As you read this, our annual PPFF board retreat has finished up at Greenwood Furnace State Park and I am on my way to Yellow Creek State Park for one of the many announcement events around the improvements being planned as a result of the American Rescue Plan funding. 

With each announcement we again thank YOU for making your voice heard for this much needed funding for park and forest maintenance.

The job of securing full funding is far from over (take a look at the still very relevant ProtectOurParksandForests.org website for a look at how large the problem still is). We are definitely doing a happy dance for the progress the ARP will set in motion. We'll just all understand that it's to be the nudge that gets the ball rolling.

Sunrise at Locust Lake from Sherry Culbert/Wanderlust Photography brings together two favorite things - sky and water. 

Two "benches with a view" start our photos this week. These each come from the private Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Book of Faces so a click to the pic will attempt to take you there for the original. It occurs to me that this would make a nice series. Hmmm. Any takers? Share your favorite state park or forest seat!  #seatwithaview

Our Healthy Lands Week pitch this week - featuring one of our all-time favorite benches with a view (Susquehannock State Forest).

Trivia answer from last week - the larger litter between the snapping turtle or the hellbender? Definitely the hellbender! The female lays between 200 and 400 (some say even 450) eggs while the snapper only manages 15 to 20. This is a terrific article by the folks at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. 

Our board of directors are dynamic, engaged, and really fun to hang out with. They love the outdoors and they deserve the thanks of every PPFF supporter for the amount of time and energy they devote to the cause. Get to know them and, for this week's trivia entry, tell me who two of them are. Bonus entry if you've actually met one of them!

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.

As we do, indeed, look forward to Labor Day weekend know that the parks will be crowded so if your favorite place is jam-packed, consider seeking out a lesser known trail or park. VisitPA included a Top 10 list back in March, 2021. I don't know if I necessarily agree some are "lesser known," but you get the idea. And, look, a bench with a view right on the banner!

Put a bookmark on the PPFF Events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events so you never miss an announcement.

Blue boxes locate events; green photographs and news.