Our mission: To inspire stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.


We're late today (yes, Pam, we noticed) but the last two days have been spent at Scenic View at Laurel Hill at our annual board retreat. Thanks to this great, engaged group of people for all they do for PPFF - and YOU! You don't even know them, although you should; they are passionate advocates for the places we all love. 

Nope. No Perseids last weekend. Too cloudy but, thankfully, down here in Confluence we managed to miss the worst of the rain as well. Definitely thinking good thoughts for all of you water-logged friends across the state!

This week's masthead is actually an "oldie but goodie." Facebook's new algorithms seems to be unearthing older photos from many of the park/forest pages and this one from Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center was actually posted all the way back in May 2013. Nice!



Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator


News of note
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Happy to share a neat video from our friends (and this year's President's Awardees) in the PA Wilds. Time to pay a visit, no?

Interested in hearing a little more about the Youghiogheny River and conservation efforts surrounding its protection? Come out to the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape's Speaker's Series on September 6 to hear Youghiogheny Riverkeeper Eric Harder - and enjoy the fruits of the vine at Vin de Matrix Winery. RSVP to the PA Environmental Council before August 31.

Don't forget the 2017 photo contest gallery showcase of winners is on display at Canoe Creek State Park this month - with a looming deadline of September 5 for you to get your entries in this year's contest.

Are you a social media whiz? The Friends of Greenwood Furnace are looking for someone to serve as their Social Media Coordinator. With such events as the Whipple Lake Summer Concert Series and the Polar Plunge growing in popularity, the Friends are looking for someone to help them grow them even further. This volunteer position involves starting a Facebook page, maintaining email list-serve and helping advertise upcoming events. Expected time commitment two hours/month. Visit the Friends website at: www.friendsofgreenwoodparks.org and if you are interested contact Mike at greenwoodfriend@gmail.com.



At work and play in the parks and forests

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We have some very busy friends groups this weekend so all of this information is coming to you from the PPFF events calendar and our East/West/Central delineation Check DCNR's Calendar of Events for other great fun broken down North/South/East/West. And let us know which break-out you prefer.

East

The Friends of Lyman Run host a Dutch oven cooking class Saturday evening beginning at 5:00 PM. A small $5 registration fee covers the cost of the course and supports the programs (like this one) hosted by the Friends. Register today! If you might this one, the Friends host a second evening on September 15.

Head out to Starry Nights at the Top of the Mountain at Big Pocono State Park at 8:00 PM on Saturday evening. Clear skies once again on our wish list!

On Sunday morning the Friends of Nockamixon invite you out to try your hand at geocaching. A few GPS units will be available to borrow from the park, but you have to reserve one. 

West

Big doings on Saturday and Sunday with the Friends of Laurel Hill's annual Bluegrass Festival. The full line-up each day is available on the Festival website. Food and fun are plentiful; admission is free! An integral part of bluegrass weekend is the Mountain Laurel 5k on Sunday morning. Registration will be available on-site.

Classic cars will sparkle in the sun at the 5th annual Summer Car Show sponsored by the Friends of Keystone. Are you a bowtie, Mopar, or Ford fan? Come out and compare the rides.

Central

The Friends of Parker Dam are hosting a twice monthly hiking get together and the first Saturday excursion is tomorrow morning at 9:00. See the full schedule on our calendar or the Friends' Facebook page.

A little later on Saturday morning, the Friends of Cowans Gap host another Art in the Park class with instruction in watercolor by Nancy Mendes.

Papaya makes their first appearance at Music on the Beach hosted by the Friends of Greenwood Furnace at Whipple Dam State Park Saturday evening. This is the last show of the season so let's make it a great one!

Sunday morning another Yoga on the Terrace hosted by the Friends of Kings Gap will stretch you out and make you feel ready for anything (like maybe a hike down the mountain to Pine Grove Furnace).


No matter what region of the commonwealth you want to visit, our website Events and the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to see and do. Bookmark them!

Picture of the week

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I usually make it a Policy to have the "Picture of the week" show something positive and beautiful but sometimes the circumstances warrant something breathtaking in another way entirely. This still is from a video shot by Sadie Lewis at Worlds End State Park of the beach - or lack thereof - this week.

Quasquicentennial Happenings

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The role of music over the years in Pennsylvania forms the background of a program Saturday evening by performer Paula Purnell at Prince Gallitzin State Park. A lot of music is made in our parks and forests so this is a fitting celebration of the anniversary.

Take five for trivia

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Readers discovered several nicknames for the CCC including the most famous one - Roosevelt's Tree Army. Other great ones? Tree Troopers, Woodpecker Warriors, and my favorite - Colossal College of Calluses! No matter what you call them, these Boys were the Champions of Conservation.

Everyone always seems to think bigger is better, right? This week perhaps you can tell me what Pennsylvania's smallest state park might be. 

Send in your answer and we'll enter your correct response into our monthly prize drawing. All correct answers each week will go into the hat and at the end of the month we'll draw one lucky winner. The more correct answers you submit in a month (up to four or the occasional five depending on the month), the more chances you'll have to win.

In closing
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Photo by Jiang Ming, Cherry Springs State Park.
2017 Parks & Forests Through the Seasons photo contest winner.



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.


Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare and 1% for the Planet and is a Gold GuideStar Participant.


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