Rep. Hanna Appointed To Board Of PA Parks and Forests Foundation

Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Clinton), Majority Chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, has been appointed to the board of directors of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation, a group dedicated to enhancing the state's parks and forests, protecting natural resources and supporting conservation and environmental programs.

"The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation is tasked with a crucial mission to preserve our environment and the natural resources that hold a special place in the hearts of all Pennsylvanians, especially my friends and neighbors in north central Pennsylvania," Rep. Hanna said.

The foundation was created in 1999 to give users and supporters of Pennsylvania's 117 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest land a positive way to support conservation and education. The group helps raise unrestricted revenue for projects that are not currently funded through the state budget, including playgrounds and pavilions, educational programming, camper services like stores and firewood sales, and maintenance of trails, gardens and museums.

The organization also works cooperatively with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on projects like fish habitat enhancement and reforestation.

One of the primary tasks of the foundation is to create friends' groups comprised of motivated community members that provide services such as volunteer labor, event planning and fundraising constituency for state parks and forests. The organization currently has 21 chapter friends' groups and supports an additional 14 independent groups throughout the state.

"At a time when our budgetary woes are threatening funding for state parks, I strongly encourage the development of friends groups at our parks and forests," Rep. Hanna said. "These groups can play a crucial role in protecting our state's natural resources."

Hanna encourages all residents to get involved with PPFF by becoming a member or joining a friends' group in their region. For more information, residents can contact Hanna at 717-772-2283 or visit his website.