December 22 Weekly PA Wilds News Digest
December 22, 2023 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.
On the PA Wilds visitor blog, it’s time to get ready for the holidays and fit in a couple of adventures before the year ends! Helena Kotala shares her experience of an overnight bike trip, DCNR has tips for wrapping gifts, and the ANF is open for snowmobiling.
On the Shop The PA Wilds Marketplace blog, there are tips for products that will help you accomplish your New Year’s Resolutions, as well as a heartfelt wish from the PA Wilds Center staff and Marketplace sellers for the holiday season. The PA Wilds Marketplace is also now offering Julie Mader’s Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits.
In news about public lands in the PA Wilds, guided “First Day” hikes are being offered at select state parks and forests on January 1, 2024, throughout Pennsylvania, including many in the PA Wilds region. Also in the news, a collaborative grant was awarded to restore freshwater mussels in the West Branch Susquehanna River.
Please remember that the PA Wilds Center staff will be out of the office December 23, 2023 to January 1, 2024. Although blogs will be published on the PA Wilds platforms during that time, there will not be a news digest next Friday. Happy holidays!
PA WILDSSnowmobile season begins in the Allegheny National Forest – USDA, Allegheny National ForestWCO
Member & Partner Press Releases
WCO Member Spotlights
December spotlight – PennWest Clarion SBDC: Empowering entrepreneurs to build successful businesses
PA WILDS CENTER
PA WILDS MARKETPLACE
MENTIONING PA WILDS
Paint Your Favorite PA Wilds View: Julie Mader Offers Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits – GantNews.comPA Wilds artist offers ‘Paint the Wilds’ watercolor kits – The Courier ExpressSeveral programs available for greener spaces – Tioga Publishing
MENTIONING PA WILDS PUBLIC LANDS
Parks, forests, rivers
Allegheny National Forest
Snowmobile season is open, but snow is hard to come by – Times Observer
Snowmobile Season to Begin Friday – exploreJeffersonPA.com
Snowmobile Season to Begin in Allegheny National Forest – Erie News Now
Snowmobile season to begin today – The Bradford Era
Snowmobiler riders in PA wait on winter weather, make travel plans – Erie Times-News
First phase of improvements at Kiasutha underway – Times Observer
10 Best Towns in Pennsylvania for a Winter Getaway – WorldAtlas (Wellsboro and Smethport mentioned)Allegheny River
Fatal steamboat accident in Warren in 1878 – Times ObserverBald Eagle State Park
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.comBlack Moshannon State Park
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.comChapman State Park
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.com
Jeff Holland: Looking back at some of my top hikes of 2023 – Capital GazetteCherry Springs State Park
2024 Kicks Off With One Of The Most Spectacular Meteor Showers Of The Year – FatherlyClear Creek State Park
Winter programs planned at Cook Forest State Park – The Courier Express
Cook Forest State Park
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.com
Winter programs planned at Cook Forest State Park – The Courier ExpressElk State Forest
A budget boost to payments for state-owned land will benefit rural Pa. counties – Spotlight PAHills Creek State Park
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.com
First phase of improvements at Kiasutha underway – Times Observer
10 Best Towns in Pennsylvania for a Winter Getaway – WorldAtlas (Wellsboro and Smethport mentioned)
Kinzua Bridge State Park
Paint Your Favorite PA Wilds View: Julie Mader Offers Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits – GantNews.com
PA Wilds artist offers ‘Paint the Wilds’ watercolor kits – The Courier Express
Kinzua Bridge State Park declared as “Sight of the Week” by Roadside America – The Kane Republican
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.com
Commissioner Cliff Lane’s parting wisdom: A reflection on life and lasting lessons – The Kane RepublicanLittle Pine State Park
Spooky Spiders – Program by Little Pine State Park – NorthcentralPA.comLyman Run State Park
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.comParker Dam State Park
Kids Fishing Derby to be Held in April – GantNews.com
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.comSinnemahoning State Park
DCNR to Celebrate “Connecting More in 2024” During First Day Hikes Across Pennsylvania Public Lands – GantNews.comSusquehanna State Park
Williamsport focused on improvements to businesses and nonprofits – Williamsport Sun-GazetteLandscapes and Journeys
Dark Skies
Paint Your Favorite PA Wilds View: Julie Mader Offers Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits – GantNews.com
PA Wilds artist offers ‘Paint the Wilds’ watercolor kits – The Courier Express
2024 Kicks Off With One Of The Most Spectacular Meteor Showers Of The Year – FatherlyElk Country
SMA Ecology Club offers make and take ornaments – The Daily PressPine Creek Valley / PA Grand Canyon / Pine Creek Rail Trail
Paint Your Favorite PA Wilds View: Julie Mader Offers Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits – GantNews.com
PA Wilds artist offers ‘Paint the Wilds’ watercolor kits – The Courier Express
First phase of improvements at Kiasutha underway – Times Observer
10 Best Towns in Pennsylvania for a Winter Getaway – WorldAtlas (Wellsboro and Smethport mentioned)West Branch Susquehanna River
Nearly $1M project aims to restore freshwater mussels in Susquehanna’s upper West Branch – Penn Live
Grant awarded to restore mussels in branch of Susquehanna River – ABC27
Collaborative grant awarded to restore freshwater mussels in West Branch Susquehanna River – Pennsylvania Pressroom – PA.Gov
Grant awarded to restore freshwater mussels near Tidlow Dam – Lock Haven Express
MENTIONING WCO / CONSERVATION SHOPSPaint Your Favorite PA Wilds View: Julie Mader Offers Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits – GantNews.comPA Wilds artist offers ‘Paint the Wilds’ watercolor kits – The Courier Express