The natural land and forests is Pennsylvania’s namesake feature. Recreation on and enjoyment of public natural lands including state parks and forests, drives the state economy and keeps Pennsylvanians physically and emotionally healthy.

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation asks you to share what the preservation of the natural values of Pennsylvania means to you in the form of a haiku poem (3 lines following the syllable pattern 5,7,5).

Submissions open April 1 and remain open until April 16.

The haikus are a continuation of PPFF’s yearlong celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Environmental Rights Amendment.

Everyone is welcome to submit their poems via email to

-- PAEnviroRights50@paparksandforests.org;

-- or through PPFF’s social media channels using #PAEnviroRights50; Facebook @Pennsylvania Parks and Forests; Twitter @PaPFF; Instagram @paparksandforests; LinkedIn @ Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

A winner will be selected on April 17, International Haiku Poetry Day. Select submissions will be shared on PPFF’s social media channels on April 22nd in celebration of Earth Day.

“Haiku poetry encourages the writer to limit the use of words but express a range of expression at the same time,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “Nature inspires a sense of awe, which has shown to decrease stress and increase creativity. We encourage poets to spend time in nature to find inspiration for their Haiku poem.”

The Environmental Rights Amendment was added to the Pennsylvania constitution in 1971 and reads--

The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.

PPFF is commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Environmental Rights Amendment all year. Follow along using #PAEnviroRights50.

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.

Related Articles:

-- Mom & Pop Shop Success Linked To Proximity To PA State Parks & Forests; Mom & Pop Business Owners Day March 29

-- Learn More About $1 Billion State Parks, Forests Maintenance, Infrastructure Backlog At New Website; Then Take Action

[Posted: March 29, 2021]

4/5/2021