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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests
Making Our Way
Evan Sanders - Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
Hard to believe that February is coming to a close. It feels as though we were just talking about the groundhog a minute ago. But March marches on, and here we go. Not without taking a little leap of faith tomorrow, though. What shall we do with our extra day? Let us know.

A week or two old but nevertheless notable is the masthead by Evan Sanders on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. It's so quiet, isn't it?

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
 

News of Note

Bad news, good news from the field this week. Someone stole the Kettle Creek State Park sign and at Ohiopyle State Park word came that someone had splattered the Ferncliff Peninsula with graffiti. I refuse to include the photographs as this senseless vandalism does not deserve further mention. What DOES deserve mention is the quick response of staff and volunteers who got out there with the aptly-named cleaning solution "elephant snot" and got things on the road to recovery.

Nevertheless, anyone who hears of anyone bragging about how they tagged Ohiopyle should contact the park at 724-329-8591 and pass on the tip. Ditto setting fires, or stealing park signs.

Money is short in these places and it should NOT have to be spent rectifying the ignorance and selfishness of others. Thank you from all of the rest of us.

Speaking of thank yous from all of us, Sarah put together a "year in review" retrospective video looking back on all the good stuff you helped us accomplish in 2019. Take a gander at it on our YouTube channel.

What do you mean you didn't know we have a YouTube channel? Well, yes, we do. It has some fun stuff on there including a rare look at the view from the Hopewell Fire Tower. 

Lots of eagle activity is being reported.  You'll recall my featuring Friends of Goddard's Fran Bires' shot from the park of a pair of eagles a few weeks ago. He got in touch to report that eagle activity has gone bananas up there. Seventy-one eagles were counted last weekend; he's been there with 34. Amazing. And, of course, there are the webcams, including one trained on the Hanover eagles near Codorus State Park shown here and the Hays nest near Pittsburgh (where it was snowing when I just checked in a few moments ago and two eggs are being incubated).

I've been busily adding events to the EarthDay50PA website including a bunch from Pittsburgh Earth Day, the event organizer in the Steel City. There are some very cool opportunities out there for green celebrating, including a farm to table dinner and green fashion show. Fun! Be sure to bookmark the website calendar because you never know what's going to be popping up!

#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.
Shawnee State Park's lovely Lake Shore Trail's beautiful views should inspire an excursion on even the chilliest February day. 
Intriguing, no? The Rocky Corner Trail. What with PA being famous for being rocky, we should be grateful that it's just the "corner" that qualifies. 
Clear and crisp at Linn Run State Park from Justin James Coles and the Exploring PA Parks & Forests Facebook group. It's a nice place to spend time.
This is simply a "just because." Just because I love white pines and snow.

Not far away from Justin's photo at Linn Run; this was the Forbes State Forest's first Tree Species Tuesday post back in November. The series just wrapped up on their Facebook page so check out the whole bunch.

At Work and Play in the Parks and Forests

Here are a few opportunities to enjoy Leap Weekend. And for a great way to kick off March, check out the Friends of Canoe Creek's annual Mountain Pie Madness event on Sunday afternoon. It's always great fun!
REGION PLACE DATE TIME EVENT
North Black Moshannon State Park 2/29/2020 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM Photography Tour
South Forbes State Forest 2/29/2020 10:00 AM Snowshoeing for Beginners
East Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center  3/1/2020 10:00 AM Cabin Fever Hike
West Kooser State Park 2/29/2020 10:00 AM Cross Country Skiing Basics

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

For all you runner types, registration is opening for several events coming up this spring and summer

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

The best answer to last week's trivia question on Pennsylvania's remotest spot came from Bob R., who answered "Harrisburg." We agreed it seems that way at times. But in truth, the Means family of Project Remote says our remotest spot is the Hammersley Wild Area in the Susquehannock State Forest. Certainly this (as always) gorgeous shot by Curt Weinhold (we are proud to say a member of the Friends of Lyman Run) gives off a definite remote vibe!

For the final question of February, there is an interesting theory as to how Kettle Creek (for which the state park is named) got its name. What is it?

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. Iin the case of Bald Eagle State Forest and the Rocky Corner, the listing states that it goes out of R.B. Winter State Park so you should shift that particular red box a little east. Click the map to make it larger and more legible.

In Closing

 
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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