Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Working to ensure a place--and an experience--for everyone in Pennsylvania's state parks and forests. Http://paparksandforests.org

A small but mighty state forest located in the Lumber Heritage region of the state, Cornplanter State Forest comprises o...
10/23/2026

A small but mighty state forest located in the Lumber Heritage region of the state, Cornplanter State Forest comprises of 1,585 acres across Forest, Crawford, and Warren counties. It's named in honor of Chief Cornplanter, a Native-American leader of the Seneca tribe, who maintained peace between the fledgling United States government and the Iroquois from 1784 to 1812.

Fall color is peaking up in Cornplanter right now, but there's plenty of other recreation opportunities to enjoy. Anders Run is a wild and natural area full of old-growth hemlock and white pine trees, estimated to be about 400 years old. There's also 13.5 miles of hiking trails to trek, an abundance of fishing locations for both trout and warm-water species, sightseeing, camping and more.

What's your favorite state forest to visit?

📸:
#1: Location Hub
#2: Lumber Heritage Region
#3 & 4: Henrietta Newman, All Trails
#5: DCNR

More trees, please!🌲Earlier this month, volunteers from People First Credit Union planted 12 trees and 15 shrubs at the ...
10/22/2026

More trees, please!🌲

Earlier this month, volunteers from People First Credit Union planted 12 trees and 15 shrubs at the disc golf course at Nockamixon State Park. This is their 3rd time coming out to Nockamixon to plant trees in this space, which was originally populated by dozens of ash trees that were decimated by the emerald ash borer a few years ago. It's wonderful to see this group return each planting season to give these trees and shrubs new homes, plus they get to see how their previous plantings are doing!

Also, a special shout out to JC, who led and coordinated these replanting efforts with park staff and PPFF. We're so grateful for your expertise, passion, and enthusiasm for this work, so THANK YOU!

These species were planted during this round of planting, providing more diversity in the landscape to create a more resilient habitat:

🌲 6 Serviceberry trees
🍂 1 Red Maple
🌲 2 Sugar Maple
🍂 1 Kentucky Coffee tree
🌲 2 Pin Oaks
🍂 5 Ninebark
🌲 10 Winterberry Holly

A huge thank you to all who took part in this successful planting!

🌲The Run for the Trees Happy Little (Virtual) 5k is BACK!🌲Registration for the 2027 Happy Little 5k is now open! Walk, r...
10/22/2026

🌲The Run for the Trees Happy Little (Virtual) 5k is BACK!🌲

Registration for the 2027 Happy Little 5k is now open! Walk, run, or roll anytime between April 22-30, 2027 and support tree planting efforts across Pennsylvania. Hurry, registration for this event has sold out in past years, so register early to reserve your spot and preferred t-shirt size!

Registration link in the comments.

If you're a PA state employee, please consider PPFF for your SECA donation!
10/21/2026

If you're a PA state employee, please consider PPFF for your SECA donation!

🌲250 Voices of the Outdoors Story Series - part 5🌲Meet Shea and Jake, who's love story began at Ricketts Glen State Park...
10/20/2026

🌲250 Voices of the Outdoors Story Series - part 5🌲

Meet Shea and Jake, who's love story began at Ricketts Glen State Park and continued to grow alongside their shared love of the outdoors. They met up at different state parks over the course of their long-distance relationship, quickly grabbing themselves the state park and forest passport books, and exploring where their romance whisked them off to next!

They officially tied the knot at Promised Land State Park and continue to explore their way across the state, looking to complete the passport and join their local Friends chapter!

Thank you Shea and Jake for sharing your beautiful love story!

If you'd like to share your story on how PA's state parks and forests have impacted you in some way, see the link in the comments.

Save the Date!Support projects and initiatives across Pennsylvania's parks and forests during Lancaster County's ExtraGi...
10/20/2026

Save the Date!

Support projects and initiatives across Pennsylvania's parks and forests during Lancaster County's ExtraGive on November 20!

ATTENTION PENNSYLVANIA HUNTERS 🦌🐻Special fi****ms seasons for BLACK BEAR and ANTLERLESS DEER run Thursday, October 22, t...
10/20/2026

ATTENTION PENNSYLVANIA HUNTERS 🦌🐻

Special fi****ms seasons for BLACK BEAR and ANTLERLESS DEER run Thursday, October 22, through SUNDAY, October 25, 2026!

These statewide opportunities are open to:
🔸 Junior and senior license holders
🔸 Mentored permit holders—ages 7 and older for bear
🔸 Eligible active-duty military
🔸 Hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind

Before heading afield, make sure you have the required hunting license or mentored permit, plus a valid antlerless license for the WMU you’re hunting or a bear license for bear hunting.

🟠 SAFETY REMINDER
Hunters must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange combined on their head, chest, and back, visible from 360 degrees.

🐻 BEAR HARVESTS
All harvested bears must be checked by the Pennsylvania Game Commission within 24 hours. Call 1-833-PGC-HUNT for instructions.

🦌 DEER HARVESTS
Report all deer harvests within 10 days—online, by mail, or by calling 1-800-838-4431.

Check the current Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest for complete eligibility, licensing, and season rules.

Whether you’re taking a young hunter afield or heading out yourself, F.O.W.O.A. wishes you a safe and memorable hunt. Teach good habits, respect the harvest, and enjoy the time together!

Send your photos and stories to Future Outdoorsmen & Women of America through Messenger!

We love making new friends and we also love our Friends Groups!We're giving a shout out to all our awesome Friends chapt...
10/19/2026

We love making new friends and we also love our Friends Groups!

We're giving a shout out to all our awesome Friends chapters because they're such wonderful volunteers and supporters of Pennsylvania's parks and forests. They provide thousands of hours of volunteer service in a variety of ways, from hosting monthly hikes, trail stewardship projects, and park/forest cleanups, to coordinating a wide-range of community events, educational workshops, infrastructure projects, and so much more.

So if you're looking to make some new friends and give back to your favorite park or forest, check out your local Friends group! And a huge thank you to all of you who volunteer your time to enhance the visitor experience at our parks and forests, support park staff, and love Pennsylvania's public lands the way you do.

For more information about joining a Friends chapter or even starting your own, visit our website in the comments below.

📸:
#1 - Friends of Cook Forest SP
#2 - Friends of Pine Grove Furnace SP
#3 - Friends of Beltzville SP
#4 - Friends of Pinchot SP
#5 - Friends of Trough Creek & Warriors Path SPs

Did you know that Pine Grove Furnace State Park used to be a Revolutionary War-era iron furnace?In 1764, partners George...
10/16/2026

Did you know that Pine Grove Furnace State Park used to be a Revolutionary War-era iron furnace?

In 1764, partners George Stevenson, Robert Thornburgh and John Arthur built an iron furnace along Mountain Creek, naming it Pine Grove Iron Works. It manufactured ten plate stoves, fireplace backs, iron kettles and possibly mu*****ns during the American Revolution.

Since it was built, the iron works had multiple owners and saw a handful of expansions over the years, including the addition of the South Mountain Railroad. It survived a couple financial crises and stayed operational through the Civil War, finally closing permanently in 1895, spanning a total of 131 years of iron making on South Mountain.

Today, you can still see these historic buildings dating back to the iron-making days:

- The Blast Furnace
- Ironmaster’s Mansion
- Clerk’s office
- Stable
- Grist Mill (now the Appalachian Trail Museum)
- The second Ironmaster’s Mansion (now the Park Office)

For a deeper dive into the history of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, check out our YouTube video on the park and visitors center, linked in the comments.

📸:
#1: Sam Rob, featuring Andre Weltman of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace
#2: Mirjam Spaar
#3: David Raymond
#4: Michael Bowlin

Happy Mushroom Day to all who celebrate!🍄The world of fungi is a fascinating place to explore, and there's definitely no...
10/15/2026

Happy Mushroom Day to all who celebrate!🍄

The world of fungi is a fascinating place to explore, and there's definitely no shortage of them around Pennsylvania during this time of the year. When temps start droppin' the mushrooms start poppin'!

Foraging for edible mushrooms is acceptable in PA parks and forests for personal use ONLY, but know your park or forest's regulations regarding foraging and proper methods of identifying before you start foraging to your heart's content. There's a lot of non-edible lookalikes out there!

For more information on how to forage responsibly, check out the 'Fall Fungi Foraging' blog, written by Cara Barkley Coulter of the Western PA Mushroom Club, linked in the comments.

Where's your favorite park or forest to find cool mushrooms at?

📸:
#1: Sarah McAfee, McConnells Mill SP
#2: Larry Laird, Michaux SF
#3: Alicia Wehrle, Clear Creek SF
#4: Brenda Mummert, Yellow Creek SP
#5: Colleen Zenns, Sinnemahoning SP
#6: Colin Gillette, Forbes SF
#7: Jeanne Henry, Laurel Hill SP

Address

704 Lisburn Road Suite 102
Camp Hill, PA
17011

Telephone

+17172367644

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation:

Shortcuts

Share

Category