Welcome to May! It's still a bit rainy and cool here in the Laurel Highlands but everyone is commenting online about the proliferation of trillium this year. More reds than we have ever seen from Confluence up the Great Allegheny Passage above Harnedsville; more white (and a surprising number of pink) down from Ramcat toward Ohiopyle). Not to mention the rushing of the little streams and waterfalls along the trail. 

I am sure you can guess that the masthead is merely a small portion of a spectacular night sky shot by Bill Sisson. "The heart of our galaxy," he rightly called it. For those curious, he says, "I use a Pentax K-1 with built-in star tracking for the stars, and a Samyang 14 mm lens. This is a 2 exposure blend, a 50 second tracked exposure for the stars and reflected stars, and four minute untracked exposure for the forest and reflected forest."

Through your support, 17 volunteers and DCNR staff members spent two days this week—with another 8 volunteers taking part next week—in two-day chainsaw safety training. Shown here in the classroom setting prior to heading out for cutting, these intrepid volunteers (and DCNR staff!) work tirelessly to maintain the trails that you enjoy in your visits to parks and forests. 

Thank you for making these safety trainings possible—and in helping to keep access to recreation open. 

Nate Reigner, the Commonwealth's Director of Outdoor Recreation, authored a piece in the latest DCNR "Good Natured Blog" reiterating the impact of the outdoor recreation economy in Pennsylvania.  Of course, you've seen our video on this very subject, right?

The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation shared their own take on the topic in an April blog post, "Cumberland Valley's Outdoor Assets Important to Economy and Quality of Life."

As Nate writes, "Next time you hike, paddle, ride, hunt, fish, ski, watch birds, or simply enjoy Pennsylvania’s scenery; next time you attend a community planning meeting, talk to your zoning commissioner, or consider an employment move; next time you purchase a piece of Pennsylvania-made recreation equipment or patronize a Pennsylvania-owned outdoor retailer, do so with an appreciation for the importance of outdoor recreation for Pennsylvania’s economy and prosperity.

You are doing right by yourself, your community, and our commonwealth."

Want to join us for a little tree or plant planting next week? We are taking some of those generous donations you have been making to the Year of the Trees campaign and getting trees in the ground. Drop me a line to get details on time and meeting place(s).

Watch PPFF's social media for a daily theme, food for thought, a suggested activity. Mother's Day starts with Cherished Memories!

And check out guest blogger extraordinaire Christian Alexandersen's latest blog, "Why I Love PA's State Parks." Are your reasons similar?

In furtherance of ruffed grouse, Leah Simcisko of Exceptional Eye Photography shared a video in the Exploring PA Parks & Forests Book of Faces of one fully ruffed. Quite impressive. 

My trivia question from last week kind of worried me. When I asked what the famous drumming grouse drums ON, I had read one particular and very surprising answer. But each email that came in gave the same response: a low log, stump, or rock. Hmmm. Then, Janet from Coraopolis, who's been a reader and member for a long time now came in with the answer I had read. They drum on the air!

Now I imagine they stand on a low log, stump, or rock to perform but, as you will see from this video, the actual drumming is the beat of his wings on air. Way to go, Janet!

As for the April contest, our  randomly selected winner is Teresa of Windber, practically a neighbor as I told her!

In honor of Mother's Day and the #ILovePAParks kick-off, for this week's trivia, share your favorite state park (or forest) cherished memory!

Enter each week to increase your chances of a fabulous prize at the end of the month when I'll draw one entry from all correct answers received during the month.

No. I won't think about the fact that we're looking toward the weekend of May 20/21/22 for this week's "plan ahead calendar." 

Blue boxes locate events; green photographs and news.

Photo by David Raymond. Michaux State Forest.

Check out PPFF Board member Paul Fogal's guest blog, "Biking: My Favorite Way to Travel" on the PPFF news page.