Taking a moment today to wish The Boss a very Happy Birthday. President Marci is off celebrating and, we hope, relaxing. Oh, who are WE kidding? She and Joe are campground hosting!

Photographer Rita Marie noted the masthead pic as "first sunset of Spring" at Presque Isle. Quite wavy, too.

So I goofed on the link last week. Guest blogger Christian Alexandersen's post on the weird things he encountered on his park visits linked to the Sinnemahoning fish print class. Well, I did promise "weird." Catch up for real at the actual link.

While you are at the News page, guest blogger Christian shares his first post in a new series featuring outdoor influencers focused on PA’s parks and forests. This series will highlight those who explore, adventure in, and steward the state’s parks and forests. Do you know someone that you think should be featured? Be sure to tag us on Instagram at @paparksandforests.

So first up, visit with Emily Scalzo whose Insta "Scaling the Globe" documents her travels. With and without one of the cutest pups you'll find.

Other new news? Give Them Help for the Long (Bird) Journey Home - guest blog by Susan Wilder of Penn-Cumberland Garden Club and Spring Ephemerals: More Than Pretty Flowers - Forest Fridays from the Bureau of Forestry.

As a reminder from last week, Pennsylvanians boast 819,635 acres of forest in just two "entities," one national and one state. I'm proud of you - I knew you'd get Allegheny National Forest (514,185 acres) as the national entity but a lot of you also know that Sproul State Forest is the largest of our state forests at 305,450 acres. (And of course you already know that it was our first state forest.)

Small but mighty, that little Nolde Forest bluebird is remarkable for any number of reasons. Which astonishing "fact" is not true: (a) male bluebirds are ventriloquists (they sing with their mouths closed); (b) a bluebird can spot a mealworm at 50 yards; or (c) bluebird nests are built by the males.

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.

Just as a reminder, we look a couple of weeks ahead here in our Calendar listings to give you a chance to plan. Earth Day is coming!

Be sure to bookmark the DCNR Calendar of Events and PPFF's Events calendar so that you don't miss a thing. 

As March comes to a close and Spring has its first week in hand, Wednesday the 30th is Take a Walk in the Park Day.

Gifford Pinchot State Park
Photo by H. Sollengerger