Stewardship

February 10, 2023

Stop calling me names!

Most natural resource professionals remember their early days of learning to name plants and trees, first learning the common names and then advancing to scientific names. Common names are the source of much confusion and frustration, especially when they don’t seem to make any sense. Ryan Reed lists of some examples of trees with common names that are confusing, questionable, or downright misleading.

February 8, 2023

What’s the difference between a DCNR ranger and a state park manager?

The Pennsylvania Wilds encompasses over 2 million acres of public lands, which are protected and set aside for citizens and visitors to enjoy. The region boasts 29 state parks and eight state forests, which are operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. One common question many travelers have is, "What exactly is the difference between a DCNR ranger and a state park manager?"

January 27, 2023

The incredible snowflake

Have you ever stopped to wonder how many individual snowflakes you might be gazing at when you admire a snow-covered hillside? Both individually and collectively, snowflakes are amazing works of nature.

January 20, 2023

Winter tree ID sleuthing

Winter is a wonderful time to get out and identify Pennsylvania’s forest trees but can present some challenges. For instance, one of the easiest ways to tell a red oak from a red maple is leaf shape, but autumn has stolen that “easy button” from would-be tree detectives. There are still plenty of large clues to narrow down the list of 134 possible native trees to just a few.

January 11, 2023

BIRD LORE: Birds and pollution

Birds seem to be all around us. We don’t really understand how hard it is for birds to navigate their world, or how much human activity has made this navigation more difficult. Like people, birds are very susceptible to the effects of pollution in their environment.

January 3, 2023

Recycling and giving your real Christmas tree a new purpose

When the holidays are over, don’t throw your real Christmas tree out with the trash -- recycle it! The Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources (DCNR) says you can give your old Christmas tree new life, even after the pine needles are starting to fall off of it.

December 9, 2022

DCNR hiring for 2023 nine-month Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is now hiring for its 2023 nine-month young adult crews and cultural resources crew. Nine-month young adult crew members gain numerous real-world skills, job training, and environmental educational opportunities while completing recreation and conservation projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands, including in our PA Wilds region.

November 18, 2022

The Common Hackberry

Hackberry is an interesting looking tree. The bark is the most striking feature, a thick, corky rind that transitions to a flaky appearance as the tree ages. The pea-sized fruits are cherished by wildlife and have been described by foragers to have the texture of a very crunchy peanut M&M with tea, squash, or date flavors.

November 11, 2022

Tree Winterization

Everyone knows that trees change color and drop leaves in autumn, but what else happens in trees when these seasons change? Most wood growth has stopped by mid-summer; flower and leaf buds have been set, and roots store sugar reserves for next year. As days get shorter, they prepare for the cold through a process called acclimatization.

November 3, 2022

Autumn conservation tips: Leave the leaves!

Tired of the endless task of raking the leaves? Well, the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources (DCNR) says this is one chore you don't necessarily have to feel guilty about not doing! By leaving the leaves, you’re improving your part of Pennsylvania’s environment.