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

Whose Lake Is It Anyway?
Fran Bires

As I wrote this on Thursday afternoon, there were gale warnings on the Gulf and we were under a tornado watch. The rain "they" were predicting all day had finally begun. But the night passed uneventfully and all is well once again, if a bit windy. Here's to a calm weekend for us all.

Our masthead features a photo you'll definitely need to click to see in all its glory! Taken by Friends of Goddard Treasurer Fran Bires last week, he said he had to "max out" his lens to get the shot. Looks pretty sharp to me, albeit not quite as sharp as those talons!

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation

News of Note

The winning photographs in the 2019 Parks & Forests Through the Seasons Photo Contest have been hung in the state capitol! I was sorry I could not be there to meet some of the photographers at the opening reception on Monday afternoon. It must be a thrill to see your work hanging in such a beautiful location.

Pay the photos a visit in the East Wing Rotunda between now and the end of the month. Sarah's working on confirming other locations for the gallery throughout the summer and fall so stay tuned for your chance to visit them locally as well. And don't forget that the 2020 contest is open for business. Visit PAParksAndForests.org/Get-Involved/Photo-Contest for the rules and guidelines.

We added a blog to the EarthDay50PA.org website with a plan to feature stories from people who participated in the first Earth Day or who have memories of how the event or environmental movement has developed over the years. First up is Richard Lewis, immediate past President of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association and Vice President of the Fish & Boat Commission.

Not too long ago I bought a peppermint shampoo bar - my favorite scent for soap and shampoo - as a way to cut down on some of the single-use plastic that seems to be taking over our lives. How neat that we have been able to track down a way to make my own when this one runs out. Check out the Simple Life Mom blog. #EarthDay50

Hey, wait! No peppermint recipe? I'll have to remedy that omission!

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's #TrailTuesday from the Bureau of State Parks is the Sand Spring Trail at Hickory Run State Park. Love those rhododendron.

The Stairway Lake Trail at Stairway Lake Wild Area looks like a ... rush!

We're with you, kiddo! Every PPFF staff or board retreat, picnic, or other official excursion always includes a tree hug. She's learning well - at Kooser State Park.

Here's a lovely pair of owls tucked into the trees at Presque Isle State Park. The post says they are ready for nesting season. I believe I see a Brian Berchtold credit hidden there with them.

At Work and Play in the Parks and Forests

If it's a "winter sports" event, you are advised to contact the park or forest just to make sure. Contact information is available at the linked event.

REGION	PLACE	DATE	TIME	EVENT
North	Hills Creek State Park	2/8/2020	9:00 AM	Winter Fun - Sled, Cross County Ski, Skate, Snowshoe...
South	Codorus State Park	2/8/2020	10:00 AM	Winter Walk
East	Delaware Canal State Park	2/8/20	5:00 PM	Full Moon Towpath Trek
West	Presque Isle State Park	2/2/2020	10:00 AM	Moonlight Snowshoe Hike

Be sure to check for any registration requirements (there are some on occasion).

A LOOK AHEAD TO EVENTS COMING UP

February 22 - Otter Watch at Cook Forest State Park
February 22 - Washington's Birthday Hikes at Jennings Environmental Education Center (link is to one of a slate of hikes - register ahead)
March 8 - Full Moon Townpath Trek at Delaware Canal State Park (in case you miss this month's)
March 14 - Woodpecker Wander at Canoe Creek State Park

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

It really isn't fair to call last week's question a "trivia" quesion because the (at least) three benefits to a forested watershed are hardly trivial! Nonethess, correct responses include: removal of pollutants, reduction of run-off, erosion and flood control, shelter for wildlife, dispersal of rainwater for slow absorption of it into the soil. And, as Mary Jo and several others reported, they are beautiful!

Congratulations to Darwin (not Charles Darwin, mind you) who takes the January prize, a state parks calendar for 2020.

Let's begin February with a little fact I gleaned while looking for photos for this week's issue. Laurel Hill State Park is celebrating its 75th birthday this year. What was its beginnings?

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. 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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