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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests

Copperas Rock
Photo by Jarhed Szalkowski

By now you will have heard that the state parks and forests closure has been extended through the end of April. The infection rate is rising; more businesses are closed; and more of us, myself and Bill included, are practicing self-quarantine. Having traveled, we want to keep our neighbors safe from anything we might have picked up on the way home. We don't think there is anything, but we do believe better safe than sorry.

As a result, my return to Confluence is not yet a return to morning walks with my friends and their precious pups. I strolled alone to the Ramcat boat launch today on a foggy spring morning.

The masthead is a gift to all you geology fiends (and you know who you are). Copperas Rock in Trough Creek State Park is but one of the lovely formations there you'll be able to visit when the dust and viruses settle. Jarhed says that there were signs of spring to be found.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation

News of Note

Here is a message from our president, Marci Mowery, on how COVID-19 has affected our state parks and forests and PPFF. Time spent outdoors is allowed but we must take precautions to keep everyone safe. If we all do our part to practice social distancing, we can get back to enjoying our shared spaces.

There is so much that is good and fun being shared right now on Mr. Internet to keep the kids (and ourselves) busy. From free online yoga (actually, my gal Adriene is always free) and workout sessions, to learning, museum tours, daily concerts from our favorite musicians (just Google yours) and this fun drawing lesson. The Gregosaurus. [I am doing this today! (Anything to keep from having to reorganize Bill's library - a task I have been promising to do since we moved our work spaces into our home from a rented office ... six (?) years ago!]

What have you found online to tickle your fancy? Check out In Closing below for one idea!

Or maybe you have been getting outside regularly. The Pictures of the Week will demonstrate that - and we share your absolute need to get outdoors. But allow me to give you this reminder please!

Be Safe in the Outdoors

Stay home if you are sick
Visit low-use areas
Keep a social distance (as demonstrated here by DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn)
Keep hands close
Wash your hands
Do low-risk activities
Carry out all waste

Interestingly enough, many of these bits of advice easily apply when the virus has been eradicated!

We got past the deadline for Bonfire shirts but sales are still going strong so we've extended it. This beautiful hoodie could be yours!

Please place your order at https://www.bonfire.com/our-trees-need-you/ and help fund the purchase of trees for our state parks and forests. We need $600,000 and every seed could become a sapling - and beyond!

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 little dude practices social distancing as a way of life. Thanks to Michael Kensinger on the PA Hiking & Backpacking page. Location unknown.

We'll call this one "mud and buds" at Evansburg State Park. Definite signs of spring! Christy Holland, photographer.

Beautiful bright day along the Lake Shore Trail at Shawnee State Park as captured by good friend Samantha Markovich.

The pup is practicing safe social distancing from photographer Douglas Clifford at Little Buffalo State Park.

Where Are We?

Red boxes denote photo locations. Give a click to a bigger version.

Take Five for Trivia

We got some great suggestions for books to add to the Earth Day 50 reading list - I need to get that taken care of soon! It's nice to think that we have a little time to read now; nicer still to hope we'll take a little additional time when all of this has past. I think the submission that may have intrigued me most from the entries is the Woodswoman series by Anne LaBastille. It looks like great story-telling!

Let's close out March (which does seem to be going out like a lamb at least weather-wise) with a salute to our feathered friends. Do baby birds babble?

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.

In Closing

Let's play Bingo! Go to the PPFF Facebook page and find out more.

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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