What is a Friends Group?
Friends are people like you, citizens of all ages, who volunteer their time, services and support to enhance our state park and forest systems.
A friends group consists of motivated people in the community who understand the value and benefits of a state park or forest and share a common goal to work with PPFF and the DCNR in making that park or forest the best in the commonwealth. "Friends groups" are not government advisory groups, but they are often an important source of support and public comments. The objectives of a friends group are cooperatively crafted by the citizens and organizations that come together to form such a group and the state park or forest manager.
"To be a steward of our parks and forests means that the individual has a fundamental understanding of the importance of managing natural resources in a sustainable way, so that future generations have the benefit of healthy life support systems." - Pete Duncan, PPFF Board
What Do Friends Groups Do?
Every year they provide tens of thousands of volunteer hours working to improve and enhance state parks and forests. Friends Groups connect people to the natural places of Pennsylvania while enhancing the role of public lands in local communities. They provide a wide range of services - from educational programs to campground hosts.
Friends groups:
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Raise money to purchase playground equipment, interpretive displays, boats, signs, shelters, bulletin boards, educational materials, land, and more
Organize annual park cleanups and regular trail work days
Plan and execute special events including craft shows, concerts and festivals that attract thousands of visitors
Provide trail, garden and building stewardship
Construct or develop trails, build basketball courts, birdhouses, visitor centers, gift shops
Serve as campground hosts, visitor center hosts, and docents
Friends groups work with local businesses to obtain support for special projects, apply for grant funding, and appeal to the general public for private donations to augment projects.
