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Foundation That Supports PA's Parks and Forests to Recognize Exemplary Work With Awards

Posted on: Thursday, 4 January 2007, 18:00 CST

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis today announced the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation has established an awards program to recognize the hard work of the "friends groups" at state parks and forests and to recognize both a state park and state forest for their innovative and exemplary work.

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation is the statewide nonprofit organization that supports Pennsylvania's 117 state parks and 2.1 million acres of forest.

"There is great work being done in parks and forests - by both staff and volunteers - to improve Pennsylvania's quality of life and to protect our natural assets for future generations," DiBerardinis said. "It's important that the work be recognized in celebration of it, and as an example for others to follow."

Included in the awards is the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Keystone Legacy Award - the top honor given to a group, individual, or business that has made an outstanding contribution to the protection and enhancement of the park and forest system in Pennsylvania.

For the first year of the Keystone Legacy Award, PPFF will be honoring the living Civilian Conservation Corps members that served in Pennsylvania during the 1930s and 40s.

"We would like all Civilian Conservation Corps members to contact us, so that we can honor their service to the state that helped fight forest fires, plant trees, build roads, buildings, picnic areas, swimming areas, campgrounds and create many state parks," PPFF President Marci Mowery said. "We also encourage everyone to celebrate the importance of parks and forests by nominating a park, forest or friends group that you think exemplifies the best of the best."

Friends groups include citizens of all ages who volunteer their time, services and support to enhance state park and forest systems; connect people to the natural places of Pennsylvania while enhancing the role of public lands in local communities; and provide a wide range of services - from educational programs and hosting events to trail maintenance and campground host.

Nominations must be submitted by Jan. 25. More information and a nomination form are available on the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Web site at http://www.paparksandforests.org/ or call (717) 236-7644.

PPFF lists among its board members business leaders, naturalists, elected officials, foresters and officials of groups already working for park and forest improvements in the state. Part of the board's mission is to support DCNR in enhancing public enjoyment of state lands and resources; protecting important natural, scenic and recreation areas overseen by the state; and encouraging public support of these resources so that they may be enjoyed by future generations.

For more information about state parks and forests visit the DCNR Web site at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/.

CONTACT: Christina Novak, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, +1-717-772-9101.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

CONTACT: Christina Novak, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, +1-717-772-9101

Web site: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/http://www.paparksandforests.org/

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

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