January 3 Weekly PA Wilds News Digest
January 3, 2025 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. Hope your 2025 is off to a great start! This news digest contains two weeks’ worth of news, from December 21 to January 3.
On the PA Wilds visitor-facing blog, check out Jeremy Bickling’s wonderful video featuring the Allegheny River Cleanup, as well as information about the cleanup itself and the volunteers that make it happen. The cleanup organizers won a well-deserved national award for their stewardship efforts.
Also on the visitor blog, be sure to check out the top PA Wilds blog pieces of 2024. Throughout the past year, people keeping up with the PA Wilds Are Calling blog have learned more about the area’s history and found new ways to explore and discover. Travelers searched the PA Wilds for hidden treasure, cryptids, cartoon raccoons, and a food challenge that could burst Bigfoot’s belly!
In media mentions, many towns throughout the PA Wilds region were named in various lists for best downtowns, relaxing towns, little-known towns, and scenic drives in Pennsylvania.
OUR BLOGS
PA WILDS
Allegheny River Cleanup receives 2024 Outstanding Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship national award – video by Jeremy Bickling – Stratos Media and info from press release from USDA Forest Service, Allegheny National Forest
Christmas in Clearfield 100 years ago – Lou Bernard
Start your 2025 on the right foot with a First Day Hike – Britt Madera
Year in Review: Top 10 PA Wilds blogs of 2024 – stories from Kevin Coolidge, Lou Bernard, Ed Byers, Britt Madera, and LaKeshia Knarr
Mark these 2025 PA Great Outdoors photo contests on your calendar – PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau
WCO
WCO Member Spotlights
December spotlight – Community Education Center for Elk & Cameron Counties: Promoting a vibrant and educationally diversified region
January spotlight – Horner’s Pens: One-of-a-kind quality hand-turned pens
PA WILDS CENTER
January 2025 PA Wilds Partner Opportunities
PA WILDS MARKETPLACE
2024 in Review and New Year Wishes
IN THE NEWS
MENTIONING PA WILDS
Jefferson County Commissioners adopt budget with 1 mill tax increase – The Courier Express (County director of community development Elise Grovanz was appointed to the PA Wilds planning team. Commissioner Scott North said, “PA Wilds fosters interest in economic and tourism activities. We are part of that region.”)
11 Little-Known Towns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Ridgway, Wellsboro, Renovo, Bellefonte, Tionesta listed)
10 Best Downtowns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Coudersport listed)
Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Local conservationists get national award – Outdoor News
MENTIONING PA WILDS TOWNS
How a small town saved Christmas in America – The Epoch Times (Wellsboro)
11 Little-Known Towns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Ridgway, Wellsboro, Renovo, Bellefonte, Tionesta listed)
10 Best Downtowns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Coudersport listed)
9 Most Scenic Drives In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Corry to Mt. Jewett, Driftwood to Ridgway, Port Matilda to Lock Haven, Jersey Shore to Ansonia, Edinboro to Clearfield)
7 Most Relaxing Pennsylvania Towns – WorldAtlas (Bradford listed)
MENTIONING PA WILDS PUBLIC LANDS
Parks, forests, rivers
Allegheny National Forest
Forest offices closed to observe Christmas, New Years – The Derrick
Pennsylvania Deserves a National Park – Philadelphia Magazine
7 Most Relaxing Pennsylvania Towns – WorldAtlas (Bradford listed)
Forest Service Seeks Public Comments on Life Estates Decommissioning – exploreClarion
Forest Service accepting public comments – The Bradford Era
11 Little-Known Towns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Ridgway, Wellsboro, Renovo, Bellefonte, Tionesta listed)
Beetles released in Allegheny National Forest to combat invasive insect – Outdoor News
Allegheny River
Moments in History: The Allegheny River’s Journey from Industrial Lifeline to Wild and Scenic Wonder – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park
DCNR hosting ‘First Day Hikes’ at state parks across region – The Courier Express
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
Black Moshannon State Park
DCNR hosting ‘First Day Hikes’ at state parks across region – The Courier Express
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
Chapman State Park
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
Cherry Springs State Park
Detour Destinations, Nocturnal Tourism, and Viral Goods Getaways Are the Best Travel Trends for Next Year – Travel And Tour World
Detour destinations and noctourism top 2025 travel trends – Axios
Community Calendar – Tioga Publishing
Dark Sky parks to visit in the United States – Environment America
Clarion River
Commissioners approve amended River Access plan – The Clarion News
Upcoming winter programs at Cook Forest State Park – The Courier Express
OUT AND ABOUT: Events happening in the Tri-County area – The Courier Express
Polar Plunge to kick off the new year once again – The Ridgway Record
Runners brave snow, wind to participate in Polar Plunge – The Ridgway Record
Ridgway Polar Plunge – ABC23
Elk County residents participate in annual New Year’s run – WJAC-TV
Cook Forest State Park
DCNR hosting ‘First Day Hikes’ at state parks across region – The Courier Express
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
New Year’s Day hike planned at Cook Forest State Park – The Courier Express
Strap on Your Boots and Explore Old Growth Forest at Cook Forest’s Annual First Day Hike – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
Upcoming winter programs at Cook Forest State Park – The Courier Express
OUT AND ABOUT: Events happening in the Tri-County area – The Courier Express
9 Most Scenic Drives In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Corry to Mt. Jewett, Driftwood to Ridgway, Port Matilda to Lock Haven, Jersey Shore to Ansonia, Edinboro to Clearfield)
Elk State Forest
9 Most Scenic Drives In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Corry to Mt. Jewett, Driftwood to Ridgway, Port Matilda to Lock Haven, Jersey Shore to Ansonia, Edinboro to Clearfield)
Hills Creek State Park
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
Community Calendar – Tioga Publishing
Romantic Getaways For Valentine’s Day and Beyond – Pittsburgh Magazine
Hyner View State Park
11 Little-Known Towns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Ridgway, Wellsboro, Renovo, Bellefonte, Tionesta listed)
Kettle Creek State Park
11 Little-Known Towns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Ridgway, Wellsboro, Renovo, Bellefonte, Tionesta listed)
Kinzua State Park
DCNR hosting ‘First Day Hikes’ at state parks across region – The Courier Express
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
First Day Hikes planned across the region – Olean Times Herald
13 trails where you can embark on a First Day Hike in Pennsylvania – Keystone Newsroom
9 Most Scenic Drives In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Corry to Mt. Jewett, Driftwood to Ridgway, Port Matilda to Lock Haven, Jersey Shore to Ansonia, Edinboro to Clearfield)
Lyman Run State Park
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
13 trails where you can embark on a First Day Hike in Pennsylvania – Keystone Newsroom
Community Calendar – Tioga Publishing
Community Calendar – Tioga Publishing
Parker Dam State Park
DCNR hosting ‘First Day Hikes’ at state parks across region – The Courier Express
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
Ravensburg State Park
9 Most Scenic Drives In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Corry to Mt. Jewett, Driftwood to Ridgway, Port Matilda to Lock Haven, Jersey Shore to Ansonia, Edinboro to Clearfield)
Sinnemahoning State Park
DCNR hosting ‘First Day Hikes’ at state parks across region – The Courier Express
Trek into 2025 by Joining First Day Hike at Cook Forest State Park – exploreClarion
Bald Eagle State Park among the many locations for a First Day Hike for 2025 – The Express
DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians to Trek into 2025 During First Day Hikes Across the Commonwealth’s Public Lands – GantNews.com
Start the year off right with a First Day Hike – NorthcentralPA.com
Free January Programs at Sinnemahoning State Park – PressReader.com
Sinnemahoning State Park announces upcoming programs – Clearfield Progress
Sproul State Forest
11 Little-Known Towns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Ridgway, Wellsboro, Renovo, Bellefonte, Tionesta listed)
Lifesaving equipment funded by Foundation grant – The Express
Susquehannock State Forest
As year closes, trail club plans ahead for 2025: Susquehannock Trail Club News by Bill Boyd – Tioga Publishing
Dark Sky parks to visit in the United States – Environment America
Landscapes and Journeys
Dark Skies
Detour Destinations, Nocturnal Tourism, and Viral Goods Getaways Are the Best Travel Trends for Next Year – Travel And Tour World
Detour destinations and noctourism top 2025 travel trends – Axios
Dark Sky parks to visit in the United States – Environment America
Elk Country
9 Most Scenic Drives In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Corry to Mt. Jewett, Driftwood to Ridgway, Port Matilda to Lock Haven, Jersey Shore to Ansonia, Edinboro to Clearfield)
Elk Scenic Drive
9 Most Scenic Drives In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Corry to Mt. Jewett, Driftwood to Ridgway, Port Matilda to Lock Haven, Jersey Shore to Ansonia, Edinboro to Clearfield)
Pine Creek Valley / PA Grand Canyon / Pine Creek Rail Trail
13 trails where you can embark on a First Day Hike in Pennsylvania – Keystone Newsroom
11 Little-Known Towns In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Ridgway, Wellsboro, Renovo, Bellefonte, Tionesta listed)
9 Most Scenic Drives In Pennsylvania – WorldAtlas (Corry to Mt. Jewett, Driftwood to Ridgway, Port Matilda to Lock Haven, Jersey Shore to Ansonia, Edinboro to Clearfield)