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Highlights from Pa. Board of Game Commissioners meeting

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners met recently in Harrisburg, hearing public comments before taking up official business. Highlights from the meeting appear below. Survey to precede further action on marten plan Exploring the possibility of reintroducing American martens to Pennsylvania will include consideration of an additional public survey gauging residents’ opinions on the matter. The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently developed the draft “American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan for Pennsylvania,” a long-term, 10-year strategy ...

Tourism surges in Chattanooga

By Jill Robbins Wealth of Geeks According to Tourism Economics, Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Tennessee, saw over $1.5M in visitor spending in 2021, which ranked fifth out of the state’s 95 counties. This uptick in tourism revenue marked a 40% year-over-year increase, making Hamilton one of only 10 Tennessee counties to see that level of growth. Whether your summer vacation plans are completely outdoor-focused or balance urban adventures with meaningful nature breaks, outdoor tourism has become increasingly popular everywhere, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, is no exception. A ...

US Forest Service, HBCUs unite to boost diversity in firefighting

HAZEL GREEN, Ala. (AP) — Before starting college, Taylor Mohead had never been outside her hometown of Houston, Texas. Now, the recent Tuskegee University graduate is trekking around trees in Hazel Green, Alabama, in fire gear and sweltering heat. The U.S. Forest Service intern is among 20 students from historically Black colleges or universities who are participating in a prescribed burn demonstration under instructors’ supervision. They clear paths, light fires and make sure the embers are out when they’re done. It’s part of an apprenticeship program that will give them the ...

Pennsylvania program hopes to plant 10 million trees

LEWISTOWN — It seems only fitting that Gary Gill was biking on a nature trail when learned about the 10 Million Trees for Pennsylvania campaign and decided to do his part. “Planting trees protects our waterways by filtering toxins,” the Lewistown man explained. “It’s also good for the environment because it protects the land against soil erosion, produces oxygen and helps cool down the Earth.” It’s true that trees clean the water, reduce erosion, increase property values, bolster the economy and stabilize the environment, but they can’t do it alone. That’s where ...

Outdoors Calendar

Atkinson Mills Sportsmen’s Club • Meetings — held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The club is located at 55 Sportsmen Club Lane, McVeytown; email atkinsonmillssportsmensclub@gmail.com; online at http://atkinsonmills-sportsmensclub.weebly.com. Blue Rock Sportsman Club • Club meetings — 2 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month on the gun range, and at 7 p.m. January and February in the barn. To east end Blue Rock: From Milroy, follow signs to Reeds Gap State Park. Free camping available and kitchen is open during all events except trap ...

Game Commission seeks assistance in annual survey

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Game Commission again is seeking input from the public in surveying wild turkeys this summer. The Annual Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey opened July 1 and runs through Aug. 31. Participation is important for turkey population management. Survey data allow the agency to determine total wild turkey productivity and compare long-term reproductive success within Pennsylvania and across states, as this is a standard methodology used across the country. Data also is used in the turkey population model to track population trends. Turkey sightings can ...