January 5 Weekly PA Wilds News Digest
January 5, 2024 Weekly Digest: Recent News from the PA Wilds
The PA Wilds Weekly Digest is a roundup of news articles about the PA Wilds, the region’s public lands and its Landscapes and Journeys that have been published over the past week.
Note: some of the news websites may have paywalls that prevent you from reading their content.
Enjoy this week’s PA Wilds News Clips below.
The PA Wilds Center team hopes everyone had a wonderful holiday and a great start to the new year! Because the PA Wilds Center team was on a holiday break December 23-January 2, this news clips email contains two weeks’ worth of news and blogs.
On the PA Wilds visitor blog, many of the recent blogs have been related to the holidays, winter, or new year. Check out the roundup Top 10 blog for the most viewed blogs of 2023!
On the PA Wilds Center website, organizations and businesses can learn about some of the upcoming resources and opportunities within the PA Wilds region, such as webinars and grant applications.
On the PA Wilds Marketplace blog, readers can learn more about some of the successes of the PA Wilds Marketplace sellers and how the platform grew in 2023.
In news about the PA Wilds region, there was a recent article highlighting how Kane has grown and revitalized their community. Also a quick reminder, the Allegheny River was nominated for River of the Year, and voting closes on January 19.
OUR BLOGS
PA WILDSStart your 2024 on the right foot with a First Day Hike – Britt MaderaRed in the winter woods – DCNRMeet Your New Year’s Resolution on the West Branch Susquehanna River – Susquehanna Greenway PartnershipBIRD LORE: Appreciating our feathered friends – Austin White, Lycoming Audubon SocietyYear in Review: Top 10 PA Wilds blogs of 2023 – Britt Madera (Most viewed blogs of the year include pieces by Ed Byers, Lou Bernard, Beau Martonik, and Thomas Keller of the PA Game Commission)Stargazing Sanctuary: Exploring the Dark Sky at Cherry Springs State Park – Christian Alexandersen, as part of the Hemlocks to Hellbenders podcastA Ray of Wilds Sonshine – Ray HuntA First Day Hike at Parker Dam State Park – Britt MaderaWCOMember & Partner Press Releases
WCO Member Spotlights
December spotlight – PennWest Clarion SBDC: Empowering entrepreneurs to build successful businesses
January spotlight – Laughing Owl Press: Personalizing art through letterpress printing
PA WILDS CENTER
PA WILDS MARKETPLACE
IN THE NEWS
MENTIONING PA WILDS
How public grant dollars and volunteers helped revitalize this Pennsylvania Wilds town – Spotlight PAHow public grant dollars and volunteers helped revitalize this Pennsylvania Wilds town – Scranton TimesGlotz reflects on decades of service – Times ObserverPlans for Denton Hill State Park point toward four-season resort – NorthcentralPA.comJulie Brennan honored as Downtowner of Year by Rotary – Lock Haven Express (Previously honored by PA Wilds with Champion Award for Outstanding Leader)Casey outlines progress from ’23 – The Bradford EraSonshine makes me happy! – The Courier Express
MENTIONING PA WILDS PUBLIC LANDS
Many public lands and counties mentionedDiscover the 10 Coldest Places in Pennsylvania – A-Z Animals
Allegheny National ForestNo snow for Christmas, but fun activities still abound – The Bradford EraOfficials: Well-known Johnstown businessman John Burley dies in plane crash – Cleburne Times-Review (Plane went down in ANF)Remembering John Burley, who was killed in a plane crash in Forest county, officials investigate – WJAC9 of the Most Welcoming Towns in the Mid-Atlantic – WorldAtlas (Kane)These 8 celestial events in Pennsylvania start Jan. 3 – The Keystone NewsroomConscientious Objectors: Warren State Hospital, ANF house pacifists during World War II – Times ObserverUrban Connections backpacking program comes to ANF – Times ObserverNorth Country Trail running through Butler County snags National Park Service recognition – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Allegheny RiverVoting on ‘River off Year’ closes Jan. 19 – Wyoming County ExaminerNorth Country Trail running through Butler County snags National Park Service recognition – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Black Moshannon State ParkLocal man’s wildlife cam inspires Florida log crossings – Huntingdon Daily News
Cherry Springs State ParkPlans for Denton Hill State Park point toward four-season resort – NorthcentralPA.comThese 8 celestial events in Pennsylvania start Jan. 3 – The Keystone NewsroomWinter Outings seek snow – Tioga Publishing
Clarion RiverCook Forest plans special events during winter months – The Courier ExpressWinter programs planned at Cook Forest State Park – The Courier ExpressAnnual polar plunge a success despite chilly day – The Ridgway Record
Hardy souls participate in New Year’s Day Run and Clarion River Dunk – The Courier ExpressNorth Country Trail running through Butler County snags National Park Service recognition – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Winter programs planned at Cook Forest State Park – The Courier ExpressNorth Country Trail running through Butler County snags National Park Service recognition – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Colton Point State Park10 Small Towns in Pennsylvania With Big Charm – WorldAtlas (Wellsboro)
Cook Forest State ParkCook Forest plans special events during winter months – The Courier Express
Winter programs planned at Cook Forest State Park – The Courier ExpressFriends of Cook Forest present a “First Day” hike – Connect FMStart 2024 with a First Day Hike in one of Pennsylvania’s state parks – Pittsburgh Union ProgressThese 8 celestial events in Pennsylvania start Jan. 3 – The Keystone NewsroomNorth Country Trail running through Butler County snags National Park Service recognition – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Denton Hill State ParkPlans for Denton Hill State Park point toward four-season resort – NorthcentralPA.com
Hills Creek State ParkWinter outings series to start on January 1 for First Day Hikes – Williamsport Sun-GazetteWinter outings series begins with First Day Hikes – NorthcentralPA.com
Kinzua Bridge State Park13 trails for your First Day Hike in Pennsylvania – NorthcentralPA.comShattered illusions and sacred encounters: A journey through the woods – The Presbyterian OutlookMOUNT JEWETT: First Day Hike at Kinzua Bridge State Park – The Bradford EraMOUNT JEWETT: MJ2KB Trail Club gets new headquarters – The Bradford Era9 of the Most Welcoming Towns in the Mid-Atlantic – WorldAtlas (Kane)
Leonard Harrison State Park10 Small Towns in Pennsylvania With Big Charm – WorldAtlas (Wellsboro)
Lyman Run State Park13 trails for your First Day Hike in Pennsylvania – NorthcentralPA.comWinter outings series to start on January 1 for First Day Hikes – Williamsport Sun-GazetteWinter outings series begins with First Day Hikes – NorthcentralPA.com
SB Elliott State Park2023 REWIND: The Progress Year in Review – Clearfield Progress (Fire at DCNR building at SB Elliott in March 2023)
Sinnemahoning State ParkAUSTIN: January events at Sinnemahoning – The Bradford EraWinter outings series to start on January 1 for First Day Hikes – Williamsport Sun-GazetteWinter outings series begins with First Day Hikes – NorthcentralPA.comWinter Outings seek snow – Tioga Publishing
Susquehannock State ForestThese 8 celestial events in Pennsylvania start Jan. 3 – The Keystone Newsroom
Tioga State Forest10 Small Towns in Pennsylvania With Big Charm – WorldAtlas (Wellsboro)
Dark SkiesPlans for Denton Hill State Park point toward four-season resort – NorthcentralPA.comThese 8 celestial events in Pennsylvania start Jan. 3 – The Keystone Newsroom
Elk CountryKECA volunteer recognized for 1000 hours of service – The Courier Express
Pine Creek Valley / PA Grand Canyon / Pine Creek Rail TrailWellsboro, Pa., and how it saved Christmas – The Herald-Mail13 trails for your First Day Hike in Pennsylvania – NorthcentralPA.comClinton County sees continuation of projects, goals and looks to 2024 – Lock Haven Express10 Small Towns in Pennsylvania With Big Charm – WorldAtlas (Wellsboro)Ricketts Glen State Park Trail voted among New Year’s Day top 150 nature walks – Williamsport Sun-Gazette (PCRT was number 121)Ricketts Glen State Park Trail voted among top 150 nature walks in U.S. – Times Leader (PCRT was number 121)
West Branch Susquehanna RiverCollaborative grant award to restore freshwater mussels in West Branch Susquehanna River – Williamsport Sun-Gazette