Annual Awards

The traditional May awards banquet, saluting the people and places that make Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests (and, indeed, all of Penn’s Woods) such a special experience makes its return for 2023 in a decidedly UNtraditional way.

The banquet was a victim of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 (albeit we did salute amazing accomplishments by our COVID-19 Champions in 2021). With PPFF’s mission being – at its heart – the state parks and forests, we thought that it would be appropriate to hold the celebration IN a state park or forest. So this year we will see you at Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County on Tuesday, May 16th. This informal barbecue style gathering gives a chance to showcase some of the programs and projects your support makes possible AND salute our winners in a new, fun way.

And who are these winners?

*Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award—This top honor, named in honor of Clifford L. Jones, whose vision initially conceived the Foundation, recognizes an outstanding contribution to the protection and/or enhancement to the park and forest system in Pennsylvania.
Past recipients: Civilian Conservation Corps members, Rose Eshelman Chase, Joe Healey, William Forrey, Robert Griffith, Senator Franklin Kury, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Caren Glotfelty, Linda McKenna Boxx, Rob Wonderling, Paul Felton, Cindy Adams Dunn, Larry Williamson.

2023 recipient: Marcus Schneck (posthumously).

*Joseph Ibberson Government Award—The Ibberson Government Award, named for the developer of the first Forest Management Plan for the Commonwealth, is given to a person or department at any level of government to recognize their work in the stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state park and state forest systems.
Past recipients: DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis, Jerry Walls, Greg Schrum, DCNR’s State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Team, DCNR’s Forest Assessment Team, James Grace, Representative William Adolph, Bushkill Township (Northampton County), Norman Lacasse, Penn Nursery, Representative Kate Harper, Dan Devlin.

2023: recipient: Mike Piaskowski, PA Outdoor Corps coordinator

*President’s Award—The President’s Award is designed to recognize outstanding citizens or businesses who have made an impact in protecting open space, conservation, outdoor recreation or volunteerism.
Past recipients: Judith L. Schwank, Recreation Equipment Incorporated, Borough of Ohiopyle, Yellow Creek State Park, John and Jan Halter, Ralph Harrison, Deloitte, LLP (Philadelphia Office), Greenwood Furnace State Park Complex, PA Wilds Conservation Landscape/The PA Wilds Center, REI (National)/United by Blue (State).

2023 recipients: Cook Forest Multi-Sensory Trail and Jack Stefferud, Natural Lands Trust

*Chair’s Award—Given for the first time this year, the Chair’s Award is designed to recognize outstanding citizens or businesses who have made a special impact on Penn’s Woods through innovation and creativity.

2023 recipient: New Trail Brewing Company

Park of the Year—The Park of the Year Award is designed to recognize a park for their exemplary or innovative work in any or all of the following: customer service; education, programming (e.g. events), or recreation; stewardship of the natural, cultural or historic assets; and/or accommodation of special needs of visitors.
Past recipients: Pymatuning State Park, Moraine State Park, Sinnemahoning State Park, Nockamixon State Park, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Kinzua Bridge State Park, French Creek State Park, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Point State Park, Gifford Pinchot State Park, Shawnee State Park, Cook Forest State Park, Laurel Hill State Park.

2023 recipient: R.B. Winter State Park

Forest of the Year—The Forest of the Year Award is designed to recognize a forest district for its innovative and exemplary work in both forest management and recreation for a wide range of activities which include: the ability to provide opportunities for healthful, low-density recreational opportunities that are compatible with maintaining the integrity of forest ecosystems; to provide information and assistance to the public while ensuring public safety; and to promote and effectively use volunteers to enhance the Bureau of Forestry’s recreational programming, planning and development activities.
Past recipients: Forbes State Forest, Tioga State Forest, William Penn State Forest, Michaux State Forest, Susquehannock State Forest, Elk State Forest, Tiadaghton State Forest, Gallitzin State Forest, Buchanan State Forest, Tuscarora State Forest, Weiser State Forest, Rothrock State Forest, Bald Eagle State Forest.

2023 recipient: Pinchot State Forest

Volunteerism Awards—Given for recognition of achievements made by PPFF chapters, individuals, or volunteer groups. Awardees are chosen from all nominations by a PPFF committee made up of PPFF board and non-board members. These awards honor organizations or individuals that have made a lasting, positive impression on the park or forest that they serve and that have advanced the mission of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation and the DCNR.  The three award categories are:

Volunteerism Award: The winner attracts and nurtures volunteers and actively engages them in a wide range of projects, logged in significant volunteer hours in proportion to the size and location of the park or forest, or has developed an innovative volunteer program.
Past recipients: Friends of Codorus State Park, Mountaineer Search and Rescue, Friends of Ohiopyle, Friends of Prince Gallitzin, Friends of Mt. Pisgah, Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy (the Cavers of the Forbes State Forest), Nockamixon Trail Group, Gifford Pinchot State Park, Friends of Nolde Environmental Education Center, Helen Maurella, SONS of Lake Erie, Stephen Smetana, Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve, The Oil Creek State Park Over-the-Hill Gang, Don Litten (Friends of Black Moshannon).

2023 Recipient: Patti Hutchinson, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

Improvement Award: The winner has completed capital improvement projects that benefited the park or forest and or users, provided ongoing maintenance or improvements to trails, buildings, etc. or innovatively protected the natural or cultural heritage of the park or forest.
Past recipients: The Miller Family, Friends of the Delaware Canal, Friends of Shikellamy, Friends of Ridley Creek, Tom Scully, Friends of the State Line Serpentine Barrens, Paul Yost and the Friends of Milton State Park, Kathy and Gary Diegan, Warren Renninger, Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Ridge Runners, Boy Scout Troop 345, Gifford Pinchot Disc Golf Club, Clarion County Chapter-NCTA, Ron and Donna Hirt.

2023 Recipient: Nittany Mountain Biking Association

Education Award: The winner provides ongoing educational support or programming, provides a stewardship message through events and programs, and/or organizes events that support the park and/or the gateway communities.
Past recipients: Cherry Springs Dark Sky Fund, Friends of Laurel Hill State Park, Friends of Colonel Denning, Friends of M.K. Goddard State Park, John Salvetti, Gwen and Bud Wills, Pat and Carl Leinbach, Promised Land State Park’s Nature Arts and Crafts Program Volunteers, Friends of Black Moshannon State Park, Pam Karhan (Cherry Springs Dark Sky Association), Friends of Mount Pisgah, Tom and Marilyn Fye (Clear Creek and Parker Dam state parks), Friends of Washington Crossing.

2023 Recipient: Wayne Sierer, Bureau of Forestry and Friends of Worlds End

Young Volunteer of the Year—This award recognizes a significant contribution to a park or forest by a person under the age of 25. The contribution could be in volunteer hours, a significant project, an innovative idea, or more.
Past recipients: Paul Mickle, Hailey Freeman, Ellie Davis, Kayce Bobnar, Katie Gustafson, Sarah Reeping.

2023 Recipient: Angelica Brill

* These award winners are chosen at PPFF’s discretion and nominations are not accepted for them.

May this year’s celebration be the start of a NEW tradition!