The PA Parks and Forests Foundation  held its 15th Annual Awards Banquet and celebrated 13 award recipients for their outstanding stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state park and state forest system at Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County on May 14, 2024.

The annual event brought together individuals, businesses, and organizations from across the state, including Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“There are thousands of people who help make Pennsylvania state parks and forests wonderful places to visit and I am always excited to celebrate their work,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Thank you to the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation for being a great partner and prioritizing these awards to help honor the exemplary people whose work supports public lands.”

“The annual banquet provides not only an opportunity to celebrate Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, but organizations, individuals and businesses that are committed to conservation and recreational opportunities,” said Marci Mowery, President of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation. “We applaud their hard work and dedication to creating a Pennsylvania that is a better place to live, work and play.”

“Additionally, I would like to thank the sponsors that made the banquet possible. Their support makes the annual celebration a reality.”

2024 PPFF Award Winners

-- Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award: Pennsylvania Forestry Association 

Sponsored by: Domtar

The Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award honors an outstanding contribution to the protection and enhancement of Pennsylvania’s park and forest system.

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA), the oldest state organization in the US dedicated to forest ecology, has championed stewardship, education, and sustainability since 1866.

Founded by Joseph Rothrock, the Father of Pennsylvania Forestry, PFA unites forest landowners, industries, resource professionals, and conservation groups to care for Pennsylvania’s forest resources.

PFA weighs-in on policy and legislation, manages the Champion Tree Program, hosts educational workshops, and produces educational materials and a quarterly magazine.

They also maintain the Pennsylvania Tree Farm program and promote events like A Walk in Penn’s Woods, an annual gathering that raises awareness and appreciation for Pennsylvania’s forests.

Through these efforts, PFA continues to engage and educate the public on the conservation and enjoyment of the state’s 17 million acres of forest.

-- Joseph E. Ibberson Government Award: Wayne Kober

Sponsored by: KCI Technologies

Wayne, a Dillsburg resident, inspired by the first Earth Day in 1970 and his childhood days at Pymatuning Lake, switched his major to Environmental Resource Management at Penn State McKeesport.

This discipline equipped him with the scientific and leadership skills to tackle environmental challenges.

Following graduation, he pursued a long career at the Department of Transportation, where he balanced transportation needs with environmental stewardship, learning from pioneers like Maurice Goddard and Franklin Kury.

After a decade as a private consultant and serving as President of the PA Association of Environmental Professionals, Wayne helped lead the PA Conservation Heritage Project, aiming to educate the public and foster future conservation leaders.

His contributions include the creation of the Forest Heritage Museum at Caledonia State Park and the James C. Nelson Wild Area at Tuscarora State Forest. We are pleased to recognize Wayne for his many decades of leadership and dedication to conservation.

-- President’s Award:  Purple Lizard Maps

Sponsored by: Stahl-Sheaffer Engineering

The President's Award recognizes outstanding citizens or businesses who made an impact in protecting open space, conservation, outdoor recreation, or volunteerism.

Outdoor enthusiasts across Pennsylvania (Virginia, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico, too) know that if they need a reliable resource for locating the perfect trail all they must do is follow the purple lizard.

Boasting a comprehensive set of beautifully designed and executed all-weather maps and a companion digital app for use on the go, Purple Lizard products are fun to use and highly detailed.

Because the Lizards are also users of the places and activities featured in their maps, they also offer an engaging social media presence and a bit of expertise and a sense of shared secrets alongside the great tool.

And, as a long-time supporter of 1% for the Planet, there’s a demonstrated commitment to sustainability.

Their latest offering, the PA Statewide Outdoor Recreation Map, goes well beyond life as a simple trail map but instead helps people plan outdoor adventures of all kinds.

Mike and Justine don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk as outdoor enthusiasts.

During COVID, Mike was one of the first to agree to do a Lunch Learn on the process of map making, and when PPFF partnered with the Susquehanna River Trail Association to make a new river map, Mike introduced us to a vendor to help us complete the map.

All of which make PLM a great partner for recreation and conservation.

-- Chair’s Award: Barbara Barksdale

Sponsored by: REI

The Chair's Award recognizes outstanding citizens or businesses who made a special impact through innovation and creativity.

Barbara Barksdale's dedication to preserving her family's past at Harrisburg’s Midland Cemetery has grown into a significant movement in historic cemetery preservation across Pennsylvania.

When Barbara and her young son first visited in the early 1990s, the cemetery was overgrown and neglected, with many gravestones broken or buried.

In 1993, she founded the Friends of Midland cemetery and has since worked tirelessly to restore and preserve the cemetery, celebrating its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in March 2023.

PPFF culture and history intern Martha Moon wrote about Barbara’s impact, noting that her work serves as a model for national and international cemetery preservation initiatives.

Barbara emphasizes thorough documentation to prevent the loss of these sites to human intervention or environmental factors, ensuring the legacy of the land is preserved.

Her efforts align with Pennsylvania’s conservation of land resources and the state’s rich cultural history, underscoring the importance of valuing both natural and historical resources.

-- Forest of the Year Award:  William Penn State Forest

Sponsored by: Inspired by Nature Woodworking

Pennsylvania’s most urban forest district, home to diverse habitats, includes Goat Hill Wild Plant Sanctuary, the most ecologically significant tract in the State Forest system.

This sanctuary features two globally rare plants, 19 state-listed plants, two PA endangered reptiles, and 14 state-listed insect species.

For the past decade, William Penn State Forest District staff have committed to enhancing the Serpentine Barrens, working closely with various experts and local stakeholders to manage the tract through methods like prescribed burns and removing invasive vegetation.

The well-received “Serpentine Barrens Symposium” brought together stakeholders from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York City to discuss serpentine management.

This collaboration has positioned the district and the Bureau of Forestry as leaders in serpentine restoration in the Eastern US. In addition to managing Goat Hill, staff also care for Little Tinicum Island and other undeveloped forested parcels, striving to connect the culturally diverse citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania to their public lands.

-- Park of the Year Award:  Neshaminy State Park

Sponsored by: Kate Harper, Esquire

Neshaminy is very popular with the residents of southeast Pennsylvania, resulting in a rich diversity of park users and always a lot going on! 

The park is located along the Delaware River in lower Bucks County and takes its name from Neshaminy Creek, which joins the Delaware River at this point.

The park’s 339 acres include picnic areas, pavilions, hiking trails, a tidal marsh, the Eagles Forest, a playhouse, a swimming pool, and a separate children’s spray park.

Boating access to the Delaware River is provided at the marina. The park averages over 875,000 visits a year.

High attendance means capacity is reached multiple times each summer. The swimming pool and other amenities keep the maintenance crew busy, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Rangers and staff skillfully manage traffic and crowd control and excel at keeping smiles on visitors' faces.

Despite these significant challenges, this small number of hands consistently creates a welcoming and safe atmosphere for these many visitors, drawing people back time and again.

-- Volunteerism Award (Individual):  Margarita Caicedo

Sponsored by: Organic Snack Company / Kate’s Real Food

PPFF’s first Latina ambassador, Margarita, a resident of Reading, has worked tirelessly to connect the Spanish-speaking community to Pennsylvania’s public lands.

She volunteers monthly on Spanish language radio programs focused on the outdoors, speaks through webinars and media appearances about the connections between the outdoors and health, and frequently attends outdoor events to share her personal story.

Margarita forges connections through her experiences and vibrant personality.

Additionally, Margarita has appeared in two PPFF videos, discussing the health benefits of spending time outdoors and promoting Leave No Trace principles as a trained presenter. Her passion for outdoor recreation is contagious.

-- Volunteerism Award (Group): Lackawanna State Park Trail Care Crew

Sponsored by: Art Communications Systems / Mountain Graphics

The Volunteer Awards recognizes outstanding volunteer efforts for a special project for a state park or forest.

The Lackawanna State Park Trail Care Crew is dedicated to improving and restoring the park’s 26 miles of trails and adjoining lands.

They have invested in tools and equipment for trail construction and maintenance, and their efforts have ensured the resilience of the trail system, even through heavy rains.

With an average of 367,000 visitors annually, the well-maintained trails offer significant benefits to the community.

The crew also addresses invasive species to preserve the park's natural beauty.

The LSPTCC excels at attracting volunteers of all ages, ensuring the trail system's ongoing success. They forge partnerships to support their mission, including a recent collaboration with Last Minute Brewing, Right on Shredule IPA.

Their dedication and hard work are invaluable.

-- Education Award (Individual): Mike Teeter

Sponsored by: Lawrence Walsh / The Parker House of Confluence

Mike, along with his family who reside in Bedford County, dedicates countless hours to promoting Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests at various events, reaching out to outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, and beer lovers alike.

Rain or shine, he brings his untiring enthusiasm, PPFF materials, and the Big Prize Wheel to share with attendees.

Mike's passion extends to educating children about the outdoors, aiming to create life-long outdoor enthusiasts, and he promotes Leave No Trace Principles to support the missions of both DCNR and PPFF.

As a volunteer in his local state park and a member of the PPFF Development Committee, Mike spearheads partnerships with Pennsylvania businesses and helps thank PPFF donors by phone.

He is committed to building community connections and often shares inspiring stories about outdoor living.

Mike is a true ambassador for Pennsylvania’s outdoors and a champion for fostering an engaged, environmentally conscious citizenry.

-- Education Award (Group): French and Indian War Officer’s Corps

Sponsored by: Seneca Resources

The Education Award recognizes the planning and initiation of an outstanding program or ongoing event in a state park or forest.

2024 marks the 20th year of the Cook Forest French & Indian War Encampment, a premier living history event in the PA State Park system, coordinated by the Officers’ Corps.

This event features 200-300 high-quality re-enactors portraying French, British, Colonial, and Woodland Indians, contributing over 4,800 volunteer hours to connect the public with historical and cultural resources.

The Encampment attracts 6,000 to 8,000 visitors annually, offering a unique glimpse into 1700s family life beyond the thrilling musket fire scenes.

Area businesses recognize the event's community value, consistently donating to offset hosting costs, with more than $37,000 raised through the French and Indian War Encampment fund held by PPFF.

The commitment of time and effort by the re-enactors and the Officers’ Corps is invaluable, and their dedication to this event and partnership with the park is deeply appreciated.

-- Improvement Award (Individual):  Gary Kirk

Sponsored by: the Asimos Family

For many years while the state budget was limited for maintenance staff at the White Clay Creek Preserve, Gary was the primary caretaker of the Preserve itself, dedicating countless hours to clearing downed trees, maintaining sapling fields, creating signage, mowing trails, clearing drainage paths, leveling trails, and building trail bridges.

He inspires others to join him, enforcing team safety protocols and rewarding hard work with an annual pizza party at his home.

PPFF recently joined Gary on a Field Day to prepare for the placement of a large bridge, which reopened a much-loved trail to the public.

Gary’s dedication extends beyond the Preserve, which spans into Pennsylvania and Delaware.

As his nominator explained, “Gary loves the Preserve, but he also loves his community and Swamper team. His community spirit, dedication, and character are superlative, and the Preserve would suffer without his leadership and sweat equity.”

-- Improvement Award (Group):  Friends of Michaux

Sponsored by: An Anonymous Benefactor

The Friends of Michaux State Forest support diverse recreational activities like hiking, mountain biking, climbing, paddling, horseback riding, and ATV use.

They offer various volunteer opportunities and partnerships, including a trail stewardship program, regular workdays, and events to connect people with the forest.

Their trailer full of tools supports groups like the South-Central PA Climbers and the Susquehanna Area Mountain Bikers Association, ensuring everyone can contribute.

Trained in Leave No Trace principles, members frequently present LNT programming for school groups. Recently, the Friends celebrated their five-year anniversary with a fundraising dinner, highlighting their accomplishments.

-- Young Volunteer Award: Hung Pham

Sponsored by: Color & Culture

The Young Volunteer Award recognizes a significant contribution to a park or forest by a person under the age of 25 through volunteer hours, a significant project, an innovative idea, or more.

Hung, a junior at Susquehanna Township High School, is a founding member of the Hiking and Environment Club, established in Spring 2022.

Through his efforts in creating flyers and videos for the school newscast, he promoted the club, growing it from a few walkers to two vans of students visiting state parks and forests.

This includes a notable trip to Ricketts Glen State Park in 2023.

Recently, he convinced the club advisor to take the group on a camping trip to Worlds End State Park, where they not only hiked but also participated in a program by the State Game Commission.

In addition to his work with the club, Hung has been instrumental in starting a marker and pen recycling program at the school.

 He is also exploring a messaging campaign to reduce the use of disposable water bottles and implement a recycling program.

By encouraging his schoolmates to enjoy and learn about Pennsylvania’s natural resources, Hung is taking significant steps toward creating environmentally conscious citizens.

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.

Related Articles:

-- PA Wilds Center Announces 2024 PA Wilds Champion Award Winners; Recognition Dinner July 25  [PaEN]

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Recognizes 2024 Award Recipients  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Gettysburg Times: Adams County Trout Unlimited Honored With Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

-- DelcoToday.com: West Chester University’s GNA Forest Fest Wins 2024 Governor’s Award For Environmental Excellence

-- ConnectRadio.fm: Clearfield County Business, Elk County Conservancy Win PA Wilds Awards

[Posted: May 22, 2024]

5/27/2024