Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
  • Our Work
        • menu ourwork
        • Stewardship
        • Education
        • Recreation
        • Volunteerism
  • Friends Groups
        • menu friendsgroups
        • Start a Friends Group
        • Donate to a Chapter
        • Friends Resources
        • Current Chapters
  • About Us
        • menu aboutus
        • Mission & Vision
        • Board
        • PPFF Chapters
        • Partners
        • Strategic Plan
        • Staff
        • Publications
  • Support
        • menu support
        • Membership
        • Needs List
        • Conservation Legacy Society
        • Planned Giving
        • Corporate Partnerships
        • EITC Program
        • Special Funding Initiatives
        • Ways To Give
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Events
  • Store
  • Donate
  • Home
  • Our Work
    • Stewardship
      • Be A Voice
      • Year of the Trees – 2020 and Beyond
    • Education
      • 125 Years of Stewardship and Conservation
      • Wilderness Wheels Transportation Scholarships
      • Economic Benefits of the Outdoors
      • Conservation Heritage Project
      • Presentations
    • Recreation
      • See Them All Challenge
      • Photo Contest
      • Get Outdoors
      • Gallery
    • Volunteerism
      • Volunteer
      • Annual Awards
      • Stewards of Penn’s Woods
      • Graffiti Busters
  • Friends Groups
    • Start a Friends Group
    • Chapter Friends Groups
    • Friends Resources
  • About Us
    • Mission & Vision
    • Strategic Plan
    • Board
    • Staff
    • PPFF Chapters
    • Publications
    • Partners
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Planned Giving
      • Build the Future. Leave a Legacy.
      • Building a Legacy Begins Now
      • Let’s Talk
    • Conservation Legacy Society
    • EITC Program
    • Special Funding Initiatives
      • Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Fund
      • Outdoors For Everyone
      • Protect Our Parks & Forests
      • Camping Enhancements
      • Natural Play Areas
      • Playgrounds For All
    • Needs List
    • Ways To Give
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Events
  • Store

125 Years of Stewardship and Conservation

  • Environmental Rights Amendment
    • Song Contest
  • Environmental Education – An Earth Day Perspective
  • Leave No Trace
  • Sin Dejar Huellas
  • The Outdoors and Your Health
  • Economic Benefits of the Outdoors
  • Clean Water and Forested Ecosystems
    • Paint by Number
  • Latino Conservation Week
  • 125 Years of Stewardship and Conservation
  • Wilderness Wheels Transportation Scholarships
  • Conservation Heritage Project
  • Presentations
  • In 2018, the state parks and forests both celebrated a significant milestone. A bill signed in 1893 formed the PA Forestry Commission, tasked with the control of forest fires and to establish a forest reserve system. The system began with the purchase of 7,500 acres in Clinton County to be used to “furnish timber, protect the water supply of Young Woman’s Creek, and to provide recreation for citizens.”

    Our first state Park, Valley Forge, was also established in 1893, recognizing the importance of putting aside places of cultural and natural significant for the benefit of all – recognition that we truly do live in a Commonwealth.

    Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, our chapters, and other great outdoor partners celebrated this important quasquicentennial with activities and events, culminating on May 22 with an event at the State Capitol and establishment of the first statewide “Park and Forest Week,” celebrated annually now from May 23 through 30.

    A colorful and interesting take on the 125th anniversary can be found on the website for Pennsylvania’s Conservation Heritage and the story map, “125 Years of Preservation and Investment.” Read more about Pennsylvania’s 125 years of stewardship and conservation in this downloadable fact sheet, excerpted from the Spring 2018 Penn’s Stewards newsletter. The online magazine Keystone Edge included a look at the significance of the celebration in their May 31 issue.

    125th Anniversary Documents

    125th Anniversary Fun and Action

    • Ways to Celebrate the Quasiquicentennial
    • Activities for Car, Camp, or Classroom (for the Young and Young at Heart)
    • Having a get together? Five different sets of double-sided trivia cards (duplicated six times on a page) will challenge your guests! (Set 1, Set 2, Set 3, Set 4, Set 5)
    • Take Action on Behalf of Your State Parks and Forests
      • Sample Email or Letter to Legislator in Support of Parks and Forests (.pdf or Word document)
      • Phone Script with Legislator in Support of Parks and Forests (.pdf or Word document)

    Promotional Materials

    • Promotional poster (send to website for more info)
    • Logo (.jpg)
    • Press Release Template (.pdf or Word document)
    • Press Release Template for PPFF Chapters (.pdf or Word document)
    • Handbook for PPFF Chapters
    Remarks were delivered at the State Capitol in celebration of the establishment of Parks and Forests Week.
    senator lisa baker at press event e1527601229530
    senator judith schwank at press event e1527601186988
    representative kate harper at press event e1527601119546

    longietti
    john norbeck at press event

    • Senator Baker
    • Senator Schwank
    • Representative Harper (video)
    • Representative Longietti
    • Deputy Secretary Norbeck

    We Need You

    Between membership, financial support, advocating, and volunteering, there are many ways to support Pennsylvania’s parks and forests.
    Support

    Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
    704 Lisburn Road, Suite 102 | Camp Hill, PA 17011
    [email protected]
    P: 717-236-7644 | F: 717-236-0972

    Email Signup

    © 2023 | All rights reserved.

    • Privacy Policy|
    • Contact|
    Handcrafted by

    Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. PPFF’s official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.