On September 27, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation announced River Missal will join the Foundation as a Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps member & Trail Training and Workday Coordinator.

AmeriCorps Member River Missal is no stranger to service of Pennsylvania’s natural, outdoor spaces.

After graduating from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in anthropology and minors in archaeology and geoscience, River joined AmeriCorps under the Open Streets Sustainability Fellow program and then joined the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps.

In his journey between his education, careers, and path to earning his Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America, he acquired knowledge and experience working with volunteers and communities, recruitment, research projects, vegetation and invasive species management, erosion control, tree identification, trail work, and construction and installation of trail amenities, such as kiosks, benches, etc.

"I am excited to be joining PPFF as a Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps member with a focus on trail training and volunteer recruitment,” said River. “I have a passion for the outdoors and am honored to have this opportunity to keep Pennsylvania beautiful and our trail networks strong!"

In his new role, he will be responsible for training volunteers in trail maintenance, leading volunteers in trail workdays, and educating the public on Leave No Trace principles.

He will also be contributing to the development of a trail assessment app, work with various state parks and forests, and writing for an educational blog.

“The PPFF is excited to work with Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps through Appalachian Intermediate Unit 8 to assist in addressing trail needs through volunteerism and stewardship. With more than 7000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, we all play a role in keeping them in shape,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.

“We are so happy to gain PPFF as a partner in our environmental stewardship efforts. River brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the team,” states Jill Latuch, PMSC AmeriCorps Program Manager. “We are looking forward to this great partnership and new opportunities for member service in our PA Parks”

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

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

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 48 chapters mobilize 65,000 volunteers annually to steward YOUR state parks and forests.

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

-- 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

-- 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

Related Articles This Week:

-- 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]

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

[Posted: September 27, 2023]

10/2/2023