Conserve.
Protect.
Enhance.

Today we honor Dr. King's life and legacy. His powerful words remind us that we are all connected, to each other and with the natural world all around us. #MLKday #MLKday2022

📸 Photo by Chuck Wagner taken at #KeystoneStatePark ...

Pennsylvania's state parks come in all shapes and sizes, each presenting its own unique opportunities for outdoor explorers.

PPFF's guest blogger @CRAwriter visited all 121 state parks, even the tiny ones. Find out why even those of only a few acres are definitely worth the visit in his latest post "What to Do and How to Enjoy PA's Tiny State Parks". Link in our bio!

👉 DYK which is the smallest state park in PA? Have you ever been there? Share with us for a 🌟CHANCE TO WIN🌟 a PPFF Wearable Checklist Bandana to take with you on all of your park and forest visits!

#Paparksandforests #getoutdoorspa #happyhiker #trailrunner #PAparks #outdooradventures #outsideeveryday #getoutsideandplay #getoutside ...

Winter in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests is full of outdoor recreation opportunities! From snowshoeing to skiing, tubing, ice skating, ice fishing and more, there is a lot of fun to be had! ⛷⛸🎣🏂⛺️🥾

❄️ But it is especially important to plan ahead before going outdoors this season because of harsher weather conditions.

❄️ You can find helpful tips on what to wear and pack in our bio with the “3 Tips to Stay Warm Outdoors in Winter” video and “Heading Outside This Winter? Pack These Essentials!” blog post.

☃️ Make a plan and prepare, then #getoutdoors and have some fun!

#knowbeforeyougo #recreateresponsibly #winterinpa #pasnowdays #getoutdoorspa #getoutside #getoutsideandplay ...

Interested in cross-country skiing but not sure where to start?

See our bio for a recording full of tips from @REI Experiences Instructor, Joe Triebsch.

#WinterInPA #crosscountryskiing #letitsnow #Getoutdoorspa #getoutsideandplay #pasnowdays ...

Snow is in the forecast for much of Pennsylvania tonight and tomorrow.

☃️ Do you have snow day plans? Let us know where you’ll be leaving tracks!

📸Photo by Jen Guisewite taken at #CookForestStatePark
@friendsofcookforest @cookforestconservancy

#pasnowdays #winterinpa #letitsnow #paparksandforests #getoutdoors #getoutdoorspa #getoutsideandplay ...

Woohoo 2022! We're so impressed by how many of you joined up with PPFF Friends Groups around the state to kick off the new year with a First Day Hike!

We hope you will keep up the momentum and set a goal of spending more time outdoors throughout the year. There are many health and wellness benefits that come along with time outdoors. Check out the video in our bio to learn more.

Cheers to many adventures in PA's parks and forests and a happy, healthy you in 2022! 🎉

#2022Goals #FirstDayHike #GetOutdoorsPA #Heathandtheoutdoors #WinterinPA ...

Do you know the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace for winter recreation? ❄️☃️

🗺️ Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
🏕️ Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
🗑️ Dispose of Waste Properly
📸 Take Only Photos, Leave What You Find
🔥 Minimize Campfire Impacts
🐻 Respect Wildlife
✌️ Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For the full article on winter Leave No Trace principles from @LeaveNoTrace, click the link in our bio.

#knowbeforeyougo #winteroutdoors #getoutdoorspa #pawinter #letitsnow #LeaveNoTrace #recreateresponsibly

📸Photo by Ted Massa taken at #LaurelRidgeStatePark. ...

Cheers to a new year filled with adventure in Pennsylvania's parks and forests! 🎉🎉 🎉

For a happy, healthy you in 2022, make it your new year's resolution to spend more time outdoors this year. Need a little inspiration? Check out the many benefits to be gained from time outdoors in PPFF's new "Health Benefits of Outdoor Recreation" videos. Simply click the link in our bio, then #GetOutdoors!

#2022Goals #WinterinPA #WinterOutdoors #GetOutdoorsPA #paparksandforests ...

Chocolate? First Aid kit? Headlamp?
What essentials can be found in your hiking pack?

In PPFF's latest post, guest blogger @CRAwriter shares with us the items that can always be found in his pack. Click the link in our bio to get some tips on what you might want to add to yours.

▶️What do you think Christian should add to his hiking supplies?! Share with us in the comments below! 🍫👓🧦🎧

#happyhiker #knowbeforeyougo #GetOutdoorsPA #trailrunner #PAtrails #paparksandforests #hikingpack #hikingsupplies #backpacking ...

Start the new year on the right foot! Join a PPFF Friends Group for a First Day Hike. To find a hike near you, click the Events link in our bio.

#2022Goals #WinterInPA #WinterOutdoors #GetOutdoorsPA #NewYearsHike #FirstDayHike #happyhiker ...

Protected landscapes provide us with clean air and pure water.

Forests plays an important role in the overall health of humans and wildlife by removing harmful pollutants from the air while simultaneously cleaning water.

In these times of living in areas with “non-attainment” days for air quality, impaired water, and increased flooding, it's important to remember the roles of forests and the ecosystem services they provide.

SO MUCH GOOD comes from our 121 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forest. And FROM YOU, our members and friends, whose support helps to protect these natural resources and steward open spaces for us all to enjoy and reconnect with nature.
🥰 If you're interested in joining as a PPFF member or supporting a special project, please click the SUPPORT THE EFFORT link in our bio. Thank you!

📷 Photo by Chris Condello taken at #MoraineStatePark.

#PAlandscape #PAparksandforests #ecosystemservices #PaForests #cleanair #purewater #ERA50 #EnviroRights50 ...

The outdoors makes us HAPPY! 😁

Did you know spending time in nature has been proven to reduce stress and increase relaxation? Without the distraction of always being plugged into a device, visitors engage with others or with themselves, an important component of self-care.

Pennsylvania's parks and forests improve our health and well-being. Click the link in our bio to learn more and HELP US SPREAD THE HAPPINESS by sharing PPFF's new videos on the Health Benefits of Outdoor Recreation. Thank you!

📷 Photo by Renee Andreuzzi taken at #RickettsGlenStatePark
#GetOutdoorsPA #2022Goals #GoodForPA #ProtectOurParksandForests #GetHealthyPA #ExplorePA #stressrelief #mentalhealthawareness ...

Kick off 2022 with a First Day Hike!

Pennsylvania has 121 state parks and 20 state forests, that’s about 2.4 million acres to explore with over 11,000 miles of trails just waiting for you!

PPFF Friends Groups all around the state are offering hikes on January 1st. Click the Event tab in our bio for details to join them!

Also in our bio, check out our recent blog post, “Heading outside this winter? Pack these essentials!” by @CRAwriter to be in-the-know before you go!

#FirstDayHike #2022Goals #WinterinPA #WinterOutdoors #newyearsresolution #GetOutdoorsPA #GOPA #paparksandforests #happyhiker ...

The first snowfall is a majestic site. Snow covered parks and forests in Pennsylvania offer many opportunities for outdoor recreation that aren't possible during other times of the year. But winter also brings with it a different set of challenges you will want to be prepared for when heading outdoors.

Our guest blogger, Christian Alexandersen @crawriter, overcame many seasonal challenges during his journey to visit all of Pennsylvania's 121 state parks in 2021. In his latest post, "Heading outside this winter? Pack these essentials!", he shares tips for being in-the-know before you go. Find the link in our bio.

#WinterInPA #GetOutdoorsPA #LetItSnow #WinterOutdoors #trailrunning #hiking #happyhiker #knowbeforeyougo #recreateresponsibly ...

From all of us at the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, we wish you a cozy holiday season! Thank you for your support of our mission to steward PA's 121 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forest all throughout the year. We look forward to more in 2022, thanks to you!

#tistheseason #letitsnow #winterinPA #paparksandforests #seasonsgreetings ...

"Winter is not a season. It's a celebration!" - Anamika Mishra

There are so many fun ways to celebrate winter in Pennsylvania's parks and forests! From sledding to ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, ice fishing, and more, there is no reason to spend it all staying indoors.

So tell us, how will you be celebrating?

#wintersolstice #winterinPA #PAwinter #winteroutdoors ...

It’s feeling festive in the PA Parks and Forests Foundation office! 🎄We decorated the only way we know how, with a little outdoor inspiration!
Check out the tripod knot on our hiking pole tree… our Office Assistant has some serious skills! 🎅🏽🤶🏼
#tistheseasontobejolly #paparksandforests #seasonsgreetings ...

Enjoy colorful visitors throughout winter by creating a mini bird sanctuary! Click the link in our bio for tips on how you can welcome feathered friends to your landscape thanks to guest blogger, Susan Wilder of the @PennCumberland Garden Club.

📸 H. Bumper Bauer taken at #CookForestStatePark
#birdwatching #winterbirding #nativeplants ...

Nature connects us to one another.

Not just to family and friends with whom we travel, but also with the new friends we make when spending time among like-minded visitors.

All differences may be set aside when we rally around shared interests – such as lacing up your boots for a long hike, pumping up the tires for a bike ride, or just grabbing the binoculars and spending time looking at the birds and wildlife close by.

Your support of PPFF's work helps to provide these untold benefits through investments in projects that improve the visitor experience - your experience - in PA's parks and forests. THANK YOU!

Check out our bio to find out what we've been up to lately.

📷 Photo by David Raymond taken at #MichauxStateForest

#ExplorePA #GetOutdoorsPA #PaParksAndForests #ProtectOurParksAndForests ...

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
- John Muir

Happy #InternationalMountainDay! What are your favorite mountains to explore in Pennsylvania?

📸Photo taken by Jim Murphy at #LaurelSummitStatePark.

#GetOutdoorsPA #PAmountains #PAParksandForests #JohnMuirQuote #MountainDay ...