FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 12, 2016

S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie 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 S.O.N.S. (Save Our Native Species) of Lake Erie, awarding them the 2016 Group Volunteer Award.
The S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie was organized to help conserve and protect Lake Erie’s natural resources through programming and providing funds to improve fishing opportunities to the community and all who visit. The organization today has over 3,000 members, who provide assistance and coordination of environmental, recreational, and educational programing and events.
The S.O.N.S. have donated fishing poles and equipment to Presque Isle State Park, constructed fish habitat structures, and improved the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. S.O.N.S. has been educating the public about the importance of our native species and the value of our natural resources in the Lake Erie Watershed for over 35 years.
S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie 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
Park of the Year Award: Gifford Pinchot State Park
Forest of the Year Award: Tuscarora State Forest
Volunteerism-Improvement Award: The Ridge Runners of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
Volunteerism-Individual Award: Stephen Smetana
Volunteerism -Education Award: Pamela Karhan, Cherry Spring 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