On September 28, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the agency’s participation in a statewide initiative for annual Walk in Penn’s Woods events Sunday, October 1.

“Participating in Walk in Penn’s Woods events is a great way to learn more about Pennsylvania’s forests and the opportunities they provide,” Dunn said. “Whether it is for recreation, birding, learning more about the benefits of forests, or simply wanting to spend more time outdoors, I encourage everyone to consider joining one of these walks across the Commonwealth.”

Walk in Penn’s Woods events are organized by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association and have taken place the first Sunday of October since 2017.

These walks provide an excellent opportunity to get out, have fun, and learn about Pennsylvania’s forests, to see forests in new ways, and to understand and appreciate the many values held in the woods.

Forests are always working for us, providing recreation, wildlife habitat, beauty, improved water quality, clean air, wood products, carbon storage, and more.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and his Administration are committed to protecting and preserving Pennsylvania’s natural resources for current and future generations.

Volunteers and DCNR staff lead the hikes, which are usually about one or two miles, but can be longer depending on the location and its terrain. More than 60 walks are scheduled this year, with 28 occurring in state parks and forests.

A full list of Walk in Penn’s Woods Events can be found on the Pennsylvania Forestry Association website.

Walks are listed by county and event descriptions share whether registration is required, the difficulty of the walk and whether it is accessible.

“We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Forestry Association for organizing these walks and I look forward to seeing thousands of Pennsylvanians on the trails Sunday,” Dunn said.

She noted that she will visit Weiser State Forest for a Walk in Penn’s Woods.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, 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.

Other Upcoming Forestry Events

-- Williamsport Sun: Walk In Penn’s Woods Day Coming Up Oct. 1

-- Penn State Extension: PA Forest Webinar Series Schedule [Late 2023 and 2024]

-- Penn State Extension: 4-Part Webinar Series: Primer For Forest Management And Birds Thru Oct. 18

-- Penn State Extension: Nov. 14 PA Forest Seminar Webinar - Benefits Of Large Woody Debris In Streams, Noon and 7:00 p.m.

-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Educators Oct. 3 Wildlife Conservation Science, Outdoor Recreation Curriculum, Noon to 1:00 p.m.

-- Save The Date: Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 23-24 In State College

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Offering SOLO’s Wilderness First Responder Certification Course In January

NewsClips This Week:

-- CountryLiving Survey: Wellsboro, Tioga County Named #9; Milford, Pike County #28 of 55 Best Fall Towns In US For Foliage

-- Erie Times: Leaves In Erie Region Are Readying Their Fall Colors, Find Out When And Where To See Them

-- Williamsport Sun: Walk In Penn’s Woods Day Coming Up Oct. 1

-- Save The Date: Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 23-24 In State College

-- WVIA: Greenways & Trails Summit Brings Experts From All Over The State To Scranton

-- WeConservePA: 2023 PA Greenways & Trails Summit Wrap-Up: A Scranton Success

-- Scranton Times: Scranton Opens 400-Acre State Forest Expansion To Public

-- Altoona Mirror: Altoona Water Authority, PA Environmental Council Work On Bike Trail Project

-- Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Oakland Dam Removed From North Branch Susquehanna River In Susquehanna County

-- TribLive: Ohiopyle Borough, Fayette County, Surrounded By Ohiopyle State Park, Holds Youghtoberfest Saturday To Raise Money For Sewer System Repairs

-- Warren Times Editorial: Recreation Office May Be One More Playground, One The Other Hand Outdoor Recreation Is A Vital Component Of Our Region’s Economy

-- Warren Times: Rain No Damper For 100-Year Allegheny National Forest Celebration

-- Warren Times: Sorensen's Win Historical Society’s Trails Of History Challenge In Allegheny National Forest

-- PA Environmental Council Blog: Prevent Invasive Species Migration - Clean, Drain, Dry

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Issues First Fall Foliage Report Of The Season - First Glimmers Of Autumn Are Here   [PaEN]

-- Member Of Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group Briefs DCNR Advisory Council On Siting Of Shale Gas Well Pad On State Forest Land To Accommodate Taking Gas From Private Land In Tioga County  [PaEN]

-- The Conservation Fund, DCNR Add 436 Acres Of Forest Land To Pinchot State Forest In Lackawanna County With Financial Support From Williams Natural Gas Pipeline Company  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: Trail Towns - Connecting The Outdoors And Communities - By Hanna Ryon, DCNR Intern To Office Of Outdoor Recreation

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Women And Their Woods Plant Identification Workshop Oct.  14 At Prompton State Park, Wayne County  [PaEN]

-- AmeriCorps Member River Missal Joins PA Parks & Forests Foundation As Trail Training & Workday Coordinator  [PaEN]

-- DOE Awards DCNR $1 Million Grant To Provide Technical Assistance For Large Scale Carbon Storage And Regional Carbon Management Hubs  [PaEN]

[Posted: September 28, 2023]

10/2/2023