FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 12, 2016

Stephen Smetana wins 2016 Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Award
(Camp Hill, PA) – The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) today recognized the outstanding stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state park and state forest systems by Stephen Smetana, awarding him the 2016 Individual Volunteer Award.
Steve has been giving his time and energy to Nescopeck State Park since the 1990’s. He initiated the wood duck monitoring project at Nescopeck State Park and has singlehandedly maintained, repaired, and monitored 50 boxes throughout the park. Steve assists with maintaining the office landscaping, the butterfly garden, and installing the nature discovery area. Additionally, Steve has led and assisted with guided hikes at Nescopeck and Hickory Run for many years.
Stephen Smetana was honored at PPFF’s 10th annual awards banquet on May 11, 2016 at the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill, PA.
Other 2016 PPFF Award Winners:
Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award: Rob Wonderling
Joseph Ibberson Government Award: Penn Nursery
President’s Award: Greenwood Furnace State Park Complex
Forest of the Year Award: Tuscarora State Forest
Park of the Year Award: Gifford Pinchot State Park
Volunteerism-Improvement Award: The Ridge Runners of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
Volunteerism-Education Award: Pamela Karhan
Volunteerism -Group Award: S.O.N.S. (Save Our Native Species) of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park

About the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
Founded in 1999, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation supports 120 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest by coordinating volunteers, activities, and donations through its 40 chapters. The mission of the foundation is to inspire stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests through public engagement in volunteerism, recreation, and conservation. paparksandforests.org @PaPFF