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Outdoors

Pennsylvania private forest landowners value fire as a tool to manage woodlands

UNIVERSITY PARK — Fire can help shape ecosystems, and after a century of suppressing naturally occurring fire that has thrown forests out of balance, some states — including Pennsylvania — are using controlled burns to help manage forests on public lands. Now, a new four-state study by a team of Penn State researchers shows that many private landowners in the Keystone State value controlled burns and are willing to pay for them on their woodlands, too. In findings published in Fire Ecology, the researchers reported that many private forest landowners have limited knowledge and ...

DCNR announces entrance project at Cherry Springs State Park

COUDERSPORT — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) State Parks Director John Hallas announced the beginning of a construction project to reconfigure the entrances at Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County. The project will create a new entrance to the public programming area of the park, which will eliminate issues caused with headlights from the current entry/exit point from that area to the astronomy fields. “This new, reconfigured entrance will change visitor flow into the park and help manage the larger crowds we are seeing at Cherry Springs,” Hallas ...

‘Tis the season for swimming and bacteria alerts in lakes, rivers

TUFTONBORO, N.H. (AP) — With summer starting, many people flocking to their favorite swimming holes may also want to read up on bacteria warnings. During the busy Memorial Day weekend and shortly afterward, at least 20 people, most of them children, reported E. coli infections after they swam in Lake Anna, a popular recreational destination in central Virginia. Nine of those people were hospitalized. An additional 10 cases are under investigation. In Massachusetts, 22 beaches were closed across the state as of Friday morning. “Bacteria exceedance” accounted for more than half ...

In the parks

NORTH BEND — Join the naturalist on Friday, June 28, at 3:30 p.m. to “Hike the Nature Trail” at Hyner Run State Park. There will be a discussion about the flora and fauna seen along the trail as well as the history of the area. There will also be a look into trail information and etiquette. Meet at the amphitheater by the pool. Hyner Run State Park, 86 Hyner Park Road, North Bend, PA 17760-9525 Join the naturalist at Hyner Run State Park on Friday, June 28, at 8:15 p.m., for a relaxing evening to hear summer's ambience. Topics of discussion will center around what is being heard. ...

In the parks

HYNER RUN — Come to Hyner Run State Park and learn more about a popular animal and the state animal of Pennsylvania, “Whitetails.” Topics will include adaptations, a brief history, and human interactions with deer among other things. This is designed to be an informal program. All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate. Program may be modified or canceled in the event of severe weather or new state or community guidelines. Meet at the amphitheater (by the pool). — Come to Hyner Run State Park and step back into time and experience the culture of the ...