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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests
Pinchot Lake
Friends of Pinchot
Thanks for the website feedback. I have compiled the responses received and, well, it seems like we're doing pretty good. We KNOW we're too wordy so we hope the refresh is going to be a lot more picture heavy. Congratulations to Mike L., our random winner of a prize from the closet. 

The masthead photo again this week is a month or so old but sometimes things bubble to the surface when you're looking for other things. Thus is it with this photo from the Friends of Pinchot's Facebook page. The lake freezes, the lake melts. Pretty!

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation

News of Note


Love, love, love this radar post from the National Weather Service in Key West. Normally all that green on radar would be rain but in this instance it's migratory birds. Click the photo to visit the video and Facebook post. 

Other interesting posts that came in over the transom this week included "Project Remote," the blog of a small family from right here in the little corner of Florida where I am presently located. The Means family are on a quest to document the remotest places in each of the 50 states. Seems like a good idea to get 'em before they're gone. 

You may recall that a few months ago (although it seems longer), we talked about the drawdown of the lake at Whipple Dam State Park in preparation for dredging accumulated sedimentation (to the tune of 42,000 cubic yards of gunk). The time has come for that dredging to begin and the picnic areas and parking areas of the park are closed until further notice to accommodate lots of big machines the people who operate them. Parking will be permitted along Laurel Run Road for access to the Rothrock State Forest.

A grant from the Overlook Estate Foundation and support from PPFF donors mean that with the coming of spring a new play area at Lackawanna State Park will be filled with laughter. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them - and when that play is in the outdoors? So much the better! Thank you for making it happen!
 

A word you never want to hear in conjunction with one of Pennsylvania's special places is "ominous." But that is the word used this week in discussing conditions at Presque Isle State Park brought on by continued high levels of erosion and a lack of ice that protects the beaches from being battered by high tides. 

The effects of climate change on one of the state's biggest tourist destinations is but a taste of the challenges ahead. Funding to replenish the washed away beaches is down; water is up. Our parks and forests would benefit from increased investments not only to address climate impacts, but the billion dollars in maintenance needs.

#ProtectPAParksForests  #EarthDay50PA

Pictures of the Week

Click each photo to see the original. Thanks to all the photographers and state park and forest fans who share their joy in these wonderful places. Share yours anywhere with #PPFFTakeFive.
This week #TrailTuesday from the Bureau of State Parks is the Little Cherry Run Trail at Ricketts Clen State Park. The word for the day is "hemlocks!"
Oil Creek was a frosty place when photographer Harry Dilley, Jr. paid it a visit this week. Check out the Friends of Oil Creek's Facebook page for the other photos of his adventure. 
Here's a good place in the Michaux State Forest for testing your balance and nerve. Photo © Keith Warren.
Speaking of testing your balance and nerve! little gem of a "trail" is called Knife Edge and you can find it on the Appalachian Trail north of Route 309 between the bustling towns of Snyders and New Tripoli in Schuylkill County. Photo © Steve Marenski.
This is just an insane shot posted to Hiking & Backpacking Pennsylvania by Patti Hinkle. A horde of migratory snow geese taken by husband Dan at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area near Kleinfeltersville. 

At Work and Play in the Parks and Forests

A few Saturday excursions and another look ahead to next Friday evening. 
REGION PLACE DATE TIME EVENT
North Lyman Run State Park 2/22/2020 9:00 AM Winter Adventure Hike #2
South Whipple Dam State Park 2/22/2020 11:00 AM Walk Around Whipple Dam (The State Parks of Rothrock)
East Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center  2/28/2020 7:30 PM Impact of the Hudson River School
West Forbes State Forest 2/22/2020 11:00 AM Snowshoes & Brews

Be sure to check for any registration requirements (there are some on occasion).
A LOOK AHEAD TO EVENTS COMING UP 
 

These and other fun events and fulfilling volunteer opportunities can be found on the PPFF events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events. Bookmark them and you'll never miss the boat (or hike or festival).

Take Five for Trivia

Last week's trivia question was popular with a lot of very sweet people, all of whom seemed to know that it takes between 40 and 50 gallons of sap to make a gallon of maple syrup. I even heard from at least two people who tap their backyard trees, and a tapper-to-be as well. I feel like a baby bird sitting here with my mouth open waiting for some of that syrup to drip by!

This week there's no doubt I have to follow up the story above on Project Remote with the obvious question: Where does the Means family believe is Pennsylvania's remotest spot? (And do you agree?)

Send your answer to me and I'll enter you into the month's random drawing for a goodie from the prize closet if you answer correctly. Enter each week for more chances to win.

Where Are We?

Places boxed in red are from photos and calendar listings; the white boxes illustrate the "upcoming" events. Green boxes show the approximate location of the harder to pinpoint places. Click the map to make it larger and more legible.

In Closing

Be sure to register in advance to avoid disappointment!
SUPPORT PPFF
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of PPFF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within Pennsylvania, to 800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
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Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
704 Lisburn Road | Suite 102 | Camp Hill, PA 17011 | 717.236.7644

   
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