The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is now accepting nominations to recognize COVID-19 Outdoor Recreation Champions, individuals or groups who persevered in the face of unprecedented use and difficulties to make outdoor recreation opportunities available during the pandemic.

Nominations are due December 31.

Nominations are encouraged for awards to volunteers, Friends Groups, organizations, parks/forests staff members, business owners, medical providers, or elected or appointed officials who:

-- Went above and beyond to improve the visitor experience and create a welcoming environment;

-- Created or continued an innovative program or project for user comfort, safety, or enjoyment;

-- Worked to highlight the ongoing needs of our parks and forests even before the onset of the pandemic and the overwhelming use it brought to our public spaces; or

-- Showed unusual leadership or creativity in support of their park or forest, or the outdoors in general.

Things to keep in mind--

-- The awards are open to anyone of any age– a business owner, a campground host, volunteers or staff, perhaps a local medical professional who “prescribed” the outdoors for health during the crisis, or an elected or appointed official who made it easy to engage in the outdoors.

-- Did you have an experience or hear of an instance where a staff member went above and beyond to address visitor concerns or make them feel welcome?

Instead of an awards event, beginning next Spring, members of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation board and staff will travel the Commonwealth to recognize our COVID Champions. These individuals or groups should be congratulated for their perseverance in the face of unprecedented use and difficulties.

Click Here for all the details and to submit a nomination.

For more information on programs, initiatives, special events and how you can get involved, visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation,  Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter or tune in to their YouTube Channel.  Click Here to become a member of the Foundation.

The Foundation and their 46 chapters mobilize 65,000 volunteers annually to steward YOUR state parks and forests.

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-- DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: David Wise, Stroud Water Research Center

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-- October 28 DCNR Resource Newsletter

-- Oct. 30 Take Five Friday With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

Related Articles - Budget:

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-- House Republicans Pass Bill To Freeze Funding For County Conservation Districts, Local Parks, Farm Conservation, Watershed Restoration Projects; Will Hurt Local Economies

-- House Republicans Moving Bill To Reallocate Keystone Fund, Damage Vitality Of PA’s Outdoor Economy

-- Analysis: Why Republican Freeze On Funding For Local Parks, Trails, Farm Conservation, Mine Reclamation, Recycling Is Bad For The Economy, Communities, The Environment

[Posted: October 30, 2020]

11/2/2020