Stewardship

February 1, 2024

Trails at Jakes Rocks named as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail Of The Year

The Trails at Jakes Rocks, a 35-mile natural surface trail system located in the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, has been named Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail of the Year. The trails, located in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds, are used primarily for mountain biking. However, other types of recreation such as hiking, trail running, and cross-country skiing are also permitted.

January 30, 2024

Allegheny River named Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year, second time winning

The Allegheny River in the western section of the Pennsylvania Wilds has been selected by a public vote as Pennsylvania's 2024 River of the Year, the second time within the past ten years that the Allegheny has won the prestigious award. Although the Allegheny River was the 2017 River of the Year, it has won again, proving its worth as a place to paddle, fish, photograph and enjoy. With specifically 86.6 miles of recreational use in the PA Wilds region, the National Wild & Scenic Allegheny River flows through forest valleys, wilderness islands and rural landscapes.

January 29, 2024

The role of quiet

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) set out to learn about the health and experience of a quiet environment. “The Role of Quiet” video explores the science of how sounds affect us, the benefits to our mental health, and tips for making the most out of visits submerged in nature.

January 26, 2024

Forest Fridays: Life below the snow

For many of us, thoughts of winter are inseparable from snow-covered landscapes. While we enjoy the beauty and softness of snow, along with the winter activities it supports, other creatures appreciate the snow for a different reason. For those small enough to enjoy it, a persistent layer of snow presents an exclusive world of resources and protection beneath its surface. That world is known by scientists as the subnivean environment. 

January 23, 2024

How to Leave No Trace during the winter in the PA Wilds

Wintertime is one of the most beautiful times to visit the Pennsylvania Wilds: the landscape sparkles with snowy white dust, the air is crisp and clean, and familiar views suddenly look more magical. New adventures, like skiing or snowshoeing, become possible in the snow. As you’re enjoying outdoor recreation during winter in the PA Wilds, follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace to ensure that you and others have the best experience possible, while also respecting the beautiful natural world and wildlife that we are so fortunate to have.

January 18, 2024

National Wild and Scenic Rivers of the PA Wilds: Allegheny and Clarion

The Pennsylvania Wilds region has some of the best flat water paddling and fishing in the United States! When anglers and paddlers research the PA Wilds, they come across these words: “two Wild and Scenic Rivers.” They often ask where those two rivers are, why the words “wild” and “scenic” are capitalized, and why only two rivers out of the many PA Wilds waterways are called out as such. The term comes from the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a registry that was created with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. The Allegheny River and the Clarion River within the PA Wilds are on the Wild and Scenic Rivers registry, and for good reason.

December 29, 2023

BIRD LORE: Appreciating our feathered friends

Peek outside your window any day in North Central Pennsylvania and you are certain to see a variety of beautiful birds.  For instance, having a family of cardinals as your neighbors is one of the privileges of living in our rural area.  Birds are in such abundance here that it is easy to lose perspective of how truly blessed we are to have so many of them living amongst us.  

December 27, 2023

Red in the winter woods

This time of the year, even the woods are decked out for the holiday season! Red is used in celebrating and decorating for winter solstice, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, and symbolizes many things. There are many plants with red berries or stems that add a festive contrast to the neutral whites and browns of a winter woods.

December 20, 2023

Wrapping your holiday gifts in an eco-friendly way

The holiday season is here! No matter how you choose to celebrate, everyone can choose sustainability this season. Wrapping paper, gift bags, tape, and tags often get tossed after their first use. Here are some ways to help make your gift wrapping and gift giving more eco-friendly, as well as some tips for making sure the gift inside that wrapping paper is also a smart and sustainable choice.

December 15, 2023

Participate in the 124th Christmas Bird Count

Love birdwatching? Consider signing up to participate in a Christmas Bird Count near you! Data collected from the Christmas Bird Count helps inform ornithologists and conservation biologists about how the birds of the Americas are faring over time. The Christmas Bird Count will be conducted from Thursday, December 14, 2023, through Friday, January 5, 2024. Although the counts are held during that time period, counts are held on only one specific day during that time for each area, so check your area for more information.