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More travelers glamping, even amid high costs

NerdWallet Camping can be one of the cheapest ways to travel. Yet a relatively new style of camping is proliferating — by some metrics — and it’s glamping. Glamping is a fusion of luxury and nature, where tents are filled with plush pillows, and some even have private bathrooms with heated, running water. Campgrounds typically are outfitted with fast Wi-Fi, and such camping activities as pitching a tent and starting a fire are already done for you. But the blend of outdoor glamor with hotel comfort commands prices more expensive than those of high-end hotels. It’s also a sharp ...

PFBC adopts new boat registration regulations

​HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) voted to give final approval to amendments to boat registration regulations at its quarterly business meeting July 24. Under the changes, the PFBC will comply with requirements of Act 28 of 2022, which established a calendar-year boat registration cycle that is valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. Currently, Pennsylvania boat registrations are valid from April 1 to March 31, which can be confusing to boaters and result in unintentional violations. Commissioners voted to give final approval to changes to the boat ...

USDA Forest Service invests $20M to restore forests, reduce fire risk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced that it is investing more than $20 million for projects that reduce wildfire risk and restore healthy forests while creating jobs through USDA’s Good Neighbor Authority. The Good Neighbor Authority allows the USDA Forest Service to enter into agreements with state forestry agencies to complete critical management work that keeps forests healthy and productive. Made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the investments will fund projects and leverage state resources across 18 states to ...

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 ...