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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests
Enjoying the View - Tiadaghton State Forest
Photo by Curt Weinhold 
Okay, I know it's a sign of aging that I keep saying to you that "this week just flew by and I don't know how." But this week just flew by ...

Lots of the leaves flew off the trees, too, in the face of the  wild winds of Tuesday (would have been so much better for purposes of alliteration had that been on Wednesday) but there is still plenty of color to enjoy here in the Laurel Highlands. Pop on your mask, hop in the car, and come out for a drive.

On Thursday afternoon, we participated in a legislative caucus meeting and Representative Clint Owlett from up in the Wilds noted that the color is beautiful in the Grand Canyon and invited us all up for a visit. Thanks to photographer Curt Weinhold and this gorgeous masthead shot from a Tiadaghton State Forest hike this week, we see that Representative Owlett is quite correct!
Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation

News of Note

Should you find yourself with a few hours to spend on Thursday morning, join us at Canoe Creek State Park for a little tree planting. We have about a dozen trees to get into the ground, thanks to the generous support of REI and donors to our Year of the Trees campaign. We'll be meeting at about 10:00 at the park office.

Marci and Joe were campground hosting at Little Pine State Park this week and worked with the enthusiastic staff there to plant 19 trees. The staff was very appreciative of your support, as they have been wanting to plant trees for some time but didn't have the funds. While there is still a need for more trees, the 19 that were planted were large and healthy, so they made an immediate impact. Campers were also very grateful! 

REI's annual #OptOutside project is the subject of last week's Lunch & Learn which, I apologize, I neglected to mention ahead of time. But catch up and meet REI Outreach Specialist Amanda Galvan in the recorded version. And you can meet Amanda in person at our Canoe Creek tree planting. 

Pictures of the Week

Narrowing down photos for this week's Pictures of the Week was nearly impossible. I never ventured any farther than the Exploring PA Parks & Forests Facebook page and this is merely a sample. 
In general, I am the first to admit that I cannot remember what "last fall" was like when the next one rolls around but I could swear that it's been several years since we have had the reds and oranges we are seeing so far. Thanks to Patricia Anderson for capturing the kind of transformation I'm finding so thrilling. This was Pymatuning State Park this week. 
Here's lovely Greenwood Furnace State Park from Bill Sisson. If you've not been to GFSP, you really ought to put it on your list. There is just so much to see here. And this view becomes this week's jigsaw puzzle
Hope springs eternal that eventually the money will be found to restore Denton Hill State Park. Until then, Douglas Clifford calls it his "favorite abandoned ski/state park."
Steph Beichner posted several shots from a day spent walking through the PA Wilds. So I'm not sure exactly where this beauty is, but the perspective is great and the tree huggable.

At Work and Play in the Parks and Forests

If you were to guess the theme of many parks events these days, I imagine you would think "leaves" and "trees" and "hiking." You would not be wrong. But that's not all.
REGION PLACE DATE TIME EVENT
North Bald Eagle State Park 10/10/2020 9:00 AM Fall Clean-Up Day
South Cowans Gap State Park 10/11/2020 3:00 PM Fall Hike to the Overlook
East Promised Land State Park 10/11/2020 5:00 PM Beaver Fever
West Moraine State Park 10/10/2020 2:00 PM Fall Foliage Kayak Float

Early November Adventure 


Things begin to slow down on the calendar come November but a few events are still listed to pique your curiosity. The first Saturday of November (11/7) is a great time for environmental education.

See You Later, Hibernator. Canoe Creek State Park.
National Hug a Bear Day. Ridley Creek State Park.
Little Naturalist Story Time. Prince Gallitzin State Park. 
Growing Up WILD, Training for At Home Teaching. Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.

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 pedal).

Here are two "had to share" bonus photos. On the left is a shot Marci took at Little Pine during her visit. Isn't that just a tranquil spot? On the right, neighbor Jonathan McCulley paid a visit to Ohiopyle State Park this week and discovered that the normally "enthusiastic" Cucumber Falls is right now barely a trickle. Certainly the wet spring has now given way completely. Please be careful with fire!

Take Five for Trivia

Alas, yes, many of you read that when deer wear a gray coat in October it means a hard winter ahead. Certainly Bill and I hope that the little doe that lives across Ramcat Road in her gray overcoat is a little liar since we will probably not be heading to Florida this winter. 

A very special Pennsylvanian turns 376 years old on October 14th. When he got here he famously advised those who joined him that one acre of trees should be left for every five cleared. Who was this visionary gent? (Perhaps a donation to the Year of the Trees fund would be a great way to celebrate!)

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; white boxes illustrate the November events. And Canoe Creek is a combo - pink! Click it to see it bigger.

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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