And a time to every purpose under heaven. There is a time for recreation and fun, and a time when we have to get serious in support of the places we love. Now is that time. For the remainder of June at the very least, our focus at PPFF is going to be on the budget. DCNR takes an unsustainable hit in the current proposal and it's just not acceptable. We've established a special advocacy page on our website and our Facebook page is being largely given over to #SaveOurParksandForests #Pennsylvania #PABudget. We are offering Take Action Tuesdays on our News page and the Facebook page and hope you'll participate with a loud and sustained voice. This week's action is to send a letter to your elected officials with why you love your favorite park or forest. Suggested language provided; fill in the representative/senator!

A second feature of this campaign is a salute to the hard-working men and women of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. When cuts come and services are reduced, the burden falls on them to make your experience a positive one no matter what. Over the years, people have shared stories of DCNR staff who made their day, whether it was a ranger, an administrative person, excitement over a new facilities, appreciation over community recreation development, or appreciation of the geologic resources of the state. We'd like to share these stories more widely so if you have a story to share, we think it's about time that we do it publicly. Please let us know!

The potential is great for a successful Friends of Pymatuning chapter as demonstrated by a great turn-out Wednesday night. Marci got to visit the new dam gatehouse as pictured above (and meet a lot of excited and friendly people, too).

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

A reminder to businesses: the deadline for new applicants for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program are due July 3. Approved businesses can choose to support education in state parks by choosing PPFF as one of your approved organizations. For more information, visit the EITC website for the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The books are set to close on this year's Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community but there is still a little time left to make a donation. Apparently the Harrisburg walk is close to breaking the record for cumulative donations among all organizations. And think ahead to next May so you can join in the fun!

We woke up Sunday to news of our first LHHT shelter adoption. To all you energetic folks out there about to run the Laurel Highlands Ultra tomorrow, good luck (and think how lovely it would be to stop all that running and take a nap in a renovated shelter). Or maybe that's just me! In any event, donations welcome.

At work and play in the parks and forests

Tomorrow is National Get Outdoors Day (and Family Health and Fitness Day through the National Recreation and Park Association) so you know what to do!

North

The annual Mountain Laurel Festival with the Friends of Big Pocono takes place tomorrow from 10:00 until 3:00. Nature hikes, kites, food, and children's book author Lindsey Barrett George will share the best view in the Poconos.

South

Sunday is Heritage Day at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center with lots of old-fashioned fun in store.

East

The Nescopeck and Red Rock Trails of Nescopeck State Park are the setting for a Get Outdoors Hike tomorrow morning.

West

Paddle at the High Point with the Forbes State Forest tomorrow morning - call and register right away, however!

No matter what region of the commonwealth you want to visit, our website Events and the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to see and do. Bookmark them!

Picture of the week

Photog Phyllis said we brought her good luck with last week's trivia question (see below). She answered the question on Friday afternoon with the comment that she'd yet to come across any of our venomous species and that she so badly wanted to photograph one. Sunday? Voila! Thank goodness for zoom, eh! He (assumption) is a beauty.

Take five for trivia

Correct answers nearly universally last week - with three species of our 21 Pennsylvania regulars being venomous. The above pictured timber rattler, an eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, and the northern copperhead are the only snakes you really need to "worry" about. The northern racer is a frequent companion on the Great Allegheny Passage - oddly enough, I saw probably the biggest one I've ever seen on Saturday. He (again assuming) was not in the least bit happy to be moved off the trail in spite of my reminder that in the grass is better than under a bike tire.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is made up of seven bureaus. What are they?

Send in your answer and we'll enter your correct response into our monthly prize drawing. All correct answers each week will go into the hat and at the end of the month we'll draw one lucky winner. The more correct answers you submit in a month (up to four or the occasional five depending on the month), the more chances you'll have to win.

Somerset County Carol shared this lovely image from Laurel Hill State Park in celebration of Flag Day, this Wednesday, June 14 (red, white, blue, and GREEN). Did you know that this is the 240th anniversary of Congressional authorization of the creation of the Stars and Stripes? According to the National Flag Day Foundation, it was the fifth item on the agenda that day!

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of PPFF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within Pennsylvania, to 800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare and is a Gold GuideStar Participant.