Senate’s budget would close at least 35 state parks, put help for communities, natural resources at risk The millions of visitors who flock to Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests to relax and experience nature’s beauty would have fewer opportunities to do so under a budget plan that passed the Senate two weeks ago. If enacted, DCNR acting Secretary John Quigley said the Senate proposal will force the agency to close at least 35 state parks and 1,000 miles of state forest roads, which would sharply reduce access for anglers, hunters and hikers. Under Senate Bill 850, an additional $19 million would be cut from DCNR’s budget beyond the difficult but prudent reductions Governor Edward G. Rendell proposed in February. Read more... Share your ideas on outdoor recreation at public meetings in June Pennsylvania residents are invited to share their ideas on how to improve outdoor recreation opportunities at three public meetings being held throughout the state in June. Read more... 'Great Backyard Bird Count’ results are in, and state parks visitors help with tallies They were busy counting in R.B. Winter State Park. Read more... History comes alive for writers converging on Oil City area Jake Weiland shared the floor with some very interesting characters not long ago when he welcomed a group of outdoors communicators to the park he manages along Oil Creek, Venango County. Read more... Also in the News Two DCNR employees earn ‘Governor’s Awards for Excellence’ Gov. Edward G. Rendell recently announced the recipients of the third annual Governor’s Awards for Excellence—and praised all state employees for their dedication to service during national Public Employee Recognition Week. This year, eight state employees were recognized for their service, with two from DCNR. William Delling of Wayne County, George Hunter of Monroe County, and Clark Verchuk of Lackawanna County were recognized for helping save the life of a lost hunter. These DCNR employees were part of a rescue team that worked for more than 20 hours in difficult weather and terrain searching for a hunter who had been lost for more than 35 hours in sub-freezing temperatures. They selflessly provided their own outerwear to the hunter who was disoriented, unresponsive, and believed to be close to death. To warm him, two of the rescuers laid on the ground beside the victim while the others kept him covered. After 45 minutes, the hunter’s core temperature rose and he became more coherent. To learn more about the Governor’s Awards for Excellence program, visit here. Gov. proclaims Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell has proclaimed this week (May 17-23) as "Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania to help draw attention to the devastating, non-native invasive beetle that has been killing trees in six Pennsylvania counties during the past two years. The Governor urged the public to help contain the beetle's spread to protect trees and also the jobs associated with Pennsylvania's $25 billion forest products industry. "The Emerald ash borer has already killed tens of millions of ash trees nationwide and its arrival in Pennsylvania could have a damaging affect on our hardwoods industry," said Gov. Rendell. "Pennsylvania has been proactive in controlling its spread by enacting a firewood quarantine for counties found to have infestations and completing in-depth surveys to determine the extent of the infestations. Firewood is the primary means of long distance movement for emerald ash borer and other invasive forest pests so this camping season, people are reminded to use only locally cut sources of firewood and to burn it completely on site. To help protect Pennsylvania's forests and urban trees, "burn it where you buy it." The beetle was first detected in Pennsylvania in the summer of 2007 in Butler County and has since been found in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer and Mifflin counties. State and federal quarantines in six counties restrict the movement from the quarantine area of ash nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material, including logs, stumps, roots and branches, and all wood chips. For more information on EAB, go here. Appalachian Mountain Club kicks off Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Network project On May 16, over 100 trail enthusiasts joined the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), the NY-NJ Trail Conference (NYNJTC) and the Borough of Riegelsville, Bucks County, to celebrate the near-completion of the 150-mile Highlands Trail in New Jersey and New York by welcoming the trail into Riegelsville. The celebration began on the New Jersey side of the Riegelsville Toll-Supported Bridge with speeches given by the NYNJTC and Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. The celebration continued with a hike across the bridge welcoming the Highlands Trail into Pennsylvania. This included a ribbon-cutting on the New Jersey/Pennsylvania border in the middle of the Delaware River on the bridge. Speeches followed on the Pennsylvania side adjacent to The Riegelsville Inn by the Borough of Riegelsville, AMC, Pa. Representative Marguerite Quinn, and DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s Diane Kripas. A special unveiling of the “Welcome to Riegelsville/Highlands Trail” sign proceeded officially marking the beginning of the Highlands Trail in Pennsylvania. The celebration finished with refreshments and a silent auction at the Borough Park including hikes at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary and paddling demonstrations on the Delaware River. AMC also unveiled “Hike the Highlands” cards that AMC has done in partnership with Wildlands Conservancy. The cards feature 22 hikes throughout the 13-county PA Highlands. For more information—and to download individual Pennsylvania Hike the Highlands cards, visit here. Park Spotlight S.B. Elliott State Park Once under white pine and hemlock—now oak and maple—S.B. Elliott State Park still provides one with a leafy retreat. Read more... Upcoming Events Wetland Dusk Walk at Promised Land State Park May 22, 2009, from 7 to 9 p.m. Seasonal wetlands are home to a variety of amphibians and reptiles, and many of them are most active as night approaches. Those interested can join Naturalist Jen Naugle to explore this unique habitat, providing hikers wear waterproof shoes and bug repellent. Flashlights not necessary, though one will be available for emergencies. For more information, call (570) 676-0567. French Creek State Park hosting 'Activity Day' for people with disabilities May 23, 2009. DCNR will host a special event for area residents with disabilities at French Creek State Park. An "Accessibility Adventure Day" will take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and be offered free of charge to a maximum of 40 registered participants and their guests. Participants and friends, attendants or family members will be able to use adaptive equipment to participate in a wide range of activities, including cycling, swimming, fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, and an interpretive hike led by forester and accessibility advocate Phil McGrath. For more information or to register for the event, contact Stephanie Strub at (215) 453-5015 or visit here.		May 20, 2009 Top Stories Senate’s budget would close at least 35 state parks, put help for communities, natural resources at risk Share your ideas on outdoor recreation at public meetings in June ‘Great Backyard Bird Count’ results are in, and state parks visitors help with tallies History comes alive for writers converging on Oil City area More News... Also in the News Two DCNR employees earn ‘Governor’s Awards for Excellence Gov. proclaims Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Pennsylvania Appalachian Mountain Club kicks off Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Network project S.B. Elliott State Park Once under white pine and hemlock—now oak and maple—S.B. Elliott State Park still provides one with a leafy retreat. Read more... Featured Events: Wetland Dusk Walk at Promised Land State Park More Events...

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