Members of the public across the state are invited to take part in the PA Parks and Forests Foundation’s “Day in the Life of a State Forest” on April 11 and 12.

Participants are encouraged to pack a lunch and a camera, and capture the experience of a day spent in one of Pennsylvania’s 20 state forests. They are also asked to help keep our public lands pristine by taking along a trash bag and packing out litter found on the trail, trailhead or vista.

The third annual “Day in the Life of a State Forest” from PPFF commemorates the work of conservation leader Joseph Rothrock, the father of Pennsylvania forestry. Rothrock was appointed the first Commissioner of Forestry in 1895, and promoted the ideas of conservation, recreation and health.

By 1900, he helped amass 110,000 acres for the forest system-a system which has grown to more than 2.2 million acres.

“The rich rewards found in our bountiful state forest system are as varied as the faces that seek them,” said DCNR Acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “It is only fitting that these two days are set aside to reflect on just how much our woodlands offer to so many throughout the entire year.”

Learn more about Pennsylvania’s conservation history online. A map and information about Pennsylvania’s state forests can be found on DCNR State Forests webpage.

“April is also stress awareness month, and research has shown time and time again that spending time in the outdoors reduces stress,” says Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “Our state forests offer a myriad of opportunities for spending time outdoors, from hiking and biking to paddling and fishing. In addition, they help to clean the air and protect important water quality.”

Photos should be sent by email to: intern-ppff@pa.net before by April 14 to be included in a special Facebook gallery and other social media platforms; one photo will be selected for publication in PPFF’s summer 2015 newsletter and other publications.

By submitting photos, entrants agree to allow PPFF to post the photo/s to the PPFF website and Facebook page or any other electronic and printed media and allow their photos, names and general location to be published in the newsletter and/or website or any other electronic or printed media, currently and in the future. Entrants retain ownership and all other rights to future use of their photographs.

Planning ahead? Next month, PPFF also hosts a “Day in a Life of a State Park” over Memorial Day weekend.

4/13/2015