Dear Pam:

The past two days have been challenging with the current air quality; some parts of the state worse than others. I do hope that you and yours are safe. Please follow all precautions if you are planning volunteer days or outdoor events.

As you are also aware, Pennsylvania is experiencing very dry conditions, with some counties implementing burn bans. On Tuesday, there were over 30 wildfires across the state. As the dry period continues, we may see some additional areas setting burn bans or campfires may be banned. I know that for those groups selling firewood this could have an adverse impact, yet know that you understand the reason measures may be implemented to reduce the risk of wildfires. Hopefully we will begin seeing rain and measures will not have to be implemented.

Yours in the Outdoors,

Marci J. Mowery, President

TRAINING 

The following training opportunities are being made available to Chapter leaders. Please weigh in on interest or commitment to attending as applicable in the attached survey. For informational purposes:

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL with an opioid overdose/ Naloxone administration add-on
  
  • • Presented as a hybrid online and in-person session by American Red Cross
    • In-person: 7/17/2023, 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, at the PPFF office, 704 Lisburn Road in Camp Hill
    • An additional online portion of the training must be completed prior to the on-site training.
    • Six slots available at no charge on a first come, first-served basis. Registration required on survey.
  • Interpretive Host Training 
    • Presented by DCNR, this training will give volunteers/docents/front-line staff the opportunity to learn the basics about interpretation, best-practices for interacting with visitors, and other customer service techniques
    • Two two-day workshops:
      • 10/24 and 10/25 at Laurel Hill State Park (likely at no charge)
      • 11/1 and 11/2 at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center (likely with a charge for your lodging at the Cameron Masland Mansion)
    • A minimum of 10 participants are required before DCNR will commit to scheduling these so please express interest/preference for location in the attached survey form.  
  • Wilderness First Aid
    • • Offered by Keystone Wilderness Medicine/NOLS, this 16-hour (two-day) course of instruction covers patient assessment and how to provide basic care for sick or injured patients. Students will participate in hands-on scenarios in addition to classroom lectures and activities.
      • 8/19 and 8/20 in Philipsburg
      • The cost of the course is $335/person. PPFF will cover 50% or $167.50 of the cost with the participant responsible for the balance of $167.50. This is a cost that could be covered by the Friends group treasury.
      • The class fills quickly. Express your commitment to attending on the survey attached and we will make the arrangements for attendance.
      • Note: Please do not sign up for this course unless your Chapter realistically offers a "back country" type experience to visitors. If you are chainsaw certified, this IS a good add-on to your skill set.
  • Chainsaw Training
    • • This two-day basics course will be offered at a location TBD in the central part of the state (think Dauphin or Schuylkill counties).
      • Potential dates are 9/23 and 9/24, 10/7 and 10/8, and 10/14 and 10/15. Select a preferred date or set of dates on the survey with more information on registration to follow.
  • In-Person Chapter Retreat
    • • Our first post-COVID retreat! We are looking at the first or second weekend of November in the central part of the state.
      • Please note your preference for weekend on the survey. 

Access the survey here.

KNOW

Recently one of our precious volunteers was injured while doing trail work. He is fine, thankfully, but it was a not-very-welcome reminder that everyone who volunteers, and that means EVERYONE, must be registered on the DCNR Conservation Volunteers website.

We will be among the first to agree with you that it is a clunky and not user-friendly website in spite of years of efforts to try and streamline it. But please do stop whatever you are doing and register now. 

We'll wait. 

KNOW TOO

We hope that by the time you read this, the event submission page of the Healthy Lands Week website will be activated. Last minute tweaks are happening and we don't want to hold this email any longer so the training survey gets in your hands and inboxes. 

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.

Please do consider registering your event for this year's week.

SHARE

 Our newest PPFF newsletter is available on the Publications page of our website as a PDF. Feel free to share with others—there is some great information on dark skies, trail etiquette, and how to read trail markers. At any time if you have an idea for a story or infographic, let me know! Or if you want to write a blog for the website, contact Tasha at tferris@paparksandforests.org.