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PA Parks & Forests Foundation Announces 2025 Award Winners; Award Celebration Set For May 13 At Little Buffalo State Park In Perry County
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On February 25, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced their 2025 award winners that honor the people that make a difference through their work and volunteerism in Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests. The winners are-- -- Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award - Dwight Lewis Lumber Co./Lewis Lumber Products (Sullivan County). Dwight Lewis Lumber Company and Lewis Lumber Products are dedicated to the preservation and enrichment of the timberland environment. -- Joseph Ibberson Government Award - Chris Kemmerer (Dauphin County). As Section Chief overseeing educational, interpretive, and recreational programming in all 124 state parks, Chris saw the April 2024 eclipse as an educational opportunity and created a team to plan to teach how to safely watch this incredible event. He did this while also focusing on aligning programs to new education standards. Chris has tirelessly worked to advance environmental education in Pennsylvania. -- Chair’s Award - Keith Russell (Philadelphia). Keith has studied birds since he was in the third grade. It’s the lucky young person whose passion is so ignited by experience that they can turn their passion to a career. Keith has done that and more bringing members of his community along for the educational ride. -- President’s Award - Steve Stroman (Lancaster County). Steve turned his passions for trails, rails and conservation into a career that has spanned decades, both professionally and as a volunteer. An active advocate for the issues about which he cares, Steve reminds us always that stewardship means using your outside voice. -- Park of the Year - Hills Creek State Park Complex (Tioga & Potter Counties). Leonard Harrison State Park, Colton Point State Park, Denton Hill State Park, Lyman Run State Park, Patterson State Park, Cherry Springs State Park and Hills Creek State Park, oh my! The staff at these parks are balancing major projects, visitor needs and unusual weather events while providing a positive visitor experience. -- Forest of the Year - Loyalsock State Forest (Sullivan, Lycoming, and Bradford Counties). With its diverse array of recreational opportunities along with management of forest resources, the staff at Loyalsock have also had to contend with several severe weather events. -- Volunteer (Individual) - Charles Pinardi (Bedford County). Charles began being a host at Shawnee State Park 27 years ago with his wife, Beena. Both of them became a fixture of the campground and are the reason many people come back. Beena passed away in 2012, but Charles has continued their tradition of hosting at the park. -- Volunteer (Group) - Eastern PA Climbers Alliance (Bucks County). EPAC’s dedication to fostering a community of responsible climbers that contribute their time and energy to sustainable outdoor recreation initiatives is exemplary. From trail maintenance and clean-up efforts to educational workshops and safety training, EPAC volunteers are deeply involved in activities that enhance and preserve natural landscapes. -- Education - Allen Dieterich-Ward (Franklin County). Allen, a long-time member of the PA Conservation Heritage Project, recently wrote his second book, Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania, a synthesis of Pennsylvania’s environmental history from ancient Indigenous peoples to the social distancing (by going outdoors!) of the COVID Era. -- Improvement - Paul Yost (Northumberland County). For over 20 years, Paul has been an integral volunteer member of the Friends of Milton State Park, investing his time, energy, and personal resources into the revitalization and care of the park’s trail network. The story of Paul's efforts to transform the park from the overgrown devastation wrought by Hurricane Agnes and years of neglect into a thriving natural space is truly inspirational. -- Young Volunteer - Mikyala Traini (Berks County). As an intern at Marsh Creek State Park Mikayla worked with park staff to design a trail paving project that would greatly increase accessibility and then worked to receive funding to make the project a reality. Awards Celebration The award winners will be recognized at a special awards celebration on May 13 at Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County. Click Here for tickets and for more information. Sponsorships Sponsorship opportunities are also available. 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 mobilizes 65,000 volunteers annually to steward YOUR state parks and forests. Related Articles: -- DCNR House Budget Hearing Testimony: Making Strategic Investments To Grow Pennsylvania’s $19 Billion Outdoor Recreation Industry [PaEN] -- DCNR Encourages Forest Landowners To Plan Now For Spring Spongy Moth Treatment; Populations Have Reached Outbreak Levels [PaEN] -- WeConservePA: Call For Presentations - PA Greenways & Trails Summit Sept. 21-23 [PaEN] -- DCNR Upgrades Nolde Forest Environmental Center To Enhance Student, Visitor Experience In Berks County [PaEN] -- DCNR State Parks Environmental Educator Newsletter Highlights Winter Teaching Ideas; Educator Workshops; Black History Month Guides [PaEN] -- DCNR To Release Whitewater Into Tohickon Creek For Annual Boating Event In Bucks County March 15-16 -- Lebanon Valley Conservancy Partners With Brett & Janice Balmer To Preserve 34 Acres Of Forest Habitat In Lebanon County [PaEN] -- Legislation Introduced To Promote Biodiversity Through Native Insect Conservation - By Nate Reagle, Certified Pollinator Steward [PaEN] NewsClips: -- Warren Times: Mother-Daughter Duo Honored With Allegheny National Forest Chapter Of North Country Trail Assn. Award -- Williamsport Sun: Being Present With Nature In New Ways To Support Mental Health, Decrease Stress -- Reading Eagle: Nolde Forest Environmental Center Celebrates Investment In Ourdoor Learning -- Scranton Times: Spongy Moths Expected To Be Moderate Across NE Region -- AP: Hiker Rescues Dog From Abandoned Coal Pit After Frigid Weeklong Search In Schuylkill County -- Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County Aims To Draw Crowds With Regional ATV Trail -- Warren Times: Registration Open For Allegheny 100 Hiking Challenge -- York Dispatch: York City, North York At Odds Over Property Maintenance Along York County Rail Trail -- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Franklin Square In Philly Getting $7.8 Million Upgrade With New Playground, Zip Line, Restrooms, Bike Lanes -- WHYY: More Bicycle Lanes Could Come To Philly Connecting To Schuylkill River Trail And Temple -- National Park Service To Hold Public Meetings For Start Of White-Tailed Deer Management Planning For Select National Parks In Western PA -- Inquirer: President Freezes National Park Money For Valley Forge Forest Management -- PennLive Guest Essay: If You Care About National Parks, Forests, Tell Congress To Stop President’s Cuts Now - By Douglas Austen, Fmr Fish & Boat Commission Executive Director -- Warren Times Editorial: Not A Big Fan Of Celebrating President’s Cuts: People Receiving Pink Slips In Our Region Work Each Day To Earn A Paycheck To Support Their Families, It’s Just Adding To The Unemployment Rolls [Posted: February 25, 2025] |
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3/3/2025 |
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