The Parks and Recreation Foundation held their first annual awards program to honor individuals, groups and organizations doing outstanding work to support Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests.

The Awards program mcee was Sen. Rob Wonderling (R-Montgomery). The winners included:

Keystone Legacy Award: members of the Civilian Conservation Corps who served in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s park and forest system would not be what it is today if it weren’t for the hard work and dedication of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC “boys” were young men who joined the Corps, a program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide a much-needed boost to a depression economy.

The “boys” provided the work force needed to reclaim the Pennsylvania’s ravaged lands from 1933-1942. They spent their days building roads and trails; planting trees; building dams, cabins, swimming pools and picnic pavilions; and making many improvements to our park and forest system. By the end of the program, 194,500 Pennsylvania citizens served in the CCC nationwide.

Government Award: Michael DiBerardinis, Secretary for Conservation and Natural Resources: Secretary DiBerardinis has helped the agency look beyond its traditional mission as the stewards of our public lands, to one of advocacy and leadership on broad environmental issues around land and water.

Under his leadership, DCNR has undertaken such initiatives as the Pennsylvania Wilds, a nature tourism effort in the northcentral part of the state and TreeVitalize, a public-private partnership that has planted over 10,000 trees to restore tree cover in southeastern Pennsylvania.

He has also lead efforts to promote statewide land conservation, build sustainable communities and create outdoor connections for citizens and visitors. His far-reaching action plan, Shaping a Sustainable Pennsylvania, included widespread public input from thousands of people across the Commonwealth.

Park of the Year: Pymatuning State Park: Pymatuning State Park was selected as this year’s Park of the Year for its exemplary and diverse programming, outstanding facilities and for the many recreational and educational opportunities offered to the public.The park has over 253 environmental education programs throughout the year. In 2006, they launched a new seven week Jr. Park Ranger program. They also host the annual Crawford County Joint Envirothon.

Forest of the Year: Forbes State Forest: In 1909, the Bureau of Forestry made the first purchase of state forest in the Ohio River Watershed—this land formed the beginning of the Forbes State Forest. Recreational users will find trails for hiking and snowshoeing (270 miles), cross-country skiing (160), equestrian riding (185), mountain biking (240), and snowmobiling (116). Hunters, fishermen, backpackers, picnickers, sightseers and a host of other recreational users take advantage of this unique large area of land in the heart of the Laurel Highlands.

Staff within the district have been recognized in 2004 & 2005 Service Foresters of the Year (Bureau award). They utilize many volunteers to help maintain the Forbes through the formation of the Laurel Mountain Volunteer Group which serves to increase communication among groups and the forest district; and they helped to form the first friends group to support a state forest— The Friends of Linn Run and Forbes State Forest.

Friends Group Volunteerism Award: Friends of Codorus State Park: The Friends of Codorus State Park, which formed in early 2006, were selected to receive this award because of the outstanding job they have done engaging volunteers to support the park’s many activities. The following are just a few highlights of their achievements over the past year:

· Formed committees to help manage volunteers in a number of important areas including membership, newsletter, volunteer recognition and history;

· Engaged volunteers in numerous park activities during the year including four park cleanup days, wood splitting, wood and ice sales and various annual events including the annual Cordorus Blast;

· Developed a volunteer recognition program to recognize service beginning at 50 service hours and held a volunteer recognition luncheon;

· Worked with outside volunteer groups to enhance the park including, Lincoln Intermediate Unit special needs students and supervisors, local Bass Casters and veteran’s groups;

· Recruited 38 new members to add to their 116 “charter members;” and

· Conducted 10 significant events in 2006 utilizing over 50 volunteers and 4,724 volunteer hours.

Friends Group Improvement Award: Miller Family, Greenwood Furnace State Park: The Robert E. Miller Jr. family was chosen to receive this award because of their outstanding contribution to the infrastructure and character of Greenwood Furnace State Park.

From January 2006 to August 2006 the Miller family donated their time, skills and materials to the reconstruction of a pavilion that was slated for demolition at a nearby retirement complex. The Miller family, including Bob who owns a welding business in State College, and his brother Terry who is in home construction in New York State, contributed over 700 hours and $10,000 in new materials to this project. With his strong ties to the local community, Bob Miller enlisted the volunteer help of local construction and landscape companies to assist with specialized project tasks.

Friends Group Education Award: Cherry Springs Dark Sky Fund: Cherry Springs Dark Sky Fund was chosen to receive this award for their efforts in raising public awareness about light pollution and the night sky educational programs. These efforts have helped to protect the night sky resource at Cherry Springs from light threats beyond the border of the park as well as helped educate visitors and local residents.

Examples of their extensive efforts include:

· Produced four articles about Cherry Springs for publication in local news media and created an informational brochure about the Fund; presented formal programs;

· Planned and organized public star gazing programs at the Cherry Springs and Black Forest Star Parties; presented local astronomy programs for the Potter County Education Council;

· Organized and planned the “Cherry Springs Dark Sky Work-Bee” volunteer work day. To date, volunteers have planted over 150 white spruce trees to shield the observation field from headlights; constructed six concrete telescope pads; landscaped turf areas and painted buildings; and installed over 600 feet of split rail fence;

· Distributed “Hubble Sky Cap” shields to area residents to direct light downward to the ground; and

· Provided guidance to the Galeton Center Town Park and Main Street Committee to assist them with the selection of shielded dark sky street light fixtures.

Sponsors of the awards program include: InfoSpherix, Woolrich, PPL Corporation, Aqua America, PA Recreation and Park Society, Delta Development Group, Mr. Joseph Ibberson and an anonymous donation in honor of William C. Forrey.

For information on the Parks and Recreation Foundation, call 717-236-7644 or send email to Marcy Mowery, PA Parks and Forests Foundation, at mmowery-ppff@pa.net

5/18/2007