Sure and it's a lovely ... No, we are not going to fall back on wobbly Irish accents and laughable cliches. Suffice to say, it's a good day to make green your favorite color. For many of us, every day's a good day for green!

Spring arrives on March 20 (that's Monday, folks). Celebrate it just a few days after (March 23) with a birthday salute to botanist John Bartram.

Our masthead photo this week is a scene at Killbuck Run at Prince Gallitzin from Brad Kirsch to the Prince G Book of Faces. Definitely NOT green but beautiful nevertheless!

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

The temperatures have moderated somewhat I hear over the past day or so, with something approaching normalcy ahead. Nice of Mother Nature to just get everyone's attention I suppose.

A Penn's Stewards newsletter has just come out but that doesn't mean we can't start thinking about the next one. Obviously as the seasons change and the end of the school year approaches, things start to get busier and busier and there will be much to keep track of. So put your thinking caps on and share, if you will, pictures and stories for our summer issue's feature on Pennsylvania's best state park and forest beaches. Where do you go to enjoy a swim?

For that matter, we are also working on a video about how there is something for everyone in Pennsylvania's state parks and forests. How do your friends and family best enjoy Pennsylvania's state parks and forests? We are looking for what Bill calls "happy people doing happy things" and want to share real pictures (horizontal only please) and stories with the world. We may also use your stories as we advocate on behalf of funding for state park and forest operations. (Have a story about how parks and forests have improved your health? We'd love to hear it!) Share at newsletter@paparksandforests.org please!

And when you're thinking of all the cool stuff you'll do outdoors, perhaps the Butler Outdoor Club's annual Memorial Day Outdoor Extravaganza will figure prominently. There is tons to do and fun people to do them with!

At work and play in the parks and forests

It is still pretty "sweet" out there!

North

How about a Maple Hike at Hills Creek tomorrow morning? A post-walk treat is promised!

South

Greenwood Furnace is the place for Chariot of Fire on Sunday - a sun-lover's program if ever there was one! Learn Safe Solar Observing and get a hint of the big event to come in August.

East

It's a lovely evening to be out and about - perhaps to Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center where a Family Frog (and salamander) Find is on the schedule for tonight.

West

Educator Rachael of the Forbes is planning an Equinox Day Hike at Quebec Run tomorrow. Should be a great one - but you better check to be sure it's on! (Contact info on the listing.)

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

While perusing the Prince Gallitzin State Park Facebook I found that a "bunch" of migratory tundra swans had apparently paid a visit (to the park not, near as I can tell, the Facebook page) this week and Tammy Hamilton Henry got some lovely shots, including this one. They were out at Canoe Creek State Park, too. Did you see any?

Spotlight on the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community

Highmark Blue Shield, our local benefactor in the administration of the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, has announced a couple of flash incentives for walkers registered for the May 20 event. Register and sign up in the next day or two and you can participate in what they call their Flash Challenges - one-week periods in which participants complete a task and become eligible for a random prize drawing.

Right now, that Flash Challenge is for each of us registered folk to take ten minutes and send ten emails out of your little Highmark participant center page for a chance to win a $50 gift card from the home improvement center of your choice. A little fix-up spruce-up for the spring!

So the only question we have for you at this point is what are you waiting for? Sign up already!

Take five for trivia

Were you as surprised as I to learn that the prime age for a maple tree to produce that lovely pancake enriching substance we know and love is 40?

I'm on a bird kick again. So where are all those tundra swans heading anyway?

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

Photo by Jake Donaldson, Ohiopyle State Park. Submitted to 2016 Parks & Forests Thru The Seasons photo contest. Send us yours!

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 is a Gold GuideStar Participant.