EXPLORE The Falling Leaves

Leaf-Peeping in the State Parks and Forests

Sure, they do it every year. But that doesn't mean it isn't a treat for the eyes every single time.

The theories abound, don't they? "Well, it was a wet spring so the fall color will be bad." "It was a wet spring so the leaves should be beautiful this year." "It was a cold September so I think the leaves will be pretty dull." "Gosh, these chilly nights will sure mean great leaf color."

Sometimes it seems everyone has an opinion on how and why we have gorgeous October color but that no one really knows for sure.

In fact, the scientific evidence seems to be that Autumn 2012 will be a dazzler, if a bit early. The Bureau of Forestry has a terrific fact sheet explaining why we're lucky enough to have the annual explosion of color. Then go to VisitPa's weekly foliage report to discover when they'll hit their peak (and find some perfect road trip suggestions to make sure you don't miss a thing).

Don't hibernate yet!

EXPLORE Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests

Kinzua Bridge State Park

The Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation 2012 Park of the Year Award was presented in May to Kinzua Bridge State Park. There were several reasons for this, not the least of which was the beauty of this scenic gem in the PA Wilds.

The view from the remnants of the bridge (which suffered severe damage in a 2003 tornado) is spectacular in any season but there's something about the fall color that makes a visit all the more invigorating, especially now that the mobility-accessible Kinzua Bridge Skywalk with its partial glass floor (in reality even more lovely than the conceptual drawing shown here) affords a view of the bridge's earthly remains and the sweeping valley it once crossed. Follow the Kinzua Bridge Scenic Byway (SR 3011) from Route 6 just outside charming Mount Jewett about 4 1/2 miles into the park. (Make it a 9-mile round trip bike ride and the ice cream cone that's available in town will taste that much better!)

Future plans at the park include the Kinzua Visitors Center which will feature classrooms, a visitor center, restrooms, and a small retail store along with interpretive programming and interactive displays on engineering, energy and the environment.

Incidentally, if you missed the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation's recent Take Five in the Outdoors Photo Contest, you'll be happy to learn that the PA Wilds are sponsoring a photo contest of their own. The deadline to enter is October 31st.

EXPLORE Volunteerism

Ralph Harrison - Retire? What's That?

Many people "find themselves" after retirement. Others just do what they do heedless of clocks and calendars. Ralph Harrison is definitely one of the latter. Ralph began working for the (then) Department of Forests & Waters in 1950, following in the footsteps of his father, William, who was a forest fire warden. Because of his father (and mother), he had an intimate relationship with the Pennsylvania elk herd. William was among those who helped re-introduce elk to Pennsylvania in 1926 and, thankfully, as Ralph grew so did the elk herd.

During his 40-year career with Forestry (through changes in agency name), he worked tirelessly, both on the job and on his own time, assisting both the Bureau and the Pennsylvania Game Commission in promoting and expanding the now-famous Pennsylvania elk herd. He hosted countless groups: elected officials, college and high school students, teachers, local residents, visiting foreign students and professors, and staff of state agencies, always working to spread the word of the historic and ecological significance of the elk. And the physical work of habitat creation and protection was and is a vital link to his family legacy in Elk County.

And his gifts to the forests and parks of Pennsylvania didn't end there. Ralph is father to Chip Harrison, park manager in a complex that includes eight state parks, including Leonard Harrison, Colton Point and the dark sky of Pennsylvania (Cherry Springs), and is father-in-law to Maxine Harrison, chair of two friends groups and a member of the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation board.

Ralph has said his efforts are meant to demonstrate that the Bureau of Forestry's work is about more than just trees but is truly conservation of the entire resource--land, animals, water and history. Message delivered!

EXPLORE the Continuing Legacy

The Pennsylvania Forest Fire Museum Association

Obviously if there is leaf-peeping to be done, there have to be leaves at which to peep! However, the health and maintenance of Penn's Woods was a significant concern even before anyone conceived of the idea that humans would have enough leisure time (and appropriate conveyances) to allow them to actually go gamboling about the countryside giving due appreciation to the fall colors.

The history of Penn's Woods is, as you may recall from the August issue of Explore, inextricably bound to the health of her forests. Just as William Penn mandated the conservation of forested land, so have thousands of educators, professional foresters, landowners and ordinary citizens through the years devoted themselves to preserving and, in fact, increasing tree cover. From the 1886 founding of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA) by Joseph Rothrock and his contemporaries to establishment of the first forestry school at what is now Penn State Mont Alto in 1903, the late 19th and early 20th century were a time of rapid advancement in the profession of forestry.

And chief among the duties of these professionals was dealing with forest fires. Rothrock made it clear to the men who joined with him that physical labor and the ability to manage forest fires would be their responsibility. Philosophy on fire suppression has changed and evolved since those early days but the long-term viability of the forests is always the goal.

In 1995, the Pennsylvania Forest Fire Museum Association was established to "preserve and showcase the heritage of forest fire protection .... The museum celebrates Pennsylvania's pioneers in forest stewardship - past, present and future." To that end, in 2011 the Association opened their Discovery Center at Caledonia State Park on US 30 between Chambersburg and Gettysburg. At the center you'll find some of the tools of the forest firefighter's trade, displays on forestry and fire-fighting and some very entertaining Smokey Bear memorabilia.

Admission is free; donations are encouraged!