Mickayla Poland is an artist and business owner who uses her artistic talents to inform residents about waterways conservation in Pennsylvania.

After moving here from California, Mickayla immediately fell in love with the green, rolling mountains and the abundant wildlife. She grew up playing in the woods and seeing elk in her backyard.

“To this day, I am still in awe of the beauty Pennsylvania has to offer,” Mikayla says. “And that is why I like to paint it.”

Mickayla’s love and appreciation of the outdoors has always been at the core of her art, and preserving it is a mission of her business -- PA Made LLC.

Mickayla likes to put personal love and pride of Pennsylvania into her paintings and designs. Along with a conservation message, she likes to shine a light on how special and unique Pennsylvania and the PA Wilds are.

She was approached by the Elk County Conservation District to create two murals on storm drains in Elk County that would help the organization raise awareness of the damaging effects that dumping waste has on streams and rivers.

“The Up Stream project was a great way to bring conservation messages to the everyday person,” Mickayla says. “There are five paintings throughout Elk County and two more to come.”

The murals are painted on storm drain inlets by Elk County artists to help raise awareness about stormwater and where it goes.

“Being born in an area with little greenery and wildlife, I really appreciate it here in Pennsylvania,” Mickayla says. “I want to see green grass, tall trees, and healthy rivers so I, and generations to come, can continue to appreciate it.”

Know of a good natured Pennsylvanian who is passionate about outdoor recreation and/or conservation that we should feature? Contact DCNR by sending an email to: ra-resource@pa.gov to nominate someone.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Reprinted from DCNR’s Feb. 17 Resource newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Articles:

-- ‘Up Stream’ Project Brings Bold Colors And Clean Water Message To Elk County

-- DCNR Blog: DCNR Grants Support, Water, Wildlife And People In PA's Chesapeake Bay Watershed

-- DCNR Blog: Economic Impact: Buchanan Forest District HQ Brings Surrounding Woodlands To Life

-- South Mountain Partnership Announces 2021 Mini-Grant Recipients

-- Circuit Trails Coalition Calls On Philadelphia To Make Funding For Spring Garden Street  Greenway Project A Priority

[Posted: February 18, 2021]

2/22/2021