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Outdoors

Responses to wildfires earn awards for excellence

HARRISBURG — Two teams of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources staff members who demonstrated exemplary public service in their wildfire response efforts have been recognized by Governor Josh Shapiro with Governor’s Awards for Excellence. DCNR’s Michaux State Forest Wildfire Response Team, which included Todd Breininger; Cody Crouse; Tyler Feldman; Marcus Kaiser; Adam Kling; Amy Shull; Benjamin Livelsberger; David Lynch; Chad Northcraft; and Joshua Thompson; and the Packerton Wildfire Investigation Team, which included Jacob Novitsky and Matthew Waters, were honored ...

DCNR celebrates induction of two state parks into Old-Growth Forest Network

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently celebrated the addition of two forest tracts in Potter and Schuylkill counties into the national Old-Growth Forest Network: Ole Bull State Park in Potter County and the Tuscarora State Park in Schuylkill County. “Pennsylvania is the national leader in designated old-growth forests because of the Commonwealth’s legacy of conservation, environmental stewardship, and continued focus on protecting these special places,” said DCNR Deputy Secretary John Norbeck. “These designations are critical ...

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’s 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 shoots. Decatur ...

Rattlesnake Mating Season

A timber rattlesnake photographed on Crowfield Road heading toward Boal Gap Road near Penn-Roosevelt State Park. Rattlesnakes are very active during the summer mating season. The frequency of encounters between humans and timber rattlesnakes increases in July and August when male snakes ...

New round of funding opened for ATV, snowmobile projects

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced it is now accepting grant applications for snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, motorized trails and facilities-related projects — to further improve and strengthen the Commonwealth’s $20.4 billion outdoor recreation industry and boost rural economies. Formerly the All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile Program, the Motorized Trails and Recreation Program is available for projects supporting ATVing, Snowmobiling, Off-Highway Motorcycling, and Four-Wheel Driving activities. DCNR awards these grants ...