Conserve.
Protect.
Enhance.
We are the official nonprofit partner of your Pennsylvania State Parks & Forests
Pinchot State Forest
photo by Colin Xu
We are a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization working to provide a voice for our 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest land.
What is a Friends Group?
Learn MoreThe 2023 Annual Awards
EnterA Look at Park & Forest Infrastructure
View the Story MapWhat’s the Value of Open Space
View ResearchSpecial Projects
Make them HappenBecome a Member
MembershipSmartphone Apps for the Outdoors
AppsNew Parks! Old Passport?
Get The InsertA Healthy {Video} Playlist
Learn MoreExplore PA’s Parks and Forests Needs Lists
Learn MoreNews & Events
Upcoming Events
Friends of Tuscarora & Locust Lake: Monthly Volunteer Days
View EventFriends of Cowans Gap: Cowans Gap 5k
View EventFriends of Ridley Creek: Volunteer Day on the Trails
View EventShare your photos on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #PAParksAndForests
After a career working with the US Environmental Protection Agency as a Public Education Consultant and a Water Conservation Coordinator, Barbara Sturgeon Yeaman founded the Delaware Highlands Conservancy in 1994.
The land trust serves Pike and Wayne counties in PA and Sullivan and Delaware counties in New York. It is dedicated to "conserving the natural heritage and quality of life" in the region.
"I was waiting for someone else to do it, but that didn`t happen. I listed what was important to me, and starting a land trust was at the top. I knew it could work," Barbara said.
It did! The conservancy has protected over 14,000 acres along the Upper Delaware River, named the Most Endangered River in 2010 by American Rivers.
Barbara has been recognized many times for her commitment to land conservation earning numerous awards.
🔗LINK in BIO🔗to Discover more of Barbara`s story, along with other stories from Pennyslvania`s rich conservation history ~ PA Conservation Heritage Project | Telling Our Story
#worldwaterday #womenshistorymonth #ppffreflections #herstory #paconservationheritage #paconservationhistory
Cattail, pickerel
weed, the umber
at ridgeline
that envelops
the sun. More hoop
than halo, holy
glowing, like coals
before they cool.
You’d think
these bluegills
that swim
at the bird’s feet
could see
such illumination,
which brings with it
the beautiful threat
of death
from on high.
~ The Light around the Little Green Heron from 📖Winterkill (Michigan State University Press, 2016) by Todd Davis
Todd Davis shares how the PA Outdoors inspires his art. Read more of his poems depicting moments experienced in Sproul State Forest 🔗LINK in BIO for the Latest PPFF News🔗#worldpoetryday
📷Bruce Walkovich - Canoe Creek State Park
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#worldpoetryday #poetry #poetryday #poet #pastateparks #pastateforests #papark #paforest #forest #forests #paoutdoors #pa_nature #pawildlife #paadventures #pahiker #pahunter #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful
As a child, Marcia Bonta loved playing in the woods around her house and hiking in Pennsylvania with her father.
Her innate love for nature stayed with her as she graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, wrote weekly newspaper columns, and focused on books, magazine articles, lecturing, and natural history topics.
She has authored nine books and over 300 magazine articles published in the Pennsylvania Game News and Pennsylvania Wildlife.
Marci strives to teach others to respect and save the environment through her writing.
📚Her books include Escape to the Mountain, Outbound Journies in Pennsylvania, More Outbound Journies in Pennsylvania, Women in the Field, American Women in the Field, Appalachian Spring, and Appalachian autumn.
🔗LINK in BIO🔗to read her journal entries and blog posts and Discover more of Marcia`s story, along with other stories from Pennyslvania`s rich conservation history ~ PA Conservation Heritage Project | Telling Our Story
#womenshistorymonth #ppffreflections #herstory #paconservationheritage #paconservationhistory
Van Wagner is climbing 67 Trees on 67 Mountains in 67 Counties to celebrate and raise awareness about the threats and challenges that PA`s forests face.
He fears apathy is one the biggest.
Read more about Van Wagner and his mission - 🔗Read the Latest PPFF News 🔗LINK in BIO!
🌲Forests give us so much to our health. They purify the water, clean the air, capture carbon to fight climate change, provide food and life-saving medicines, and improve our well-being🌳#internationaldayofforests
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#dayofforests #forests #forestsday #paforests #pennsylvania #paoutdoors #pa
Before you take flight🦅 plan ahead and prepare with the tools on PPFF`s website🌐
🔗LINK in BIO to SHOP PPFF`s ONLINE Store🔗Explore the PA outdoors with @purplelizardmaps and much more!
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#Spring #FirstDayofSpring #VernalEquinox #Leavenotrace #ExplorePA #visitpa #padcnr #pennsylvania #pa #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful #pennsylvania_life #pennsylvanialife #neverstopexploring #happytraveler #findyourselfoutside #seeknewadventures #pennsylvaniaoutdoors #pennsylvania_wild #outdoors #nature #pennsylvaniaoutdoors#pennsylvania_lovers #pastateparks #paparks #paforests #forests #pennswoods #pawoods #stateforests
BUY A PASSPORT - GET A STICKER FREE❗ Offer is good while the stickers last! #PPFFPassport
It`s time to escape the ordinary and explore PA`s Parks and Forests😀🔗LINK in BIO to Shop PPFF`s Online Store!
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#paparksandforestspassport #ppffpassport #ppffreflections #padcnr #pennsylvania #pa #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful #pennsylvania_life #pennsylvanialife #pennsylvania_lovers #padcnrtrails #hikepa #findyourselfoutside #seeknewadventures #pennsylvaniaoutdoors #pennsylvania_wild #outdoors #nature #PAStateParks #paparksandforests #stateparks #paparks #statepark #stateparks #adventureawaits
Become a PA Parks and Forest Foundation Member now through Tuesday, #InternationalDayofForests, and enter 2️⃣drawing opportunities for a Purple Lizard Map🗺️
🔗LINK in BIO to BECOME A PPFF MEMBER today!
PPFF members are committed to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural and recreational areas of the Commonwealth. If that’s you, join us today!
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#purplelizardmaps #maps #membership #padcnr #pennsylvania #pa #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful #pennsylvania_life #pennsylvanialife #pennsylvania_lovers #padcnrtrails #hikepa #findyourselfoutside #seeknewadventures #pennsylvaniaoutdoors #pennsylvania_wild #outdoors #nature #PAStateParks #paparksandforests #stateparks #paparks #statepark #stateparks
This woodshed on the Laurel Highlands trail will provide campers with dry wood for years,👏 and your support made it happen!
And, it`s not just the campers who benefited! Your support and private philanthropy empowered the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps (POC) ASL Crew, funding the build and creating a unique and engaging learning experience!
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF), which is the official nonprofit partner of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, recently received a grant through the Franklin County IMPACT! Grant Program for recreational enhancements at Mont Alto State Park👏
With this grant funding, PPFF will work with Mont Alto State Park staff and the Friends of Mont Alto State Park to add new play equipment to the park’s playground👇
Grant funds will also be used to create a crushed stone pathway to the playground, providing better access, particularly for those needing a more level surface👇
Funds will also help restore the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era bank pavilion within the park, which will be available for families and small groups to have picnics and other events😃
🔗LINK in BIO to Read more of the Latest PPFF News!
Learn more about PPFF`s Playgrounds for ALL initiative by visiting our website today🏃♀️
📷Larry Laird - Mont Alto State Park
🥁@newtrailbrewing`s latest in the state park series is available - Bald Eagle State Park Hazy India Pale Ale🍺
PPFF has the #collectible sticker! Stick it in your #paparksandforestspassport ...or anywhere else!
Proceeds from the sale of this beer go to Ruffed Grouse habitat restoration and improvement🍻
How can you get the sticker?✔️Send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the PPFF office noting the sticker you desire:
PPFF/New Trail Sticker
704 Lisburn Road
Suite 102
Camp Hill, PA 17011
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#ruffedgrouse #pabeer #pacraftbeverage #pacraftbeer #stickers #pastatepark #papark #parksandforests #passport #pa_nature #pawildlife
PPFF has @newtrailbrewing state park series collectible stickers!
How can you get one✔️Send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the PPFF office noting the sticker you desire:
PPFF/New Trail Sticker
704 Lisburn Road
Suite 102
Camp Hill, PA 17011
What`s that patch?! Check them out 🔗LINK in BIO to Shop PPFF`s Online Store!
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#pastatepark #papark #pabeer #pacraftbeer #pacraftbeverage #paparks #pastickers #pennsylvania #pa #collectible #collectibles #paoutdoors
Welcoming spring 💚 with March`s free-to-download paint/color-by-number template, these templates are a creative way to nurture the artistic side and appreciate nature🎨
🔗LINK in BIO for the Paint By Number Series
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#art #lovestateparks #pastateparks #paparks #paint #draw #color #creative #outdoorartists #outdoorart #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful #palovers #pennsylvania #paoutdoors
This contest is for everyone😄📷 No need to be a professional photographer to participate! Three photographs in each category will receive a prize🎁
🔗Link in BIO for more on PPFF`s 2023 Photo Contest!
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#PPFFReflections pennsylvaniaphotographer #pennsylvaniaphotography #naturephotography #outdoorphotography#PAStateParks #paparksandforests #stateparks #paparks #statepark #stateparks #padcnr #pennsylvania #pa #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful #pennsylvania_life #pennsylvanialife #pennsylvania_lovers
Limited-time offer❗ Buy a PA Parks and Forests Passport and receive one of PPFF`s new stickers. 🔗LINK in BIO to Shop PPFF`s Online Store!
#Adventure awaits😀 Where will you go?
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#paparksandforestspassport #ppffpassport #ppffreflections #padcnr #pennsylvania #pa #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful #pennsylvania_life #pennsylvanialife #pennsylvania_lovers #padcnrtrails #hikepa #findyourselfoutside #seeknewadventures #pennsylvaniaoutdoors #pennsylvania_wild #outdoors #nature #PAStateParks #paparksandforests #stateparks #paparks #statepark #stateparks
Eight years ago, with seven other like-minded individuals, who she now knows as close friends, Diane founded the Friends of Beltzville State Park.
She attended the first meeting in response to an ad she saw on local TV.
When she filled out a survey identifying skillsets and interests, leadership wasn’t on her mind, even though she recognized that she had the experience.
She’s been the Chair ever since!
“It’s an honor to be in this group. People are dedicated and come with their hearts,” Diane said.
This #InternationalWomensDay learn more about this leader in #volunteerism 🔗LINK in BIO for the full story and The Latest PPFF News!
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#PPFFReflections #stewardship #volunteerism #volunteer #conservation #volunteering #womensday #womenshistorymonth #herstory #women #womenoutdoors #pennsylvania #pastateparks #paparks #pa #paoutdoors #pahikers
"The beautiful lady on the right was my mother and my total outdoor inspiration. Well, she was actually my inspiration for many things! I camped, picnicked, hiked etc., from the age of 3 months on.
This photo was taken approximately 40 years ago at the fire tower picnic grounds at French Creek State Park in Elverson, PA, with the next generation in tow." - MJ
👏Here`s to those who inspire our love of the outdoors #internationalwomensday #womenshistorymonth. Thank you for sharing them with us🙏#PPFFReflections