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Outdoors

‘Plants in the Park’ series to run from April to November

UNIVERSITY PARK — Interested in learning about plants while exploring the natural world? Penn State Extension will offer “Plants in the Park: Plant Identification Walk” on multiple dates and locations from March to November. Led by Cathryn Pugh, forestry and wildlife extension educator, each session will feature a leisurely walk through a state park, where participants will discover common plants and learn the basics of plant identification. The workshop will cover botany terminology, plant identification of common species and wildlife uses of plants. Walks will be up to 0.5 ...

What can we do to help counter bird declines?

This year’s ‘State of the Birds’ report reveals that the major declines in bird populations reported by Science Journal in 2019 are unfortunately continuing. The 2019 article stated the staggering population loss of 2.9 billion birds in the U.S. and Canada since 1970. Most, though not ...

Game commission releases deer harvest estimates

From Staff Reports Pennsylvania hunters harvested about 11% more deer in the 2024-25 hunting seasons than they did the year before, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission estimates released today. The statewide 2024-25 harvest is estimated at 476,880 deer, 175,280 of them antlered deer and 301,600 antlerless. By comparison, the statewide 2023-24 harvest was estimated at 430,010 deer. Most of that year-over-year increase is attributable to the antlerless deer harvest. The 2024-25 buck take was up 2% over the year before, and 9% over the most recent three-year average. The ...

In the parks

Spring Wreath Making On April 6, from 1 to 3 p.m., join Sara Street, Rider Park Manager, and Pete Gstalder to make a spring wreath with willows and dogwoods. Cost is $15 for the materials. Please bring cash the day of the workshop. Park and meet at the maintenance shed (you are authorized to drive up). Registration required. Full moon hike On April 12, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., join Lunar’s Outdoor Adventures on a full moon hike at Rider Park. Meet at the new picnic pavilion and hike to one of the vistas. Bring a red headlamp to save your night vision. To register go to ...

Women in the Wilds at Sinnemahoning State Park to take place June 20-22

AUSTIN, Pa. — Sinnemahoning State Park is happy to announce this summer’s Women in the Wilds event will be held from Friday, June 20, to Sunday, June 22, with registration opening on April 1. Women in the Wilds at Sinnemahoning State Park is a ladies-only weekend of outdoor recreation ...

In the Parks

Waterfowl Walk Spring is the time to welcome back all of our migrating birds. We will drive to various points around Ricketts Glen to look for waterfowl and other water birds visiting Lake Jean on their migration on Wednesday, April 2, at 10-11:30 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center in Ricketts Glen State Park. Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information. Bring bug spray, field guide, and binoculars. Virtual Bygone Town of Ricketts Tour Take a virtual photo tour of the bygone lumber town of Ricketts right from your home. Historical and present ...