Dear Pam:

Is it me, or does time seem to keep flying by? How did it get to be mid-August?

We are getting excited about the fall retreat. While we had hoped to have a two-day retreat at a retreat center, due to various complications that has changed. Read more below.

PPFF staff are attending a conference of state park foundations and look forward to sharing with you the lessons and ideas from other states.

As always, thank you for all that you do.

Yours in the Outdoors,

Marci J. Mowery, President

TRAINING 

In-Person Chapter Retreat

• • There is a lot of valuable information and interaction that takes place at a chapter retreat and we were truly excited at the idea of bringing everyone together again at last. Logistics didn't work what with one thing or another.
  • Consequently, we will conduct a one-day meeting at Greenwood Furnace State Park on Saturday, November 4th.
  • An additional half day session on Friday, November 3rd will cover the current (and future anticipated) hayride policy for those chapters who may be interested in learning more. We will be joined by Mr. Walt Remmert, Director, who oversees the bureau in the Department of Agriculture that implements the hayride program. We encourage you to invite your park or forest manager to this event if you are offering or wish to offer hayrides.
  • You may make arrangements on your own for available lodging in the area, including in the park campground.
  • A separate email will contain the proposed agenda. We would appreciate your taking a moment to register your attendance. Could we ask that ONE member from each chapter's board make an attempt to attend? 

Chainsaw Training

• • This two-day basics course will be offered at Tuscarora State Park on October 14th and 15th. Three slots still available.
  • More information and registration available now: Event Registration: Chainsaw Training with Peter Jensen (Tuscarora)

Walk With Ease

• • If you are interested in learning how to lead walks for those with arthritis, PPFF will reimburse the cost of participating in the Walk With Ease Training.
  • Walk With Ease is an evidence-based program that has been proven to help people with arthritis or other related conditions reduce pain, increase balance, strength and walking pace, and improve overall health. As a Walk With Ease Program Leader, you’ll help arthritis pain suffers build confidence in their ability to be physically active, and show them how they can make physical activity part of their everyday lives. You’ll learn the relationship between arthritis, exercise, and pain; develop and implement a personal walking plan with realistic goals; and get tips, strategies, and resources for maintaining a long-term exercise routine. Participants receive an Arthritis Foundation certification, a leader's manual filled with exercise illustrations, health education information, and a 6-week walking plan.
  • If you are interested, reach out to Marci at mmowery@paparksandforests.org. In order to qualify for the PPFF reimbursement, you must agree to host a minimum of two Walk With Ease programs at your park or forest, have permission from your park or forest, and successfully pass the course (which requires a CPR certification).

Wilderness First Aid

• • We are working on scheduling another Wilderness First Aid course, this time this fall in the greater Carlisle area. If you are interested, please let us know (include best days of week and time of day).

KNOW

River Missal will be joining PPFF as an AmeriCorps Member focused on trail maintenance and training. River will be organizing training programs, can assist you with a volunteer trail day, and will be looking at building volunteerism for trails without friends groups.

We have another AmeriCorps member position in marketing for Healthy Lands Week that has reopened. To learn more, or to share with someone who might be interested, download the position description and note that the deadline to apply is now August 21.

KNOW TOO

Have you added your event to the Healthy Lands Week website yet? Use the event submission page and join this initiative, part of DCNR's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP):

Like the website says,

Healthy Lands Week is a statewide initiative to strengthen volunteer activities, engage visitors, and raise awareness of stewardship of cultural and natural resources. Through volunteer events, educational programs, recreational programs, volunteer recognition, and other initiatives, it is an annual “rallying cry” for public engagement in the places and landscapes that make Pennsylvania home. This year’s impactful event runs from National Public Lands Day on September 23 through A Walk in Penn’s Woods Day on October 1. Healthy Lands Week also supports Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania initiative.

Events can be items that you already are doing—look at this as another way to promote your work. PPFF is working with social media influencers to highlight the HLW program and offerings to their audiences. Don’t miss out on this free way to build your programs!

SHARE

We are getting ready to pull together our fall newsletter. If you have project or program that you accomplished since May, please send us a  picture and a write up so that we can include and celebrate your successes. Email Pam.

SHARE TOO

Have a topic of expertise that you think might make a good blog? Reach out to Tasha to learn more about our guest blogs and how to get involved.