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Foundation Honors Exemplary Work in Pennsylvania's State Parks, Forests

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 18:00 CDT

HARRISBURG, April 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation tonight recognized seven groups, facilities and individuals for exemplary service, programs and work to protect and enhance the state park and forest system.

The top honor -- the Keystone Legacy Award -- was presented to members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who, from 1933 to 1942, were the workforce reclaiming Pennsylvania's ravaged lands and making many improvements to state parks and forests.

"The treasure that is our state park and forest system is made better every day by the work of volunteers and dedicated state employees," Parks and Forests Foundation President Marci Mowery said. "These awards highlight their many efforts and activities to educate citizens, improve infrastructure and engage visitors.

"Special recognition goes to the members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Their hard work and sacrifices decades ago live on in the beautiful and well-constructed structures that continue to grace our parks and the stately forests that they helped establish," Mowery said.

The Parks and Forests Foundation is a statewide non-profit organization that supports the 117 state parks and 2.1-million acres of forest through donations and volunteer coordination.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis received the Government Award during the Foundation's first-ever awards banquet.

"This is a very exciting and challenging time for conservation," DiBerardinis said. "Although there are big threats to our public lands and our natural environment from sprawl, global warming, invasive plant species and a loss of connection to the outdoors, there is also a great awakening taking place. We want to capitalize on every opportunity to connect to our visitors and all Pennsylvanians in new and powerful ways. Volunteers and partners like the Foundation show each of us how we can make a difference."

Other award recipients are: -- Friends Group Volunteerism Award -- Friends of Codorus State Park in York County, for outstanding work engaging volunteers to support the park's many activities; -- Friends Group Improvement Award -- Miller family at Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon County, for donating their time, skills and materials to the reconstruction of a pavilion that was slated for destruction at a nearby retirement complex at Greenwood Furnace; -- Friends Group Education Award -- Cherry Springs Dark Sky Fund, for efforts to raise public awareness about light pollution and night sky educational programs; -- Park of the Year -- Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County, for exemplary and diverse programming, outstanding facilities and the many recreational and educational opportunities offered to the public; and -- Forest of the Year -- Forbes State Forest spanning Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties, for sustainable management, recreational programming, improved interpretive signage and use of many volunteers to help maintain the forest.

Foundation board members include business leaders, naturalists, elected officials, foresters and representatives of groups working for park and forest improvements. Part of the board's mission is to support DCNR's efforts to enhance public enjoyment of state lands and resources; protect important natural, scenic and recreation areas overseen by the state; and encourage public support of these resources so that they may be enjoyed by future generations.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Web site at http://www.paparksandforests.org/ or call (717) 236-7644. For more information about state parks and forests visit the DCNR Web site at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/.

Contact: Christina Novak

(717) 772-9101

PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

CONTACT: Christina Novak of the PA 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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