Celebrate the Earth in the PA Wilds
Happy Earth Day!
April 22 marks Earth Day each year, a day when people from around the country and the world are asked to celebrate the earth and steward the environment around them.
These are two things we can do any day, but Earth Day reminds each of us to be mindful and proactive.
With its roots extending back to 1970 demonstrations, the annual celebration continues to thrive and connect people with the land. And that’s something easy to do in the Pennsylvania Wilds, which offers over 2 million acres of public lands to explore and appreciate.
There are many ways to celebrate and steward the environment and public spaces across the region.
Whether you’re looking to clean up or beautify a part of your community, host an educational event showcasing the importance of the environment, or even plant trees to combat carbon dioxide emissions — you can make a difference for the environment. You can plan your own event with a group, or you can get involved in an event already taking place. Just remember, it doesn’t necessarily have to take place on Earth Day for you to take action!
On May 4, for example, you could help plant trees at Moshannon State Forest in Clearfield County.
This event is being organized by the PA Environmental Council (PEC) and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as part of a larger reforestation effort across the Appalachian Region.
The May 4 tree planting will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting at the Moshannon State Forest District Office, 3372 State Park Road in Penfield (Clearfield County). The event will be held rain or shine, and volunteers should wear boots or sturdy shoes. PEC and DCNR will take care of the rest, including food and supplies.
Click here to sign up as a volunteer.
The Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, which overlaps with Earth Day, also provides opportunities to give back to the environment from March 1 through May 31.
There are many events slated across the Commonwealth and in the beautiful landscapes of the Pennsylvania Wilds, a perfect opportunity for you to get involved!
Here are some of the registered events taking place in the PA Wilds (some of them are today!):
- April 22: Ridgway Borough/Spring Creek Township Spring Cleanup (Elk County)
- April 22-28: The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Richard James Memorial City Cleanup (Lycoming County)
- April 22: Sandy Township (Clearfield County)
- April 27: Parker Dam State Park (Clearfield County)
- April 27: Downtown DuBois Revitalization Group (Clearfield County)
- April 27: Roseville Borough (Tioga County)
- April 27: Black Moshannon State Park (Centre County)
- April 27: Haneyville Vol. Fire Co. (Clinton + Lycoming Counties)
- April 27: PRR (Preserve, Renew and Revitalize) (Clinton County)
- April 28: Hallton Area Community (Elk County)
- April 29: Tioga County Conservation District (Tioga County)
See the complete listing of events here. Or learn how you can host your own event and have supplies provided by the PA Department of Transportation here.
According to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, the 2018 Great American Cleanup of PA included 5,362 events, which brought together 108,638 volunteers who recycled 1,107,164 pounds of materials and disposed of 6,632,920 pounds of trash. Throughout the three-month long event, volunteers cleaned up 8,915 miles of roads, shorelines and trails throughout Pennsylvania and properly disposed of 19,753 tires. They also planted 10,979 trees, shrubs, and flowers.
You can even look for a fun event.
For example, the Lock Haven Earth Day Festival will take place on April 27 at Triangle Park in Clinton County. This event offers opportunities for people to come together to honor the Earth, learn more about the environmental issues it is facing, and consider ways to make an impact. Learn more here.
No matter what you choose to do, the Pennsylvania Wilds is the perfect backdrop for your activities.
Photo credits – Top left: aerial shot of Lock Haven by Garrett Fisher; top right: aerial shot of Nebraska Bridge by Kyle Yates; bottom: Allegheny Reservoir by Olivia Blackmore.
Do you know of an upcoming event celebrating the Earth and encouraging environmental stewardship? Let us know in the comment section below!