February 7 Weekly PA Wilds News Digest
February 7, 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.
Note: some of the news websites may have paywalls that prevent you from reading their content.
On the PA Wilds visitor-facing blog, check out some of the most romantic things to do in the Pennsylvania Wilds. For the Audubon Bird Lore series, photographer and writer Linda Stager gives tips for how to spot short-eared owls during the winter months.
The February WCO member spotlight this month is ArtWorks on the Summit. Their brick-and-mortar cooperative shop can be found in Kane.
New resources and opportunities are available in the February edition of the Partner Opportunities blog on the Center site.
Also on the Center blog, DCNR ecently shared the results of public surveys that will inform and guide the creation of the agency’s upcoming 2025-2029 Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), showing a strong connection between the outdoors and mental wellness.
Marc Wilken, the Economic Recovery Corps fellow who is spending 30 months in the region helping to assist the PA Wilds Center, gives a heartfelt reflection on his first year spent in the PA Wilds.
On the PA Wilds Marketplace, there are plenty of reasons to love the PA Wilds! Read more about it and show your love to the artisans on the Marketplace.
OUR BLOGS
PA WILDS
The most romantic things to do in the PA Wilds – Britt Madera
BIRD LORE: Watch for short-eared owls this winter – Linda Stager
WCO
WCO Member Spotlights
February spotlight – ArtWorks on the Summit: An artist run cooperative
PA WILDS CENTER
February 2025 PA Wilds Partner Opportunities
DCNR’s SCORP survey results show strong connection between outdoor recreation and mental well-being
My first year in the PA Wilds: A reflection from ERC fellow Marc Wilken
PA WILDS MARKETPLACE
IN THE NEWS
MENTIONING TOWNS IN PA WILDS
Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter after waking up to see his shadow on Groundhog Day – ABC News
Punxsutawney Phil makes annual Groundhog Day forecast – AccuWeather
Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow on Groundhog Day?: Live updates – USA Today
Tens of Thousands Flock to Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog Day – WENY News
Top 11 Pennsylvania Towns To Visit In 2025 – WorldAtlas (Bellefonte and Wellsboro)
Food Network picks Centre County eatery as ‘most charming small-town restaurant’ in PA – Centre Daily Times (Governor’s Pub in Bellefonte)
MENTIONING PA WILDS PUBLIC LANDS
Parks, forests, rivers
Allegheny National Forest
Rare raptor sightings – Olean Times Herald
Bald Eagle State Park
Top 11 Pennsylvania Towns To Visit In 2025 – WorldAtlas (Bellefonte and Wellsboro)
Chapman State Park
Warren County Hosts Annual Winterfest – Erie News Now
Colton Point State Park
Top 11 Pennsylvania Towns To Visit In 2025 – WorldAtlas (Bellefonte and Wellsboro)
Cook Forest State Park
OUT AND ABOUT: Events happening in the Tri-County area – The Courier Express
Kinzua Bridge State Park
MOUNT JEWETT: Project WILD educator workshop set at Kinzua Bridge – The Bradford Era
Leonard Harrison State Park
Top 11 Pennsylvania Towns To Visit In 2025 – WorldAtlas (Bellefonte and Wellsboro)
Parker Dam State Park
Programs Planned at Parker Dam in February – GantNews.com
Programs happening at Parker Dam State Park in February – Clearfield Progress
Sinnemahoning State Park
AUSTIN: Free February programs at Sinnemahoning State Park – The Bradford Era
Sproul State Forest
Scrantonian awarded in state-run photo contest; Ricketts Glen State Park, Pinchot State Forest highlighted among winners – Scranton Times-Tribune (The Judges’ Choice, Best in Show portrait was snapped by Hilary Schnabel, at Sproul State Forest around 3 a.m.)
Landscapes and Journeys
Elk Country
Elk Country Visitor Center programs in February – The Courier Express
Pine Creek Valley / PA Grand Canyon / Pine Creek Rail Trail
Top 11 Pennsylvania Towns To Visit In 2025 – WorldAtlas (Bellefonte and Wellsboro)