Salute to the Winners – The 2025 Program

Honors an outstanding contribution to the protection and enhancement of Pennsylvania’s park and forest system

Awarded to Dwight Lewis Lumber Co., Inc./Lewis Lumber Products
Sponsored by Domtar

Rooted in Sullivan County since 1941, Lewis Lumber Products evolved from a family-run sawmill into a leading advocate for sustainable forestry and conservation. With generations of Penn State-trained foresters at the helm, the company remains committed to protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources.

Their dedication to forest stewardship goes beyond sustainable timber harvesting. Every timber cut is guided by trained foresters to protect watersheds, ensure regeneration, and maintain biodiversity. Their lands are certified and part of the Chain of Custody Certification process for Pennsylvania State Forest Lands, aligning operations with the highest conservation standards.

Lewis Lumber Products uses 100% of its wood residues — repurposing them as animal bedding for local farms and for use at Worlds End State Park — enhancing both animal welfare and soil health. The company minimizes its environmental footprint by recycling, cutting energy usage with efficient lighting and heating systems, and upgrading its fleet for lower emissions.

Their commitment to conservation extends into education and community partnerships, including contributions to student outreach initiatives like What’s So Cool About Manufacturing and providing materials for educational infrastructure at Worlds End State Park.

Lewis Lumber Products exemplifies the integration of responsible business with long-term environmental care — a model of modern conservation in Pennsylvania.

Given to a person or department at any level of government; recognizes their work in the stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests

Awarded to Chris Kemmerer
Sponsored by Stahl Sheaffer Engineering

The path of April 2024’s total solar eclipse was a once in a lifetime opportunity for DCNR. It could showcase natural history and education, or it could be a potentially overwhelming calamity for the four northeastern state parks directly in the path of totality. As Section Chief overseeing educational, interpretive, and recreational programming in all 124 state parks, Chris certainly saw the eclipse as an educational opportunity and created a team to develop a plan to teach how to safely watch the eclipse, whether at a state park or in their own neighborhoods. Under Chris’s leadership, the solar eclipse program committee created educational materials distributed to all park educators and utilized in various settings. In the end, 170 eclipse programs were enjoyed by over 8,100 people up to and including the day of the eclipse. The committee also shared eclipse information with the public, including a map of PA illustrating the level of totality across the state, text and images for DCNR’s solar eclipse webpage, social media posts, and an FAQ sheet for use by all State Park staff. Because of Chris’s planning and leadership, state parks across Pennsylvania were prepared to provide park visitors with an incredible outdoor experience.

That project was not be eclipsed, however, by Chris’s leadership in preparing staff for the new Department of Education’s Pennsylvania Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) academic standards. Chris planned, implemented, and co-led extensive training in STEELS.

In fact, this work is characteristic of the many years Chris has tirelessly worked to advance environmental education in Pennsylvania. He is innovative, thoughtful, an excellent planner, and a skilled teacher.

Recognizes outstanding citizens or businesses who made a special impact through innovation and creativity

Awarded to Keith Russell
Sponsored by KCI

Keith has studied birds since he was in the third grade. Growing up in Philadelphia, bird watching was not popular but Keith was hooked. He watched birds, read books on birds, drew pictures of birds. His parents provided a set of binoculars; a dedicated bird-watching neighbor, Joseph Cadbury, took him on bird-watching trips.

It’s the lucky young person whose passion is so ignited by experience that they can turn their passion into a career. Keith has done that—and more—bringing members of his community along for the educational ride. Just as one example, he and others have been documenting environmental impacts on natural spaces through data collection for decades. One locale, the East Park Reservoir in Philadelphia, built in 1889 to be a major supply of water for Philadelphia and a recreational area for residents, was decommissioned in the 1970s. Increasingly isolated from the community, by the early 2000s the Philadelphia Water Department made plans to drain the reservoir. The group’s data spoke to its importance as a migratory flyway and halted the draining of the reservoir. Now it is home to the Discovery Center, headquarters for Audubon Mid-Atlantic and the Philadelphia Outward Bound School, a collaboration born out of both organizations prioritizing accessibility to nature for all citizens.

Keith emphasizes that sustainability and longevity are important to never giving up and that a focus on ending discrimination and lack of access of marginalized communities to the outdoors is illustrated by the notion that people often stick to what they know, making barriers that can be hard to navigate. A positive aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic was that many black people and people of color gained a renewed interest in going outside into parks. Keith believes we can further this progress by intentionally welcoming others and giving them examples of people like them in the conservation community. Keith has certainly become one such shining example.

Recognizes outstanding citizens or businesses who made an impact in protecting open space, conservation, outdoor recreation, or volunteerism

Awarded to Steve Stroman
Sponsored by Kate Harper, Esquire

Steve turned his passions for trails, rails, and conservation into a career that has spanned decades, both professionally and as a volunteer. An active and long-time voice for the issues about which he cares, Steve taught at several colleges, then worked in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, then served for nearly 10 years as the policy director at PennFuture.

In that position, Steve worked on the successful passage of Growing Greener II, the passage of the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, amendments to the Clean and Green Act to encourage small renewable energy systems, and laws to address stormwater. He also played a lead role in the effort to stop gas drilling in parts of the Loyalsock State Forest near the Old Logger’s Trail, and worked closely with the Game and Fish & Boat Commissions to stop legislation that would have undermined the ability of wildlife management agencies to list new threatened and endangered species and designate new wild trout streams.

His personal commitment to Pennsylvania’s outdoors including playing a lead role in the conservation of the Thousands Step tract in Huntingdon County that was purchased by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and transferred to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Thousand Steps is a rugged tract of land along the Juniata River with great views, amazing hiking, extraordinary industrial history, and habitat for threatened species. Steve’s work was recognized by the Juniata Valley Audubon Society and the Mount Union Area Historical Society.

Steve has served on the boards of the Keystone Trails Association and Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania, and from 2010 to 2016, served on the board and chaired the Trails Committee for the Friends of Gifford Pinchot State Park. During this time, he initiated and coordinated an annual volunteer trails workday that included the Friends, park management, the Mason-Dixon Trail Association, and the Keystone Trails Association. The work day continued for over a decade, resulting in the improvement of many previously wet or muddy trails.

After the birth of his daughter Shelby, who is severely disabled, Steve made the decision to leave PennFuture and devote more time to her care. He started a part-time consulting business that served clients who work to conserve Pennsylvania’s environment, parks, and forests, including PPFF. His advice to PPFF to commission a poll on the use of COVID recovery money for parks, forests, and trails by the leading Republican pollster in Pennsylvania helped break the logjam in the House debate over the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. In the end, the Pennsylvania General Assembly appropriated $100 million of ARPA funds for park, forest, and recreation infrastructure funding, a huge victory.

Steve lives in Lancaster with his wife Judie, son Tucker, and daughter Shelby. His family schedule did not allow him to attend this evening.

Recognizes a park for exemplary or innovative work in customer service; education, programming, or recreation; stewardship of the natural, cultural, or historic assets; and/or accommodation of needs of visitors

Awarded to Hills Creek State Park Complex
Sponsored by Seneca Resources

Balancing visitation and park needs is a skill that park managers and staff need, and the staff at the seven parks in this complex not only balance these items, but also have some complex projects happening simultaneously. Add to this a visit from the Governor and his family, and you can quickly see why this collection of parks is recognized as the Park of the Year.

When the Governor launched his multi-day adventure to springboard the marketing campaign, Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway, staff at Leonard Harrison, Lyman Run and Cherry Spring launched into action. They wanted not only to provide a memorable camping experience, but also to showcase the parks and the projects occurring at these parks.

At Leonard Harrison, a newly renovated visitor center opened in 2024 which includes a retail operation for the PA Wilds Conservation Shop and improved traffic flow. The project included the reassembly by the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps of a Civilian Conservation Corps log cabin that had been dismantled by the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps in 2021.

At Cherry Springs State Park, a large $4 million project kicked off in Spring of 2024.  The project seeks to improve visitor flow, provide new visitor entrances and headlight mounds to improve night-sky recreation, create a new contact station, provide expanded visitor programing/event space, as well potable water treatment & storage. As the project continues, two large Star Parties and the Annual Woodsman Carnival take place along with regular staff programing and visitor direction.

At Lyman Run, multiple ATV events occurred through the park utilizing township roads and the Susquehannock ATV trail, including Lyman Lower Campgrounds Overnight ATV access.

At Denton Hill a partnership was established with Denton Go to reopen the iconic lodge (adventure center) as a venue for events such as weddings and providing a base of operations for Polaris Razor Rentals. Park and Regional Staff upgraded traditional tent camping, RV sites, and modern cabins at the park, and initiated work with FDC & DGS for Capital Improvement Projects.

Simultaneously, staff and Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps members completed  a yurt renovation, installing traditional windows and replacing canvas walls and top coverings, allowing for a better view and more natural light. Additionally, Park Staff completed the modern cabin window and door replacement project meaning that over the past five years, all ten cabins have been rehabbed.

Recognizes a forest district for their innovative and exemplary work in both forest management and in providing opportunities for healthful, low-density recreation compatible with the integrity of forest ecosystems; customer service; and the effective use of volunteers

Awarded to Loyalsock State Forest
Sponsored by Purple Lizard Maps

The Loyalsock, officially designated as a district in 2005, combines lands previously managed under Tiadaghton, Tioga, and Wyoming State Forests. Named for the scenic Loyalsock Creek, the forest is a hallmark of the rugged Endless Mountains region and an enduring favorite among outdoor enthusiasts.

Loyalsock stands out for its ability to successfully manage intense and often competing demands: high-volume recreation, active timber harvesting, and natural gas development — all while preserving its exceptional environmental value. Located on Pennsylvania’s Glaciated High Plateau, the forest poses added management challenges including deer browse, seed inconsistencies, drought, pests, and disease. Yet, the staff consistently go above and beyond to meet the goals of the State Forest Resource Management Plan by trying innovative techniques to regenerate and balance forest age classes.

2024 Achievements:

• Maintained 129 motorized campsites, generating over $70,000 in revenue
• Sold 657 acres of timber, producing $1.31 million in revenue
• Completed 25 regeneration projects spanning 1,280 acres
• Finished construction and signage for the Drift Mine Mountain Bike Trail
• Upgraded the Bridle Equine Trail with maintenance and improvements
• Served as a host to 8 organized recreational events, ranging from trail runs to a fishing derby
• Partnered with the Ruffed Grouse Society to develop early successional habitat
• Replaced bridges on Upper Pleasant Stream Road and Masten Road
• Applied 4,000+ tons of DSA on Little Bear Creek Road
• Treated 356 hemlocks to combat Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
• Managed 5 active natural gas leases with 3 operators

The forest staff’s passion, professionalism, and willingness to explore creative solutions make Loyalsock a true model for multi-use forest management in Pennsylvania.

Recognizes outstanding volunteer efforts for a special project for a state park or forest

Individual: Awarded to Charles Pinardi
Sponsored by Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

Chuck has been the friendly face greeting visitors in the Shawnee State Park campground for nearly three decades.  He is always willing to lend a hand to any camper and offer advice on the best places to eat nearby as well.  For years, he travelled the campground and park on a small, recognizable, yellow motor scooter as he went about his daily host duties.  He no longer uses the motor scooter, but all of our long time campers remember Chuck and his late wife Beena, getting around on those scooters.

Chuck lives in the nearby town of Bedford and often visits the park when he is not staying onsite as a host, just to check in and be sure all is well.

Group: Awarded to Eastern PA Alliance of Climbers
Sponsored by Kate’s Real Food/Organic Snack Company

A relatively new organization, the Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance of Climbers (EPAC) was created during the COVID-19 pandemic and has quickly become a vital partner for the state parks and forests boasting a unique “climbing resource.” EPAC’s dedication to fostering a community of responsible climbers that contribute their time and energy to sustainable outdoor recreation initiatives is exemplary. From trail maintenance and clean-up efforts to educational workshops and safety training, EPAC volunteers are deeply involved in activities that enhance and preserve our natural landscapes. Their volunteer model emphasizes the importance of having ambassadors across eastern Pennsylvania climbing areas to give guidance, information, and support to other agencies. EPAC’s over 150 climbers and outdoor recreation advocates are projected to have over 1,000 volunteer hours over the past year alone.

This engagement not only supports the sustainability and accessibility of climbing areas but also contributes significantly to the overall health and aesthetics of our state parks. EPAC has recently completed a project at Ralph Stover’s High Rocks that focused on restoring and strengthening the trails along the cliff face. EPAC is also advocating for more protected climbing areas across eastern Pennsylvania and are adding climbing sites every year. By utilizing their passion for outdoor recreation, EPAC has developed a model of volunteerism that stands as a testament to the power of community involvement in conservation efforts.

Recognizes the planning and initiation of an outstanding program or ongoing event in a state park or forest

Awarded to Allen Dieterich-Ward
Sponsored by PA American Water

Allen is currently a professor of history and director of Shippensburg’s Graduate School in History where his concentration in environmental history is put to great use. His PhD dissertation evolved into his first book, Beyond Rust: Metropolitan Pittsburgh and the Fate of Industrial America, winning the 2016 Arline Custer Memorial Award from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference for best use of archival resources in a book about the mid-Atlantic.

His second book, Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania, is a synthesis of Pennsylvania’s environmental history from ancient Indigenous peoples to the social distancing (by going outdoors!) of the COVID Era. This “groundbreaking book is a crucial resource for anyone seeking to understand the people, places, and policies that have shaped—and continue to shape—life in the Keystone State and beyond.” [Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary, DCNR.] It has already become a vital tool in both scholarship and enjoyment by the general public.

But Allen believes that education extends beyond the classroom. For all his articles, awards, and service to history and academia, he sees education and community involvement as an important means to reach the general public and lead them to a greater understanding of their environmental heritage in today’s world.

Recognizes an effort which has resulted in the physical improvement of facilities

Individual: Awarded to Paul Yost
Sponsored by Marotta/Main Architects

When you have a deep and abiding love for a particular place, it is no hardship to devote your life to its care. Paul has that kind of relationship with Milton State Park. For over 20 years, he has been an integral volunteer member of the Friends of Milton, investing his time, energy, and personal resources into the revitalization and care of the park’s trail network. The story of Paul’s efforts to transform the park from the overgrown devastation wrought by Hurricane Agnes and years of neglect into a thriving natural space is truly inspirational.

The work of years began with little glamour—yearly spring clean-ups rid the island of huge dumpsters with trash, flood debris, and invasive species. Only then could focus shift to re-establishing the trail network that had been lost after the Agnes Flood. First the creation of an ADA-accessible trail at the center of the island reminded the community of the gem that is Milton. Then came restoration of the primitive walking paths that provide scenic river views and access to a variety of island habitats.

Paul embodies the true spirit of volunteerism, dedicating his time, energy, and resources to the betterment of Milton State Park and the surrounding community. His 20 years of continuous service have transformed the park from an underutilized park into a vibrant natural area attracting visitors from across the region. Through his efforts to restore the trail network, maintain the park’s natural beauty, and engage the community in environmental stewardship, Paul has left a legacy that will benefit future generations. The Middle Susquehanna Valley community, as well as all who visit Milton State Park, owe a debt of gratitude to Paul for his decades of service and commitment to preserving this cherished natural space.

Recognizes a significant contribution to a park or forest by a person under the age of 25 through volunteer hours, a significant project, an innovative idea, or more

Awarded to Mikayla Traini
Co-Sponsored by Charles & Susan Davidson and George & Kristie Asimos

Mikayla started her career with DCNR in the summer of 2023 as intern for Marsh Creek State Park. She enjoyed her time at the park (and park staff appreciated her work) so much that her internship was extended into the fall. Unfortunately for Marsh Creek, but fortunately for French Creek, Mikayla was quickly recruited for a park resource ranger position at French Creek. However, before she could complete her first full season there, she was off to Colonel Denning State Park, now as an environmental educator.

While at Marsh Creek, Mikayla applied for a $20,000 Heart of Stihl grant. This is a competitive grant with applications coming in from all over the northeastern United States. Mikayla worked with park staff to design a trail paving project that would greatly increase accessibility. She completed this application towards the beginning of her internship, but it wasn’t until September 2024 that we learned Marsh Creek was selected as the grant recipient.

The grant Mikayla secured for Marsh Creek State Park will be used to build a desperately needed trail parallel to the park’s main roadway. Currently, park visitors walk down the road to get from the boat rental area to the pool. There is only one road into and out of the park, causing vehicles and pedestrians to share the narrow roadway. Not only is this a safety hazard for pedestrians, but it causes traffic jams and reduces ranger response time in an already incredibly busy park.

When the grant was announced, the Stihl representative praised the grant application as one of the best written applications he had ever read and he was shocked to hear that an intern had written it. It wasn’t “just an intern;” it was Mikayla.