Summit to focus on expanding South Mountain regional economy using natural, cultural resources
Community leaders from throughout the South Mountain region are invited to a summit in February to discuss ways to enhance its sense of place and expand the region’s economy by capitalizing on its natural and cultural resources.

Scheduled for Feb. 19, the first South Mountain Summit is part of the region’s Conservation Landscape Initiative—an effort by DCNR to engage communities and local partners with state agencies and funding partners to conserve and protect the high-quality natural and cultural resources and enhance the region’s economic viability.

“With its fertile farmlands, clean waterways, renowned trout streams and vast woodlands, the more than 400,000-acre South Mountain region is truly blessed,” acting DCNR Secretary John Quigley said. Read more… Read the rest of this entry »

Well, the time had come to revamp the site. I needed to change the look…a little, as well as the logo and a few other things. Of course, the most noticeable things are the look as well as the addition of my own personal blog. I will be using the main site for all things hiking/camping/photography and keep “my thoughts” to my personal blog.

There will not only be the trail reviews but I hope to include .GPX files from my GPS with each of the articles or maybe have an archive with the dates and places for each of the files. The files can be downloaded so if someone decides to head out “in my foot steps” they will be able to load the file into their compatible GPS.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you don’t get the monthly news letter “Resource” from the PA. DCNR sign up for it HERE. The sign up is at the bottom of the page.

Gov. Rendell says responsible planning generates $128.4 million from state forest land lease, safeguards natural resources
Governor Edward G. Rendell last week said that he was pleased with the results of Pennsylvania’s latest land lease sale, especially given the fact that such a conservative number of acres were opened to bidding—a move his administration took to limit the impact on the state’s natural resources.

Bids were opened early last week for six tracts in state forests that total nearly 32,000 acres. The successful bids, which were offered Jan. 12 by five companies and made official Jan. 13 by DCNR, will generate approximately $128.4 million for the commonwealth. Details of each bid are available here.

“On [last] Tuesday, we received proof positive that our careful planning and preparation to minimize the number of acres put out to bid was the right approach, because those less-than-32,000 acres generated more than twice the amount we projected for this fiscal year,” said Governor Rendell. DCNR was responsible for generating $60 million for the 2009-10 fiscal year through the land lease. Read more…

Read the rest of this entry »

…and I’m sitting here infront of my laptop, my coffee mug beside me, and still wondering about 2010. I have plans for this year, no resolutions…well, I do have one resolution: No more resolutions. I even “Googled” New Years Resolutions and found so many hits that offered information on how to keep New Years resolutions. No, no more resolutions, I will just set goals for the coming year, like last year, and the results should be as reasonable as they were for 2009. That is…barring the unforeseen or the uncontrollable. I have set some easy goals for this year and those will probably be the most fun.

I was blessed with a new granddaughter this year. Payton Rose was born January 2nd and mom, dad, and baby are doing fine. I’m still amazed, perplexed and overjoyed at this event and cannot wrap my mind around being a grandfather in my mid 40’s. I guess it doesn’t matter what age you are when you become a grandparent and I’m sure those younger than me would have something to say about it. Payton is one of my goals. More accurately Payton and her family are apart of one goal: To support my step son, his wife and the baby with as many resources as I possibly can. I think that falls under “being the best grandparent that I can possibly be”. This is an easy goal in my mind and one that will bring me much happiness, along with Payton and her family, in the coming year(s).

Another of the goals has to do with Back To Hiking. I had set out to create a site that would try to help people enjoy the outdoors, camping, and hiking. I am only still an amateur when it comes to this but I have had an amazing time over the past two years. This year I intend to expand my outdoor experiences as well as the site.  Some things I can mention while others are still in the planning stages. I am in the stages of redesigning the site/blog and looking for more sites to review. I am also looking for others with more experience that may be able to help make the camping/hiking experience for me, as well as others even better. I also want to include those special and creative people in my Pittsburgh Social Media Network. A group of podcasters and bloggers who know the city and what it has to offer. In this way, by including them, I may be able to achieve a more well rounded experience for those who follow my site and maybe their fans as well. This will hopefully become more apparent in the coming year. Another of my goals that I feel will be pretty easy.

I want to thank all of you that made 2009 a great time. My new friends, my old favorites and my family. Special mentions go to the following people:  Hutch Jr./Hutch III/Jen/ShellRenee (Burgh’s Eye View), Sto/Sto Jr. (Puckertime), Chachi (ChachiSays), mindbling/wormy920/hotmamapgh(Bitchburgh), unclecrappy/mrscrappy, Sickpuppy/Fatherspooon(Should I Drink That), Djlunchbox (Thoughful Riot), Sorg (Wresting Mayhem Show), Jason Elliot (Gear Examiner/Recreation Examiner) and for those I haven’t mentioned you have not been forgotten nor unappreciated.

Again, thank you all for a great 2009 and I am looking forward to an even better 2010.

If you don’t get the monthly news letter “Seeds” from iConservePA sign up for it HERE.

Now on FACEBOOK and TWITTER

An Earth Day challenge to our schools

Through January 29, middle schools and junior high schools across Pennsylvania can register to participate in the Earth Day 40 Schools Challenge – one of three challenges offered by DCNR, cooperating state agencies, and other partners in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Grades 5-9 are eligible for the competition focusing on projects that bring lasting positive environmental change to the schools and inspiration to the surrounding communities. A Grand Prize package worth more than $1,500 is up for grabs. Spread the word and help our youth demonstrate their green resourcefulness.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you don’t get the monthly news letter “Resource” from the PA. DCNR sign up for it HERE. The sign up is at the bottom of the page.

A Message from the Secretary
Just like our nation, our state and many families across Pennsylvania, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources faced great challenges during 2009 related to the economy. Our reduced budget required difficult choices and the pain of the separation or reduction in work of respected full-time colleagues and valued seasonal employees.

Yet with collective hard work from each and every DCNR employee, the department remained focused on its mission and true to the action plan outlined for the agency. We have many achievements and accomplishments in which we may take pride as we look back on 2009.

In October Pennsylvania’s state park system earned the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, honoring excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development and professional development. It is truly an honor to be chosen as the best-managed state park system in the nation.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you don’t get the monthly news letter “Resource” from the PA. DCNR sign up for it HERE. The sign up is at the bottom of the page.

Wintry world of fun of awaits state park, forest visitors
With cold temperatures ushering in the season’s first significant snowfall in many sections of Pennsylvania, DCNR is reminding winter outdoors enthusiasts the state’s extensive state forest and park systems are the perfect place for cold-weather fun.

Snowmobiling season opened Sunday in state forests and parks, and DCNR is providing condition updates on its toll-free, snowmobile hot line—1-877-SNOMBLE (1-877-766-6253). DCNR also provides weather and condition reports online for state parks and forests.

“Pennsylvania is recognized as a national leader in winter tourism and recreation, and for good reason,” said DCNR acting Secretary John Quigley. “From sledding, late-season hunting and ice fishing to skiing, snowmobile and ATV riding, our state parks and forestlands have it all.” Read more…

Read the rest of this entry »

If you don’t get the monthly news letter “Seeds” from iConservePA sign up for it HERE.

Now on FACEBOOK and TWITTER

Cool plans

While the United States participates in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark and contemplates strategies for addressing climate change, Pennsylvania—responsible for 1% of the planet’s man-made greenhouse gas emissions—is finalizing its own Climate Change Action Report. The report identifies 52 specific actions that would result in nearly 100 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent reduction in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Click here to view the draft report. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is also analyzing opportunities for storing excess carbon underground and on the landscape (trees and forests). Learn more here.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you don’t get the monthly news letter “Resource” from the PA. DCNR sign up for it HERE. The sign up is at the bottom of the page.

DCNR opens additional state forest roads for start of deer hunting season
More accessible areas and expanded hunting opportunities awaited hunters when they headed into state forestlands for Monday’s start of the traditional two-week, white-tailed deer season, DCNR acting Secretary John Quigley said.

“Our Bureau of Forestry has opened 422 miles of normally closed roads to hunters and steered them to areas where deer numbers are too high and threaten state forest regeneration,” Quigley said. “Many of these roads are in Deer Management Assistance Program areas where properly licensed hunters may take additional deer, and our foresters want to see higher deer kills.

“The state’s deer hunters are an invaluable tool in wildlife management and forest stewardship,” said Quigley. “Hunters seeking whitetails in our state forest will find more than 90 percent of all state forestland is now within one-half mile of an open road during deer season.” Read more…

Read the rest of this entry »

If you don’t get the monthly news letter “Resource” from the PA. DCNR sign up for it HERE. The sign up is at the bottom of the page.

DCNR announces balanced, responsible plan to lease additional state forest lands for natural gas exploration
DCNR acting Secretary John Quigley last week unveiled a responsible plan for leasing state forest lands that, he said, balances the state’s environmental and fiscal obligations on behalf of the public

The department will open six tracts of land, totaling approximately 31,967 acres, for a lease sale of subsurface oil and gas rights. The tracks are located in the Elk, Moshannon, Sproul, Susquehannock and Tioga state forests in Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Potter and Tioga counties.

In announcing the plan, Quigley said the department was especially diligent in evaluating which tracts to make available and that the nearly 32,000 acres constituting the upcoming lease sale represent just a small fraction of the state’s 2.1 million acres of state-owned forest land. Read more… Read the rest of this entry »