1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,540 Hi this is Marci Mowery, president of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. 2 00:00:03,540 --> 00:00:09,120 I'm coming to you from my backyard during this time of the COVID-19 3 00:00:09,120 --> 00:00:13,290 when we have limited access to outdoor recreation, spending time in our yard is 4 00:00:13,290 --> 00:00:17,000 one of the things that we can do if we're fortunate enough to have a yard. 5 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:21,060 Our parks and forests are closed which means most of the built facilities, 6 00:00:21,060 --> 00:00:25,160 all of the built facilities are closed and I would also discourage you and your 7 00:00:25,170 --> 00:00:29,519 children from using the playgrounds. If you feel the need to get outside and 8 00:00:29,519 --> 00:00:33,530 spending time outdoors is good for your health and helps to reduce our stress 9 00:00:33,530 --> 00:00:38,640 please follow a few guidelines. If you go to visit a park or forest and the 10 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:42,570 trailhead is busy please consider using another trailhead or a different parking 11 00:00:42,570 --> 00:00:46,770 lot because being close proximity to people can help spread the COVID-19 12 00:00:46,770 --> 00:00:51,329 virus and that's one of the things we're trying not to do. 13 00:00:51,329 --> 00:00:55,530 Our park and forest staff is very limited at this time so be careful of what you're doing 14 00:00:55,530 --> 00:01:00,329 reduce any high-risk activities because help might not readily be available and 15 00:01:00,329 --> 00:01:04,619 also make sure that you're cleaning up after yourself and your pets. Let's be 16 00:01:04,619 --> 00:01:08,460 stewards of our state parks and state forests so that we can continue to use 17 00:01:08,460 --> 00:01:14,520 them during this time period and let's work together to reduce contact with one another. 18 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:16,860 keeping our social distance so that we 19 00:01:16,860 --> 00:01:22,439 can kick COVID-19 and have our parks and forests back to us as we would like them. 20 00:01:22,439 --> 00:01:27,509 I also think this is a great time to think about things that you would like 21 00:01:27,509 --> 00:01:31,770 to be doing. You know, flip through your phone and look at pictures of time that 22 00:01:31,770 --> 00:01:36,450 you've spent in the outdoors. Because even just engaging with imagery of the 23 00:01:36,450 --> 00:01:40,670 outdoors, imagery of our parks our forests can help to reduce our stress. 24 00:01:40,670 --> 00:01:44,390 So throughout the next few weeks we'll be sharing information with you on our 25 00:01:44,390 --> 00:01:49,140 website on our Facebook page on our other social media channels, ideas of 26 00:01:49,140 --> 00:01:51,900 things that you should do resources so that you can engage your children at home. 27 00:01:52,380 --> 00:01:57,360 Because we're here with you! We are fans of our parks and forests just as much as you are. 28 00:01:57,520 --> 00:02:01,020 Our friends groups are eager to get started again and to 29 00:02:01,030 --> 00:02:05,780 reintroduce their activities and if we all work together we can make that 30 00:02:05,780 --> 00:02:12,819 happen sooner rather than later. So, be safe. Thank you.