Pennsylvanians once again showed their deep love for our parks and forests over Memorial Day weekend when, in spite of (at least here out west) the rain and cooler temperatures that might have kept them indoors. Bill and I were tickled to see how many people were on the banks of Laurel Lake and along the Copper Kettle Trail between the campground and lake on Saturday morning. And Laurel Hill State Park wasn't the only place where campground spaces were completely filled, trails were brimming with walkers, and the woods rang with laughter. Bill likes to say that we come from "hardy pioneer stock" whenever we're outside in weather that seems at first blush to be less than ideal.

But how often do we get "ideal?" When poet James Russell Lowell remarked on the rarity of June days, he might just as easily have noted that the "perfect days" are few and far between and good for us all getting outside regardless! Those state parks and forests that we so enjoy for recreation are also important for cleaning our air, purifying our water, keeping our local economies clicking along - facts which will be front and center over the next few weeks over on our website and social media where we will (we promise) be asking once again for your help in being a voice for these lands and the people of DCNR who work so hard with ever-smaller financial resources to keep them functioning. So do go outside, take a deep breath, and consider just what you would lose if the park and forest within 25 miles (or so) of your front door is diminished and depleted - and get ready to say that out loud!

The changeable skies that seem to be the order of the day this late spring in Pennsylvania are captured nicely in this masthead shot of the Pine Creek Gorge from Leonard Harrison (courtesy of Crockett Ford to the Leonard Harrison State Park Facebook).

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

Calling all readers in the Great Northwest! Marci will be at Pymatuning State Park on the evening of June 7 (next Wednesday) for an informational meeting on the formation of the potential Friends of Pymatuning. Come see what's on the agenda!

Few things make me as happy as tree planting. Granted, the last time I actually participated in a large-scale tree planting effort was at the farm property of some good friends and I wound up with THE worst case of poison ivy I ever had. Still, it was worth it to think of the beautiful little pines that will one day cover the hillside in Fort Hill. It's stunning to contemplate the existence of 2.2 million acres of state forest land in Pennsylvania and, admittedly, when we think about Pennsylvania's Forests, we think of vistas and ridges covered in green. But Pennsylvania's forests are urban as well and TreeVitalize and the new TreePennsylvania.org website offer a look at how everyone in communities large and small can improve their neighborhoods with something green and growing.

Two new projects bubbled up to the surface this week, each adding their own bit of excitement in PPFF World. You may recall that Marci and Amanda met with some interested volunteers at Boyd Big Tree Preserve last week to talk about the possibility for a friends group there. An early project for the group will be an item on the Needs List for Boyd Big Tree - the installation of a dog-friendly water fountain. The conservation area is a popular dog-walking spot for Capital Area residents and since there's some climbing involved on some of the trails, a water source will be great for people and pups, too.

Mostly for people (but maybe a few pups, too) are the Adirondack-style shelters of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. Thanks to a seed grant from REI Pittsburgh, the remaining shelters in four areas along the trail can potentially be saved. "Potentially" because the seed grant of $10,000 must be coupled with another $14,000 to finish up the job. If you have ever enjoyed the LHHT experience (or hope to in the future), please consider a gift to the Shelters Fund.

Speaking of REI, REI Bedford is also providing funding to a PPFF Chapter project. The Friends of Buchanan State Forest will receive $3,000 for the purchase of tools and equipment for the trails maintenance and construction projects this active, multi-use group has planned.

At work and play in the parks and forests

It's the first Saturday in June and that, my friends, is National Trails Day. Find your trail and give it a hug. Admittedly, that's not as easy as hugging a tree but it's worth the attempt!

North

Start off with a Mellow Morning Hike at Sizerville State Park.

South

It IS National Trails DAY so enjoy a day-long exploration of Trough Creek State Park. (Advance registration required here.) And because National Trails Day is for walking on the trails AND giving them the care and maintenance required to keep them accessible, there's volunteering to be done at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center.

East

The Friends of Ridley Creek spend the first Saturday of each month doing their part for the park's trails. It's especially special when that first Saturday is NTD! A hair farther north, the Blue Trail at Hickory Run State Park will get some love. 

West

The Friends of Ohiopyle and the Laurel Mountain Volunteer Group from the Forbes State Forest will also each be out doing the care and feeding of trails part of NTD tomorrow. FOO's out every first Saturday, you know, doing something foo-bulous!

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

I fully acknowledge the presence of a certain amount of bias in my selection of this as Picture of the Week - Bill and me with Park Manager Mike and Assistant Park Manager Jim at the dedication of the new accessible launch at Laurel Hill State Park last Saturday. We absolutely cannot wait to get Bill in a boat sliding off that launch and into the lake.

Someone on the park's Facebook page commented that every park should have one. We agree! The EZ Dock is not just for people with mobility issues. They are great for all paddlers! The Friends of Nockamixon are working hard to get a similar launch and our fund for accessible recreation is a great place to deposit a few dollars toward that "every park should have one" dream, including one at Beltzville State Park where PPFF has secured funding. 

Son(s and daughter(s) of picture of the week

It's a new month and who's to say that there shouldn't be TWO Pictures of the Week? I just could not resist the wonderful photographs our immediate past board Chair, George, shared of his youngsters (who are getting too big to be called "the Littles" much longer) from their Memorial Day weekend tent camping excursion at Tuscarora State Forest and vicinity. He said they dubbed it "Snake Fest" - with five different species showing off their scales for the kids. Which is wonderful, but I just cannot resist this picture. Love those kidlets!

Take five for trivia

Astute readers noted that my trivia question from last week figured prominently in Facebook posts over the weekend. From the connections between the French & Indian War/War for Empire and Point State Park, to the Revolutionary War connections of the newest state park at Washington Crossing and the first (now national park) Valley Forge, to the Civil War connections of Caledonia, all you history buffs have some new places to visit.

Might we also suggest: the site of Camp Michaux near Pine Grove Furnace State Park (a World War II internment camp so not necessarily an answer to our question about conflicts on American soil), Fort Washington and Colonel Denning (Revolutionary War), and the French & Indian War Encampment at Cook Forest (next weekend).

Congratulations to Macungie Julie who takes the prize for May.

Let's kick off June with a salute to Snake Fest. Oh, come on. Too many people recoil (pun intended) when the word "snake" is uttered and I dream of the day when we can live in harmony with our legless brethren. After all, of the 21 snake species commonly found in Pennsylvania, only how many are venomous?

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.

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.