year was the completion of the  2020-2025 CLUS Strategic Plan . Alumni, students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners contributed to the strategic planning process. Through conversations and surveys, a new  mission, vision, and values  were articulated to guide the work of the CLUS. Five goals and associated strategies were identified for the next five years:

1. Support the growth of healthy, vibrant, sustainable communities throughout pennsylvania and beyond
2. Foster experiences and facilitate development of diverse skills and knowledge that prepare students to pursue meaningful career pathways
3. Connect affiliate scholars to the community through research and partnerships that advance interdisciplinary, sustainable solutions
4. Elevate Shippensburg University’s regional leadership role in sustainability and technology
5. Build the Center’s organizational resilience and financial sustainability

Explore our interactive story map for a summary of these goals and strategies, or read the full  2020-2025 CLUS Strategic Plan .

On the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Shippensburg University President Laurie Carter signed  The Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments , integrating on-campus carbon neutrality planning with supporting community climate resiliency efforts.

The CLUS is supporting the Climate Commitment by providing expertise and working with community partners, including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the  South Mountain Partnership , and  Michaux State Forest .

Other climate related initiatives include a  Climate Change Series , launched in Fall 2019 as a forum for members of the public and municipal officials to learn about climate change. The recordings are available online for our first presentations, “Introduction to Climate Change” by Dr. Tim Hawkins and “Impacts on Forestry and Wildlife” by Dr. Benjamin Jones, Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society. Future topics may include the degradation of unique ecological and biological sites, distribution patterns for wildlife and plant species, potential climate-induced human health risks, and increased severe weather events. Learn more about our  events  and how we support  Sustainability and Climate Resilience .

The CLUS supports science-based solutions to interdisciplinary sustainability challenges. We aim to improve environmental and community conditions through collaborations from local, regional and global organizations and businesses. View recent projects and collaborations below, which illustrate the nature and significance of our work. Project areas include:  Land Use Planning & Decision Support ,  Sustainability and Climate Resilience , and  Capacity Building .

CLUS Affiliate Scholars and Student Fellows completed research reports, conducted presentations, and produced publications over the course of the year. Below is a listing of the many scholarship efforts through the CLUS from 2019-2020.

• Feeney, A. 2020. Pennsylvania's Emerging Cider Industry and Its Contribution to Artisan Beverages and Sustainable Agritourism. Center for Rural Pennsylvania.  Full Report .
• Hallahan, N. 2020. Study of Solar Panel Canopies over Parking Lots on Shippensburg University's Campus. Student Research Paper.
• Hawkins, T., C. Woltemade. 2019. Impact of projected 21st century climate change on basin hydrology and runoff in the Delaware River Basin, USA. Journal of Water and Climate Change.
• Jantz, C. 2019. Assessing natural resources for the Appalachian Trail. A.T. Landscape Partnership. Shepherdstown, WV.
• Jantz, C. 2019. Land use dynamics, climate change, and hydrologic processes in the Delaware River Basin. University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science - Appalachian Lab. Frostburg, MD.
• Jantz, C.A. 2020. A Review of Land Cover Data Products for the Delaware River Basin. Report to the William Penn Foundation. Available at:  https://drbproject.org/documents/ .
• Jantz, C., A. Price. 2020. 2020-2025 Center for Land Use and Sustainability Strategic Plan.  PDF Version  or  Visual Summary .
• Jantz, C., M. Ostap, E. Benish. 2020. Housing Affordability in Cumberland County. Final Report available upon request.
• Jantz, C., C. Weiser, A. Price. 2019. Antrim Township Solar Infrastructure Assessment.  Final Report .
• Jantz, C., C. Weiser, A. Price, J. McCune, C. Slye. 2019. Antrim Township (and Greencastle Borough) Solar Infrastructure Assessment. Antrim Township Board of Supervisors. Greencastle, PA.  Presentation Slides .
• Price, A., C. Jantz. 2020. South Mountain Research Corps and Science Summit. Year One Pilot- Findings and Recommendations. Final Report available upon request.
• Shatzer, A., Y. Yang, A. Price, C. Jantz. 2019. The Kittatinny Ridge Recognition and Cultural Identification Survey. Center for Social Research @ Ship. Shippensburg University, PA.  Presentation Slides . 
• Woltemade, C., T. Hawkins, C. Jantz, and S. Drzyzga. 2020. In Press. Impact of Changing Climate and Land Cover on Flood Magnitudes in the Delaware River Basin, USA. Journal of the American Water Resources Association.
• Yáñez Morillo, A., C. Jantz. 2020. The effects of future urbanization and energy infrastructure expansion on forest fragmentation.  International Association of Landscape Ecology-North America Annual Meeting . Toronto, Ontario, Canada (virtual conference).  iPoster  or  PDF . 
• Yáñez Morillo, A., C. Jantz. 2019. The effects of future urbanization and energy infrastructure expansion on forest fragmentation.  Delaware Watershed Research Conference . Philadelphia, PA.  Presentation Slides . 
• Yang, Y., C. Jantz, A. Price, A. Shatzer. 2019. Key findings from the “Kittatinny Ridge Recognition and Cultural Identification Survey.” Presentation Slides and Final Report available upon request.

Over the past year, CLUS research and initiatives generated recognition in the  media  and through our partners. Highlights include the following:

• The CLUS was recognized as the Partner of the Year in 2019 by the  Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association , based on the collaboration “ A Long Way with Many Bends ,” a visual story of the creek and watershed.
• CLUS Student Fellows Troy Alleman and Cameron Weiser were recognized as  regional award winners  in the volunteer showcase as “impressive interns” through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). While this work was not directly tied to CLUS projects, we are proud of our students and their continued success.
• Dr. Claire Jantz was recognized as  2020 Campus Sustainability Champion  by the Pennsylvania Environmental Resources Consortium for her work championing sustainability on campus and in the community. Claire was also recognized as Pumpkin Queen at the 2019 Fall Furnace Fest at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
• CLUS Research Analyst, Alfonso Yáñez Morillo, and CLUS Affiliate Scholar Dr. Kurt Fuellhart (Geography-Earth Science) both recently became FAA certified remote Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilots. This will add capacity to the center and opportunities for students to learn more about flying drones. Alfonso and his family also became U.S. Citizens in February 2020!

From 2019-2020, the CLUS secured seven grants and contracts, totaling $278,000. This work includes a Land Protection Impact Assessment (Open Space Institute), Needs Assessment for the Delaware River Basin (William Penn Foundation), Cumberland County Housing Assessment (Cumberland County Affordable Housing Trust Fund), Administrative Support for the Cumberland County Food System Alliance (Partnership for Better Health), Educational Outreach for the Brewing Industry (Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board), Educational Outreach for Hops Used in the Brewing Industry (PA Department of Agriculture), and Knotweed Management for Recreation and Habitat in the Upper Delaware River (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation).

The CLUS received $325,236.81 over the course of the year, more than balancing the $305,225.18 expenses. This net positive investment demonstrates the success of the CLUS. Outstanding income is used to support students and extend staff contracts.

As we look to the coming year, we are excited about new opportunities and our move to downtown Shippensburg.  Follow us  on Social Media (@ShipCLUS), on our  website , and through our  newsletter  for updates. We encourage you to  donate to the CLUS  to support student participation and the important work we do in our community. Thank you for your support!