Pennsylvania Parks And Forests Foundation

PPFF'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP OF PENNSYLVANIA'S STATE PARKS AND FORESTS.

THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT PROVIDED THE THEME BY WHICH THE FOUNDATION ORGANIZED THEIR YEAR, WORKING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ROLE THIS IMPORTANT AMENDMENT PLAYS IN PENNSYLVANIA'S STATE PARKS AND FORESTS. FROM A PHOTO CONTEST TO OUR FIRST EVER SONG CONTEST, FROM A VIRTUAL FORUM TO A POETRY CONTEST, THE FOCUS ON THE AMENDMENT WAS KEY. TO EDUCATE DECISION MAKERS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, AND LOCAL LEADERS ON THE VALUE OF STATE PARKS AND FORESTS WE RETURNED TO LEADING TOURS OF STATE PARK AND FOREST INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS. WE EMBARKED ON A QUEST TO WRITE A SERIES OF ARTICLES TO SHOWCASE THE ROLE THAT PARKS AND FORESTS PLAY IN HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ECONOMY, AND CREATED EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS, TOO. ALWAYS TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF PARKS AND FORESTS TO PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH, ALONG WITH THE ECONOMIC VALUES OF THESE PLACES IN THE LANDSCAPE, FIVE VIDEOS WERE CREATED TO SPREAD THE WORD. THESE VIDEOS, ALONG WITH OTHER RECORDINGS OF LUNCH AND LEARNS AND INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS, ARE READILY FOUND ON THE PENNSYLVANIA PARKS AND FORESTS FOUNDATION YOUTUBE CHANNEL. PART OF OUR MISSION TO ENHANCE THE SKILLS OF OUR VOLUNTEERS IS TO PROVIDE TRAINING, LIKE IN THE SAFE USE OF CHAINSAWS. TWENTY-FIVE SAWYERS WERE CERTIFIED IN 2021. IT TAKES STRENGTH AND STAMINA TO WIELD THIS EQUIPMENT; AND TO LEARN TO USE THEM IN A WHITE-OUT AS THESE HEARTY SAWYERS CAN ATTEST. PPFF AND FRIENDS STRIVE TO IMPROVE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND TO MAKE PARKS AND FORESTS WELCOMING DESTINATIONS FOR ALL VISITORS. A SAMPLING OF EXPENDITURE OF TIME AND FUNDS INCLUDES; 5 PLAYGROUNDS BUILT 1 ADA KAYAK LAUNCH PLACED 427 MATURE TREES PLANTED 18 GARDENS MAINTAINED 116 TRAILS MAINTAINED 11 TRAIL BRIDGES BUILT OR MAINTAINED 3 INTERPRETIVE PANELS PLACED 1 AMPHITHEATER BUILT 25 SAWYERS TRAINED