New website to help people protect state parks, forests

When it comes to protecting Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, one agency understands the importance of education about the challenges facing them. 

From conservation of natural resources and upkeep of high-hazard dams, to building and asset maintenance costs, to challenges associated with climate change and funding shortfalls — our state parks and forests face a wide range of obstacles.

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF), a non-profit with a mission geared towards Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, recently unveiled a new website —  ProtectOurParksandForests.org — designed to help bring these issues to the forefront and mobilize the public on the issues.

In a press release, the organization wrote: “Visitors to the website will learn about the challenges facing state parks and forests, why investing in our parks and forests make sense for our economy and human health, and resources to take action. State parks and forests attract millions of visitors each year and are part of the $29 billion outdoor recreation industry in the state.”

The new website is an important step in educating enthusiasts and decision makers about the importance of parks and forests, as well as the need to address more than $1 billion in maintenance, safety and infrastructure needs in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests. The Pennsylvania Wilds alone is home to more than 2 million acres of these lands. 

What can you find on the website?

• A report detailing the urgent needs within the parks and forest system. 
• Information on staff, funding and materials that have fallen short in recent years.
• An opportunity to join the movement to protect parks and forests for today and for future generations.
• Ways to take action. 

“Pennsylvania’s parks and forests are protected under our Environmental Rights Amendment to our state constitution,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “They are essential to the nature of who we are, our cultural identity, and to protecting human and environmental health. They also provide a myriad of services that, if we had to replicate them today, would cost millions of dollars. Investing in our parks and forests makes sense.”

State parks and forests attract millions of visitors each year and are part of the $29 billion outdoor recreation industry in the state.

About the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation