Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

View on site | Email this event

Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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View on site | Email this event

Wednesday June 17, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

In-Person at Glen Foerd Estate, 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: $5-$15! Pre-registration is required.

Join Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Glen Foerd Estate educators for an in-person educator workshop. You will receive your own copy of the award-winning Project Aquatic WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide as well as lessons & activities to integrate wildlife education into your teaching. You'll learn about fish biology, urban waterways, watersheds in PA, & more!

Be sure to dress appropriately as we will be both indoors and outside. If you would like to be in the water during the stream study, bring waterproof boots or waders. Bring water and a bag lunch, as it will not be provided. Light refreshments will be available in the morning.

This workshop is suitable for both formal & non-formal educators & is targeted for grade levels 3-12. To register, please visit glenfoerd.org/events. Any questions contact Jordan Sanford, Wildlife Outreach Coordinator, at jorsanford@pa.gov or 717-787-4250 ext. 73337.

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View on site | Email this event

Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Boats, paddles, vests and binoculars are provided. Beginners are welcome. Experienced guides are DCNR conservation volunteers. Participants must be at least 12 years old for this program.
Program cost is $10 per person. Reservations are required.

For reservations call
(717)637-2816 option 7.

We will meet at the Sailboat Launch off of Smith Station Road. Look for the brown kayak shed at the end of the parking lot.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

View on site | Email this event

Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

With hands-on activities, up-close nature discoveries, and thematic games, this camp is the perfect way for kids to connect with the natural world. Join us for one session or follow along all summer to learn about these various creatures and their fascinating features!

Each session is $5.00 per child. Register online or by calling the Center at 724-794-6011. In the “Additional Info We Should Know” section of the registration please add an emergency contact person and contact information AND any allergies or medical information we need to be aware of.

Ages 8 - 12

Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

June 18 – Creeping, Crawling and Completely Cool!
June 25 – Ugly? Look Again!
July 9 – What’s that Stink?
July 16 – Nature’s Clean-Up Crew
August 6 – Toxic but Terrific
August 13 – Predator Picnic

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Meet at the Amphitheater.

*In case of rain, this program will be held at the Visitor Center.*

Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information.

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Friday May 22nd - 5pm

Buffalo Ridge Hike - This is a moderate hike that is roughly 1.5 miles out, and a little over a half a mile back on Fisherman's Trail. This is one of our longer trails, with some neat historic features along the way. We will meet at the stage (entertainment pavilion, beside pavilion 3) in the Shoaff's Mill Day Use Area.

Thursday June 4th - 5pm

Mill Race & Blue Ball Tavern Trail birding & nature journaling hike - This walk will feature two of our shorter trails. We may or may not get to do all of both, it depends on how many birds we find! The blue ball tavern trail is a paved trail and is a great trail for a stroller or wheel chair. On this walk we will discover the health benefits of nature journaling, as well as take the binoculars for some bird watching. We will meet at the stage in the Shoaff's Mill Day Use area.

Sunday June 14th - 3pm

Creek Trail nature hike - This trail is a little under 2 miles and offers a wide variety of nature viewing options as it winds through different habitats. This trail can be very muddy, so waterproof boots are a must, especially if it rains prior. We will meet in the pavilion 1 & 2 parking lot.

Thursday June 18th - 5pm

Forest Mandalas - Create your very own work of art with natural materials found in the forest! A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols, or in our case, natural items, that are arranged in a pattern. The creation of patterns reduces stress, anxiety, and promotes mindfulness and a sense of control. We will meet at the stage in the Shoaff's Mill day use area.

Friday June 26th - 5pm

Nature Journaling & Wildlife Watching on Exercise Trail & Tavern Trail - Depending on weather and what's blooming and singing, we'll take one of these two trails to explore nature journaling and bird watching. All materials will be provided. We will meet at the park office.

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This program is designed for first-time or novice stargazers, looking to visit the park from May - September.

After registering, you will receive an email with the link to join the program.

Note: This program is only online and does NOT take place at the park.

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The world keeps spinning, and why not enjoy the setting sun from the vantage point of a kayak. All equipment (kayaks, paddles, vests) will be provided, but please dress appropriately for the weather. No experience is required. If you can sit in a chair without falling out, then you can handle a kayak on a calm lake. This program is for ages 12 and over. If there are storms, the program will be cancelled.

Although participation is free, pre-registration is required, and is limited to the ten pirogues. Participants must sign a safety waiver, and wear a life vest during the entire event. Insect spray and water shoes are recommended. Any questions call 717-352-2161.

Due to limited boats and gear, pre-registration is absolutely required. If you show up without pre-registering, you will not be able to participate. After registering, you will receive an autoreply confirming your registration. If the calendar system does not allow you to register, then the program has reached max capacity. If you have any significant health issues the guide should be aware of, please note that in your registration. A two-person kayak is available for special circumstances, if requested on your registration form.

These programs provide kayaks and gear, so they are very popular. Please reserve far in advance to secure a spot. You may bring your own kayaks and tag along with the group, but your safety is your own responsibility, and you do not need to pre-register.

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Take a moment to look at the stars - while sitting in a kayak. All equipment (kayaks, paddles, vests) will be provided, but please dress appropriately for the weather. No experience is required. If you can sit in a chair without falling out, then you can handle a kayak on a calm lake.

This program is for ages 12 and over. If there are storms, the program will be cancelled.

Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. There are a total of ten pirogues available. Participants must sign a safety waiver, and wear a life vest during the entire event. Water shoes and insect spray are recommended. Please bring a headlamp or flashlight.

We hope to see constellations, planets, the International Space Station, and the USS Enterprise. Participants are responsible for ensuring the skies will be clear of clouds. Any questions call 717-352-2161.

Due to limited boats and gear, pre-registration is absolutely required. If you show up without pre-registering, you will not be able to participate. After registering, you will receive an autoreply confirming your registration. If you have any significant health issues the guide should be aware of, please note that in your registration. A two-person kayak is available for special circumstances, if requested on your registration form.

If the calendar system does not allow you to register, then the program has reached max capacity. These programs provide kayaks and gear, so they are very popular. Please reserve far in advance to secure a spot. You may bring your own kayaks and tag along with the group, but your safety is your own responsibility, and you do not need to pre-register.

View on site | Email this event

Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

View on site | Email this event

Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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View on site | Email this event

Good boots are recommended for walking.

Please bring your own bug spray and binoculars. We have some available to loan out.

Park and meet at the Park Office.

Registration Required.

Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information.

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¨ Sign up will be 15 minutes prior to each ride time.

( 8:45AM, 10:15AM, and 11:45AM )

¨ Rides will leave promptly at advertised times.

¨ Bench seats with yellow numbers will designate your place in line.

¨ All individuals must be present and waiting on the benches.

¨ Upon sign up, a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) will be given to each participant.

¨ Children 12 years and under must wear their PFD on the dock as well as the pontoon boat.

¨ Safety briefing will be conducted on the boat after all participants are boarded, after which the boat will depart.

¨ Capacity is 16 individuals, infant through adult.

No exceptions.

¨ An individual utilizing a motorized wheelchair will be counted as two individuals.

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

For program questions or accommodations, contact Angela at 717-486-7174 or pinegrovefurnaceeeprograms@pa.gov

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In the event of rain or storms, this program will continue as scheduled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at 272-808-6192

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All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate.

Program may be modified or cancelled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines. Meet at the pool.

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Participants can also use iNaturalist to log observations in the park during the month of June on their own, outside of scheduled program dates. Any observations made within the park boundaries during the month of June will automatically be added to the collection.

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Pre-registration is required by clicking the “Register” button on this page. Registration will close on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 4:00PM.

Participants must be 12 years of age or older and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The program will last 30-45 minutes. Please come 15 minutes early.

We will meet at the Sailboat Launch off of Smith Station Road. Look for the brown kayak shed at the end of the parking lot.

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On this hike we will hike pipeline trail to then connect with Northridge trail to make a loop back down into the campground for an all-around moderate hike of 1-mile. We will be stopping places to observe what is around us and taking pictures as well.

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Pre-registration is required by clicking the “Register” button on this page. Registration will close on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 4:00PM.

Participants must be 12 years of age or older and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The program will last 30-45 minutes. Please come 15 minutes early.

We will meet at the Sailboat Launch off of Smith Station Road. Look for the brown kayak shed at the end of the parking lot.

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Program cost is $10 per person. Participants must be at least 5 years of age.

Reservations are required.

For reservations call

(717)637-2816 option 7.

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Begins Friday, June 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM and runs until Sunday, June 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM. Fee $125 per person. Registration opens April 1st.

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How to prepare: Dress comfortably for the changing weather, and bring extra layers to stay warm as you may be still and the sun will be setting. The terrain will be uneven with gradual inclines traveling short distances.

Who: Open to the community. Pets must be on a leash, children must be accompanied by an adult. Suggested for ages 12 and up. Registrations close a week in advance and will be capped at 12 people.

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Please do not fall for scammers trying to sell "tickets" to this event. This was a pre-paid event with pre-registrations taken by name. No physical tickets were given out. We are just at capacity.

Close out Spring and welcome Summer with a Friday evening sunset soundbath with birdsong in the tranquil gardens at Nolde Forest. Immerse in a deeply restorative sound & vibration experience while laying on supportive earthy terrain. Soothing instruments such as gentle gong, singing bowls, chimes, handpan, ocean drum & more will carry you into deep relaxation. Benefits of sound immersion include effortless stress relief, profound inner peace deep sleep, enhanced mental clarity, focus and more beyond imagination!

What to bring and how to prepare:

BYO yoga mat or camping pad, pillow, two blankets (one blanket is for between you and the floor and one for over you) & any additional comforts or supports such as eye pillows and bolsters. Err on the side of extra! We will be OUTSIDE for this event, so please plan accordingly. Your physical comfort is optimal for you to be able to release and let go. Arrive early, give yourself plenty of time to settle in. Use the bathroom. Take care of your needs fully so that you can receive full relaxation benefits from the soundbath.

*In the event of inclement weather, this program will be moved indoors to the McConnell Hall classroom.*

Guest instructor:

Jen Who Plays The Gong https://jenwhoplaysthegong.com/

Registration is required for all participants. Spaces are limited, so please be sure you sign up and pay to finalize your registration spot. We will not be able to take walk up participants.

This is a fundraiser for the Friends of Nolde Forest.

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🗺️Where: Use entrance here, park in the lot. Walk around the hill to the viewing field, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

💼Bring: Red-light flashlight for later, a jacket and blankets, and a folding/camp chair.

🚫Leave at home: Pets (only trained service animals allowed), alcohol, recreational drugs.

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Questions? If you have questions email cherryspringsee@pa.gov or call the park office at 814-435-1037.

People with Question Marks Graphic Credit: Advice Vectors by Vecteezy

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Under UV light, you’ll also discover:

Fluorescent fungi and lichens that glow in eerie greens and bluesCertain insects and spiders that reflect ultraviolet lightUnexpected glowing patterns on rocks, tree bark, and organic materialsThis immersive experience blends science, discovery, and a bit of nighttime magic, offering a whole new way to see a familiar landscape.

After the hike, we’ll gather for a short nature journaling session, giving you time to reflect on what you observed and experienced. Capture the glow of fireflies, the sounds of the forest, or the patterns revealed under UV light through sketches, notes, or simple creative prompts. No artistic experience needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to slow down and notice the details of the night.

*This Program Takes Place at Green Hills Preserve | Natural Lands*

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All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate.

Program may be modified or cancelled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines. Meet at the amphitheater.

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Main parking lots

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Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact George Barner at 814-733-4218 or by e-mail at RA-NRSPSHAWEES@pa.gov.

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🌌Milky Way Visibility (if clear skies): Average. Most visible after 12:30 AM, after this program has ended and the moon has set.

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🗺️Where: Use entrance here, park in the lot. Walk around the hill to the viewing field, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

💼Bring: Red-light flashlight, extra layers/blankets, and a folding/camp chair.

🚫Leave at home: Pets (only trained service animals allowed), alcohol, recreational drugs. Large crowds, dim lighting, and technical equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

☁️Cloud Plan: If it's cloudy, but not activiely raining or storming, stop by anyway! We'll give a screen presentation on what we would be seeing, and may highlight some wonders of the nocturnal world.

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➡️ Check the Clear Sky Chart or AccuWeather Stargazing Forecasts for 48-hour forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions.

All programs will be cancelled in the event of rain or thunder/lightning.

We ask that park visitors please leave their pets at home. Dim lighting, large crowds and sensitive equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

Photo courtesy of Universe Today.

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Look through park telescopes at some of the key features of the night sky - moon, stars, and more. Under the guidance of our volunteers and staff, embark on an amazing telescope tour of the night sky. We'll run the scopes, you'll enjoy the view!

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🗺️Where: Use entrance here, park in the lot. Walk around the hill to the viewing field, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

💼Bring: Red-light flashlight, a jacket and blankets, and a folding/camp chair.

🚫Leave at home: Pets (only trained service animals allowed), alcohol, recreational drugs.

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➡️ Check the Clear Sky Chart or AccuWeather Stargazing Forecasts for 48-hour forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions.

All programs will be cancelled in the event of rain or thunder/lightning.

We ask that park visitors please leave their pets at home. Dim lighting, large crowds and sensitive equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

Telescopes available on a first-come, first-serve basis for the time listed. Availability is subject to staff/volunteer availability, weather conditions, and crowd size limitations.

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Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

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Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

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To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

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Then kick off summer by joining us on a hike – a 9-mile hike that is! We’ll make our way through the Day Use Area, to the South Shore, up to the Flats, and back to complete a circuit around Lackawanna Lake.

Our path will be a long one, taking us along trails with inclines, tripping hazards, muddy sections and other risks associated with the natural areas. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear, and bring something to eat and drink.

This is not a race or competition, but we will hike as a group at a moderate pace with limited breaks. This hike is open to all interested but participants are expected to self-evaluate their abilities with consideration given to fitness level, experience, terrain, distance, and weather. Minors under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Registration required.

To register, click on the Register icon. If registering as a group, please account for each person attending to give us an accurate tally.

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Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Begins Friday, June 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM and runs until Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM. Fee $125 per person. Registration opens April 1st.

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Families with little or no fishing experience are invited to learn basic fishing skills before trying their luck catching fish!

The program is open to ages 5 and older. Those under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The program is free, all equipment is provided, and a fishing license is waived for participants.

Presented by the PA Fish & Boat Commission.

Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.
(Registration opens May 1, 2026.)

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¨ Sign up will be 15 minutes prior to each ride time.

( 8:45AM, 10:15AM, and 11:45AM )

¨ Rides will leave promptly at advertised times.

¨ Bench seats with yellow numbers will designate your place in line.

¨ All individuals must be present and waiting on the benches.

¨ Upon sign up, a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) will be given to each participant.

¨ Children 12 years and under must wear their PFD on the dock as well as the pontoon boat.

¨ Safety briefing will be conducted on the boat after all participants are boarded, after which the boat will depart.

¨ Capacity is 16 individuals, infant through adult.

No exceptions.

¨ An individual utilizing a motorized wheelchair will be counted as two individuals.

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Enjoy a fun-filled day of activities at Black Moshannon State Park in a friendly non-competitive environment. Learn new skills, such as how to shoot a bow, paddle a kayak, or how to cook your favorite snacks over a campfire. Many other skills will also be taught by friendly and informative instructors.

Your paid registration gets you:

Doughnuts and juice for breakfast 4 expertly taught classes Equipment needed for use during classes

Please bring a bag lunch.

This event is open to children ages 7 to 16. A parent or legal guardian must attend all classes with the child (or children). Certain age restrictions apply to specific classes. Please see the class selections for age limits.

After your registration and payment is received, you will receive a confirmation packet with schedule information and directions to Black Moshannon State Park. All registrations and payments must be received by May 16, 2026, or when we reach the 125-person limit, whichever comes first. No refunds. Participants can send a replacement with the same class choices.

Register early to receive 1st choice classes. They fill up quickly.

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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***Pre-registration REQUIRED: Please click the "register →" button to sign up for this program.***

Calling all fellow booklovers and nature nerds: What is a solstice and why do we care so much? From ancient myths to fairytales to the astronomers of today, there’s always a special magic credited to the solstices when they roll around. On the Saturday before this year’s summer solstice, find out why with a state park naturalist as we hike through Tohickon Valley Park. We will discuss what a solstice is, what it has meant historically, and how it shows up in literature and folklore.

For this hike, we will be covering around 3 miles round trip of rocky, uneven, and sometimes steep terrain. Please wear appropriate footwear for hiking and bring water and sun protection.

For any questions, reach out to Annastasia Soto at annsoto@pa.gov.

Tolkien Talks are hikes we do once a season where we discuss natural phenomena and focus on how they show up in literature and history, especially through the lens of J.R.R Tolkien and his works.

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Join "The Wild Edibles Lady" Debbie Naha-Koretzky on this walk and learn botany hike around Nolde Forest. She will cover plant identification, safety, look-alike plants, sustainable harvesting, nature appreciation, nutrition, and cooking with wild plants.

Debbie is the author of Foraging Pennsylvania and New Jersey and The Northeastern Forager’s Cookbook. She is also a registered dietitian/nutritionist, Rutgers Master Gardener, Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, and certified science teacher. She has conducted countless foraging programs for state organizations, environmental centers, native plant societies, and more. She received her master's degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University.

Registration required, spaces are limited.

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Hike is a slow-paced walk through forested trails with the possibility of short uphill sections, rocky terrain, and wet conditions.

Meet at Oil Creek State Park’s Bike Trail Parking Lot, Southern Terminus in Petroleum Center—located near the Park Office. Parking is available on either side of the Petroleum Center Bridge with walking permitted across the bridge.

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

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Wentz Education Center

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Drop by the Learning Center at 2:00 PM to learn about some incredible insects with Ryan the Bug Man!

Try out a kayak or search for the geocaches in the park. Jump in Halfway Run to learn about aquatic animals with Susquehanna Universty or step back in time and visit some of our historical booths to celebrate America's 250th!

Stay tuned for more information!

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This is a 2-mile moderate walk.

Park and meet at the Shale Pit parking lot along Rt. 487.

Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information.

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Registration is required, only 10 slots are availible.

We will meet at Middle Road and walk to the archery range. It is advised to bring bug spray, sun screen, comfortable shoes, and a water bottle. Children must be at least 12 years of age, all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

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Materials will be provided.

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Children must be accompanied by an adult.

In the event of rain or thunderstorm, this program will be canceled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at 272-808-6192.

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Take a scenic ride on the lake and learn about the historical and natural features of the park. Donations will be accepted for the Friends of PGSP.

All participants will need to wear a PFD, one will be provided for you. Children under 30 pounds must provide their own PFDs (life jackets). Minimum age 4 years old.

The pontoon boat is not ADA accessible because it sits above the dock.

Times of Tours (Tours will last about an hour and thirty minutes)

2:00 pm 4:00 pm

*Meet at the Main Marina in front of the Boat Rental Building (on Gibbons Road) Get there at least 10 minutes before the tour to begin boarding. Tours will leave at the specified time to stay on schedule with tours throughout the day.

Pontoon boat rides will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather or high winds.

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

For program questions or accommodations, contact Angela at 717-486-7174 or pinegrovefurnaceeeprograms@pa.gov

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Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact George Barner at 814-733-4218 or by e-mail at RA-NRSPSHAWEES@pa.gov.

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New to BioBlitz or iNaturalist? No problem! Meet with park staff for a quick introduction to both before diving into a scavenger hunt. Log as many species as you can in 2 hours, and the top spotters will win a prize!

Please download iNaturalist before arriving!

In the event of rain, this program will go on as scheduled. In the event of a thunderstorm, canceled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at 272-808-6192.

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We'll talk about the history of jams and jellies, then participants will work together to make strawberry freezer jam.

Each family will take home a small jar of jam to enjoy this summer.

All materials provided.

Meet at the Visitor Center.

Registration required.

Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information.

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Take a scenic ride on the lake and learn about the historical and natural features of the park. Donations will be accepted for the Friends of PGSP.

All participants will need to wear a PFD, one will be provided for you. Children under 30 pounds must provide their own PFDs (life jackets). Minimum age 4 years old.

The pontoon boat is not ADA accessible because it sits above the dock.

Times of Tours (Tours will last about an hour and thirty minutes)

2:00 pm 4:00 pm

*Meet at the Main Marina in front of the Boat Rental Building (on Gibbons Road) Get there at least 10 minutes before the tour to begin boarding. Tours will leave at the specified time to stay on schedule with tours throughout the day.

Pontoon boat rides will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather or high winds.

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Wentz Education Center

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Meeting Location: Campground Amphitheater

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DJ Music, Games, Info Booths, Concession Food (cash only), Special Events for ‘America250’ and CDSP 90th B-Day.

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Join PFBC staff and Fishing Skills Instructors (FSI) for this, 2 hour, in-person program, designed to introduce you to the basics of kayak!    

Topics and/or skills covered include:  
Safety on the water  
What you need to know before you go kayak fishing  
Kayaks and paddles  
Fishing basics
Lake habitat and where to find fish
Basic fishing and boating regulations
Fishing from a kayak  

Participants who register and attend the program, will receive a post program email that includes a kayak fishing, digital packet to help you continue your journey. 

This program is designed for participants interested in learning about basic paddling skills and kayak fishing equipment. Participants must be at least 16 years of age, and a parent or guardian must accompany minors. All equipment is provided.

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Meet at the Amphitheater.

*In case of rain, program will be held in the Visitor Center.*

Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information.

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Birding here in 1776 would have been very different than birding now. We will travel back in time in our imaginations to plan a hypothetical 1776 birding excursion in what is now Indiana County. Ed will describe the various habitats in the region at the time and where we can find them. He will list some of the species we hope to see, including species that are no longer here. We will also discuss species that are common here now but were rare or absent in the county in 1776. And we will have to deal with the confusing bird names of that time. We will look at a map of trails and villages in what is now Indiana County and plot out our route by horseback and canoe. We will plan our overnight stays at known accommodations, when possible, but sometimes we will have to make our own shelters.This program is a part of DCNR's America 250th programming and Indiana County 1776 Speaker Series. Park at Dragonfly Pond and head on up to the Environmental Learning Center. All are welcome!

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Test your firefly knowledge, discover surprising facts, and learn why fireflies are so important to our environment. Then, stick around for a simple take-away craft to remember the program and show your love for these amazing predators!

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

In the event of rain, this program will be held at the Visitor Center porch or classroom.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at (272) 808-6192.

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Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact George Barner at 814-733-4218 or by e-mail at RA-NRSPSHAWEES@pa.gov.

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Amphitheatre

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Meet at the Campground Amphitheater, but consider parking at Lot #4 next to the viewing area to be closer to your vehicle at the end of the program.

In the event of rain, this program will be canceled. In the event of cloudy/overcast conditions, the presentation will still be held, but telescopes will be unavailable.

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🌌Milky Way Visibility (if clear skies): Average. Most visible after roughly 12:30 AM, after this program has ended and the moon has set.

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🗺️Where: Use entrance here, park in the lot. Walk around the hill to the viewing field, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

💼Bring: Red-light flashlight, extra layers/blankets, and a folding/camp chair.

🚫Leave at home: Pets (only trained service animals allowed), alcohol, recreational drugs. Large crowds, dim lighting, and technical equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

☁️Cloud Plan: If it's cloudy, but not activiely raining or storming, stop by anyway! We'll give a screen presentation on what we would be seeing, and may highlight some wonders of the nocturnal world.

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➡️ Check the Clear Sky Chart or AccuWeather Stargazing Forecasts for 48-hour forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions.

All programs will be cancelled in the event of rain or thunder/lightning.

We ask that park visitors please leave their pets at home. Dim lighting, large crowds and sensitive equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

Photo courtesy of Universe Today.

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Look through park telescopes at some of the key features of the night sky - moon, stars, and more. Under the guidance of our volunteers and staff, embark on an amazing telescope tour of the night sky. We'll run the scopes, you'll enjoy the view!

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🗺️Where: Use entrance here, park in the lot. Walk around the hill to the viewing field, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

💼Bring: Red-light flashlight, a jacket and blankets, and a folding/camp chair.

🚫Leave at home: Pets (only trained service animals allowed), alcohol, recreational drugs.

--

➡️ Check the Clear Sky Chart or AccuWeather Stargazing Forecasts for 48-hour forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions.

All programs will be cancelled in the event of rain or thunder/lightning.

We ask that park visitors please leave their pets at home. Dim lighting, large crowds and sensitive equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

Telescopes available on a first-come, first-serve basis for the time listed. Availability is subject to staff/volunteer availability, weather conditions, and crowd size limitations.

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Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

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Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

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To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

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To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees”. The bobwhite running around your park is not wild, and neither is the loose dog.A few key things to remember:

It is illegal to pick wildflowers in state parks/forests. Take photos, but don't damage plants!

Anyone fishing or picking up reptiles or amphibians must have a valid fishing license. Please avoid handling these animals if at all possible, and make sure you have your license if you plan to go "herping" or fishing.

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***Pre-registration REQUIRED: Please click the "register →" button to sign up for this program.***

This summer solstice, join a state park naturalist to watch the sun rise over the Tohickon Creek Gorge. As the sun rises, we will hike about 3 miles in the morning hours while watching for birds and other wildlife. This hike will have uneven terrain with significant elevation changes.

Please be sure to bring water along (and maybe your morning coffee). A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow (around 9); participants may also bring their own.

Bathrooms: There is a port-o-john at this meeting location. What to Bring: Appropriate footwear for hiking is required. Participants should also bring water, snacks, and sun protection.

For any questions, reach out to Annastasia Soto at annsoto@pa.gov.

Program may be cancelled or altered due to weather or unsafe driving conditions.

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Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Begins Friday, June 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM and runs until Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM. Fee $125 per person. Registration opens April 1st.

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Meet park staff for a brief talk on the history and significance of this geologic wonder. Please allow 20 minutes to drive to Boulder Field from Route 534.

In the event of rain, this program will go on as scheduled. In the event of a thunderstorm, canceled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at (272) 808-6192.

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¨ Sign up will be 15 minutes prior to each ride time.

( 8:45AM, 10:15AM, and 11:45AM )

¨ Rides will leave promptly at advertised times.

¨ Bench seats with yellow numbers will designate your place in line.

¨ All individuals must be present and waiting on the benches.

¨ Upon sign up, a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) will be given to each participant.

¨ Children 12 years and under must wear their PFD on the dock as well as the pontoon boat.

¨ Safety briefing will be conducted on the boat after all participants are boarded, after which the boat will depart.

¨ Capacity is 16 individuals, infant through adult.

No exceptions.

¨ An individual utilizing a motorized wheelchair will be counted as two individuals.

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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Wentz Education Center

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Choose from two different session times!

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

or

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Intended for new or novice archers. Participants must be age 10 or older.

Registration is required. You may register on this page, call the office at 717-486-3799, or email ra-nrspkingees@pa.gov

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

For program questions or accommodations, contact Angela at 717-486-7174 or pinegrovefurnaceeeprograms@pa.gov

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Meet at the Jersey Bridge Parking Lot at the north end of our Bike Trail

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VC4j6F8iiZeFHNPs6

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The solstice offers an opportunity to connect with nature on a deeper level and embrace its transformative power. As light floods through the lush green canopies, one can engage all of their senses and cultivate gratitude for the abundance of life around them. By immersing oneself in this immersive experience, individuals can benefit from reduced stress levels, improved mood, increased creativity, and enhanced immune function.

Forest therapy during the summer solstice provides a beneficial respite from our fast-paced digital lives and allows us to reconnect with ourselves and the natural world in a profound way.

This meet-up for this event will be in the Mansion Garden and last approximately 3 hours. Please dress according to the weather and feel free to bring a walking stick, water bottle, a sense of curiosity or anything that will make your journey in the forest more enjoyable.

Registration is required and spaces are limited!

Guest instructor:

Certified Forest Therapy Guide and Nolde Forest Volunteer,

Robert Sarnoski (https://www.mindbodysimple.com/)

This program is a fundraiser for the Friends of Nolde Forest.

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Join us for a Park BioBlitz competition and help discover the most unique species in the area!

New to BioBlitz or iNaturalist? No problem! Meet with park staff for a quick introduction to both before diving into a scavenger hunt. Log as many species as you can in 2 hours, and the top spotters will win a prize!

Please download iNaturalist before arriving!

In the event of rain, this program will go on as scheduled. In the event of a thunderstorm, canceled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at 272-808-6192.

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for programs. For program questions or accommodations, contact the park educator at rebharner@pa.gov or 570-966-1455.

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This program will be cancelled if raining or high winds.

11:00 am to 12:00 pm-Great Blue Herons

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm-Engineers of Black Moshannon Lake (Beavers)

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm-Look At The Lake

3:00 pm to 4:00 pm-Engineers of Black Moshannon Lake

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Select Sundays, from May 24th to October 25th

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

*There will be no Open House on the following dates:

July 19th, 2026August 9th, 2026September 20th, 2026

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Create a card, water color, or create an art piece for fun! Activity pages will also be availible to take home or do at the park!

Supplies will be provided, but it is first come first serve, so if you have supplies to bring it is encourages.

It is advised to bring bug spray, water bottle, and sunscreen. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

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This activity does require a sunny afternoon with light cloud cover. In case of rain or dense clouds, we will offer a substitute craft.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for programs. For program questions or accommodations, contact the park educator at rebharner@pa.gov or 570-966-1455.

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Choose from two different session times!

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

or

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Intended for new or novice archers. Participants must be age 10 or older.

Registration is required. You may register on this page, call the office at 717-486-3799, or email ra-nrspkingees@pa.gov

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To view our Bio Blitz project in iNaturalist visit this link: Oil Creek State Park Bio Blitz 2026 · iNaturalist

Meet at the Warming Hut in the McCrea Farm/Cross-Country Ski Area of Oil Creek State Park.

Road Detour Notice: Petroleum Center Bridge in Oil Creek State Park is closed to vehicle traffic. Access to the Warming Hut in the McCrea Farm/Cross-Country Ski Area is from PA Route 227 in Plumer, PA. Follow the detour signs to Petroleum Center Road.

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Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact George Barner at 814-733-4218 or by e-mail at RA-NRSPSHAWEES@pa.gov.

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Wentz Education Center

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Take a short walk to learn how to do just that and challenge yourself to get a fire going with just one match.

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The world keeps spinning, and why not enjoy the setting sun from the vantage point of a kayak. All equipment (kayaks, paddles, vests) will be provided, but please dress appropriately for the weather. No experience is required. If you can sit in a chair without falling out, then you can handle a kayak on a calm lake. This program is for ages 12 and over. If there are storms, the program will be cancelled.

Although participation is free, pre-registration is required, and is limited to the ten pirogues. Participants must sign a safety waiver, and wear a life vest during the entire event. Insect spray and water shoes are recommended. Any questions call 717-352-2161.

Due to limited boats and gear, pre-registration is absolutely required. If you show up without pre-registering, you will not be able to participate. After registering, you will receive an autoreply confirming your registration. If the calendar system does not allow you to register, then the program has reached max capacity. If you have any significant health issues the guide should be aware of, please note that in your registration. A two-person kayak is available for special circumstances, if requested on your registration form.

These programs provide kayaks and gear, so they are very popular. Please reserve far in advance to secure a spot. You may bring your own kayaks and tag along with the group, but your safety is your own responsibility, and you do not need to pre-register.

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Access for People with Disabilities

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact George Barner at 814-733-4218 or by e-mail at RA-NRSPSHAWEES@pa.gov.

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Take a moment to look at the stars - while sitting in a kayak. All equipment (kayaks, paddles, vests) will be provided, but please dress appropriately for the weather. No experience is required. If you can sit in a chair without falling out, then you can handle a kayak on a calm lake.

This program is for ages 12 and over. If there are storms, the program will be cancelled.

Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. There are a total of ten pirogues available. Participants must sign a safety waiver, and wear a life vest during the entire event. Water shoes and insect spray are recommended. Please bring a headlamp or flashlight.

We hope to see constellations, planets, the International Space Station, and the USS Enterprise. Participants are responsible for ensuring the skies will be clear of clouds. Any questions call 717-352-2161.

Due to limited boats and gear, pre-registration is absolutely required. If you show up without pre-registering, you will not be able to participate. After registering, you will receive an autoreply confirming your registration. If you have any significant health issues the guide should be aware of, please note that in your registration. A two-person kayak is available for special circumstances, if requested on your registration form.

If the calendar system does not allow you to register, then the program has reached max capacity. These programs provide kayaks and gear, so they are very popular. Please reserve far in advance to secure a spot. You may bring your own kayaks and tag along with the group, but your safety is your own responsibility, and you do not need to pre-register.

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Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

View on site | Email this event

Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

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Don't forget to sign the guestbook when you visit!

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Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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View on site | Email this event

2026 Schedule

This opportunity will occur every Monday from March 23 - September 28, 2026, with the exception of April 20th. Other dates may be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, please pay attention to your email, you will be notified in advance.

Recurring volunteers

If you are a reccuring volunteer, please respond to this opportunity in our new volunteer database using this link: https://dcnrvolunteers.pa.gov/need/detail/?need_id=1194496

You will need to create an account if you have not already done so. If you have any trouble, please contact Brooke: brofoster@pa.gov

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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**June 22:The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

**(Note June will be held on the 4th Monday of the Month)

Each month we will discuss a different book. Coffee and Tea will be provided, but please bring your own mug if possible.

Weather is unpredictable. If needed, book club may be postponed or canceled. Please register so that you will recieve updates about any changes made to this program. Email ssato@pa.gov with any questions.

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Registration is required for this activity. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis. To register, click the "register" button above.

PFDs are required and will be provided for adults and children ages three and up. Younger children are welcome, but you must bring your own Coast Guard-approved life jacket for children under three. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

**Pontoon tours are extremely popular, and spaces are extremely limited due to the size of our boat. Therefore, we require a 24-hour cancellation notice for all pontoon tours. This will allow us time to reach out to other registrants on the wait list and allow them to fill your spot. Late cancellations and no-shows will be prohibited from signing up for future tours.**

This tour may be cancelled due to rain, thunderstorms, or high winds.

Directions to Marina Visitor Center from Park Office:

1. From the park office parking lot, head northeast by turning right onto Route 563/ Mountain View Drive.

2. Proceed 0.8 miles to Harrisburg School Road and turn right.

3. Proceed 0.3 miles to the stop sign (entering the park) and turn left.

4. Proceed 0.2 miles on Harrisburg School Rd until you reach the stop sign at the base of the hill. The building in front of you is the marina office.

5. Turn either left or right at the stop sign and park in one of the lots directly to the side of the marina office.

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Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

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Don't forget to sign the guestbook when you visit!

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Day 2 will meet at day use parking lot by the bathroom closes to route 390.

Day 3 will meet at The Lower Lake Boat Launch Parking Lot.

Pre-Registration and Payment is Required. Please, no walk ins! To register please click on the link below. Payments will need to be done either by phone or in person. If you need any assistance please call the park office @ 570.676.3428.

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June 23-25, 9-11 AM

Tiny Tulips (4-5 years old)

Children 4-5 years old are invited to step into the garden to see what's growing and explore what plants need to thrive this summer!

$20 non-refundable registration fee per child. Please follow confirmation email instructions to complete your registration. Online registration is required to attend and will not be considered complete until payment and forms are returned. Any registrations that remain incomplete by the indicated deadline will be deleted to allow new registrants to sign up.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at (570) 403-2006.

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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With hands-on activities, up-close nature discoveries, and thematic games, this camp is the perfect way for kids to connect with the natural world. Join us for one session or follow along all summer to learn about these various creatures and their fascinating features!

Each session is $5.00 per child. Register online or by calling the Center at 724-794-6011. In the “Additional Info We Should Know” section of the registration please add an emergency contact person and contact information AND any allergies or medical information we need to be aware of.

Ages 4 - 7

Tuesdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

June 16 – Creeping, Crawling and Completely Cool!
June 23 – Ugly? Look Again!
July 7 – What’s that Stink?
July 14 – Nature’s Clean-Up Crew
August 4 – Toxic but Terrific
August 11 – Predator Picnic

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Can you flap your arms as fast as a hummingbird? Or run as fast as a deer? Have fun learning while comparing your skills against some of Pennsylvania's amazing wildlife species!

Campers must be accompanied by an adult each day of camp. Adults do not need to be registered for this program.

Please choose only one session of camp to sign up for. This camp begins on Tuesday, June 23 and ends on Friday, June 26 and will be from 10:00 - 11:00 AM each day. There is a non-refundable $15.00 registration fee for this camp.

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This program is held outdoors at Sunnyside Pavilion (pavilion #2) in the Conewago Day Use area (1202 Alpine Road, Wellsville, PA).

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This is the perfect opportunity to learn about snake habitat, the species we have in PA, and how to tell the difference between venomus and non-venomous snakes. This is a perfect way to introduce yourself to a commonly foeared and misunderstood creature of our ecosystem.

We will meet at sand siding parking lot and walk along the trail. At no point will anyone be able to handle a snake, it is strictly visual observation. It is advised to bring comfortable walking shoes, bug spray, sunscreen, and a full waterbottle.

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Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

View on site | Email this event

Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Don't forget to sign the guestbook when you visit!

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Thursday, June 25, 2026: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Guided Manufacturing and Forest Product Tours

15 Act 48 Hours - You must attend both days to receive hours.

Cost: FREE

Join the Keystone Wood Products Association, BLaST IU 17, and the PA Bureau of Forestry, for a collaborative, hands-on professional development experience!

Follow the journey of native oak trees from forest to finished product. This STEELS-aligned workshop shows how oak management in Tiadaghton State Forest connects directly to careers in the wood products industry. Teachers will see how forestry, milling, and manufacturing interconnect and will learn how to use Project Learning Tree’s Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers curriculum to introduce students to career pathways.

Participants will meet professionals working at each stage of the oak supply chain and leave with simple, ready-to-use activities that help students explore sustainable forestry and wood products careers. Formal and non-formal educators of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend this event.

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We will meet at the McDanel’s Launch Area (North Shore Exit off 422). For directions, follow this link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B058'01.3%22N+80%C2%B007'28.0%22W/@40.9670219,-80.1293149,859m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zNDDCsDU4JzAwLjUiTiA4MMKwMDcnMjUuNyJX!8m2!3d40.966806!4d-80.123802!3m3!8m2!3d40.967022!4d-80.124444?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMzMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

View on site | Email this event

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Registration is required for this activity. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis. To register, click the "register" button above.

PFDs are required and will be provided for adults and children ages three and up. Younger children are welcome, but you must bring your own Coast Guard-approved life jacket for children under three. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

**Pontoon tours are extremely popular, and spaces are extremely limited due to the size of our boat. Therefore, we require a 24-hour cancellation notice for all pontoon tours. This will allow us time to reach out to other registrants on the wait list and allow them to fill your spot. Late cancellations and no-shows will be prohibited from signing up for future tours.**

This tour may be cancelled due to rain, thunderstorms, or high winds.

Directions to Marina Visitor Center from Park Office:

1. From the park office parking lot, head northeast by turning right onto Route 563/ Mountain View Drive.

2. Proceed 0.8 miles to Harrisburg School Road and turn right.

3. Proceed 0.3 miles to the stop sign (entering the park) and turn left.

4. Proceed 0.2 miles on Harrisburg School Rd until you reach the stop sign at the base of the hill. The building in front of you is the marina office.

5. Turn either left or right at the stop sign and park in one of the lots directly to the side of the marina office.

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This is a partnership with Wayne Conservation District. If you have additional questions please reach out to Rachael Marques via email at rmarques@waynecountypa.gov or 570-253-0930.

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Boats, paddles, vests and binoculars are provided. Beginners are welcome. Experienced guides are DCNR conservation volunteers. Participants must be at least 12 years old for this program.
Program cost is $10 per person. Reservations are required.

For reservations call
(717)637-2816 option 7.

We will meet at the Sailboat Launch off of Smith Station Road. Look for the brown kayak shed at the end of the parking lot.

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Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

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Don't forget to sign the guestbook when you visit!

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Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Thursday, June 25, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

In-person at PGC Southwest Region Office, 4820 Rt. 711, Bolivar, PA 15923

Act 48: 6.5 hrs.

Fee: FREE! Pre-registration required & lunch provided

Join Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) & PA State Park educators & biologists for a dynamic PD focused on black bear ecology, management, & research in Pennsylvania. Open to K-12 formal & nonformal educators, this hands-on workshop blends authentic field science with classroom-ready resources. Participants will engage in interactive, inquiry-based lessons & outdoor activities that model student-centered learning & can be adapted for a variety of grade levels and learning environments. Although not guaranteed, efforts will be made to have a live black bear on site to demonstrate real-world research techniques such as data collection & tagging. Each participant will receive the award-winning Project WILD K–12 Curriculum & Activity Guide & more. Register by contacting Chloe Kalp, EES at ckalp@pa.gov or 1-833-742-4868 X20229.

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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In-person at the Elk Country Visitor Center, Benezette, PA

Act 48: 6 hrs.

Fee: $10:00; pre-registration required.

Join the PA Game Commission (PGC) & the Keystone Elk Country Alliance for an immersive Project WILD PD opportunity! Open to formal & non-formal educators, participants will receive the award-winning Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide, featuring wildlife & conservation lessons. Although not guaranteed, we will attempt to have a LIVE bear on site to demonstrate the evaluation & tagging process. Register NOW. Questions? Contact Jake Smith at smjaco@pa.gov.

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With hands-on activities, up-close nature discoveries, and thematic games, this camp is the perfect way for kids to connect with the natural world. Join us for one session or follow along all summer to learn about these various creatures and their fascinating features!

Each session is $5.00 per child. Register online or by calling the Center at 724-794-6011. In the “Additional Info We Should Know” section of the registration please add an emergency contact person and contact information AND any allergies or medical information we need to be aware of.

Ages 8 - 12

Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

June 18 – Creeping, Crawling and Completely Cool!
June 25 – Ugly? Look Again!
July 9 – What’s that Stink?
July 16 – Nature’s Clean-Up Crew
August 6 – Toxic but Terrific
August 13 – Predator Picnic

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Students will discover how different species use color, shape, and behavior to blend into their surroundings with hands-on activities.

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4:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Meet at the Hells Hollow Trail Parking Lot – McConnells Mill

Join the park naturalist for some fun and discovery as we explore Hell Run Creek for salamanders and all the other critters that live there. This is great fun for the whole family. Dress for the weather, bring water, and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Hell’s Hollow Trail parking lot and is about a 15 minute drive from the gristmill.

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs

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Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

View on site | Email this event

Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

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Don't forget to sign the guestbook when you visit!

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Kayaks, PFDs, and paddles will be provided. Please bring sunscreen, water, hat, and water-appropriate clothing and shoes. Minimum Age: 8 (14 & under with parent/guardian).

Registration is required for this activity. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis. To register, click the "register" button above.

Questions? Contact Rachel at RNazaruk@pa.gov

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Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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¨ Sign up will be 15 minutes prior to each ride time.

( 8:45AM, 10:15AM, and 11:45AM )

¨ Rides will leave promptly at advertised times.

¨ Bench seats with yellow numbers will designate your place in line.

¨ All individuals must be present and waiting on the benches.

¨ Upon sign up, a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) will be given to each participant.

¨ Children 12 years and under must wear their PFD on the dock as well as the pontoon boat.

¨ Safety briefing will be conducted on the boat after all participants are boarded, after which the boat will depart.

¨ Capacity is 16 individuals, infant through adult.

No exceptions.

¨ An individual utilizing a motorized wheelchair will be counted as two individuals.

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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No experience required and bring your own mat or towel.

In case of rain, program will be held in the Visitor Center.

Registration Required.

Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information.

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Registration is required. To register, please email cathewalla@pa.gov

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These programs are designed for toddlers ages 3-6 and build on children's wonder about nature, inviting them to explore wildlife and the world around them.

This month our theme is Bluebirds!

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In the event of rain or storms, this program will continue as scheduled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at 272-808-6192

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The park will provide all equipment necessary for the program.

Due to the nature of this program, participants must be at least 8 years old. Upon arrival, all participants will need to sign in and anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian to sign for them.

This program meets in the overflow parking lot next to the day use area.

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Participants can also use iNaturalist to log observations in the park during the month of June on their own, outside of scheduled program dates. Any observations made within the park boundaries during the month of June will automatically be added to the collection.

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All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate.

Program may be modified or cancelled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines. Meet beside the pool.

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Friday May 22nd - 5pm

Buffalo Ridge Hike - This is a moderate hike that is roughly 1.5 miles out, and a little over a half a mile back on Fisherman's Trail. This is one of our longer trails, with some neat historic features along the way. We will meet at the stage (entertainment pavilion, beside pavilion 3) in the Shoaff's Mill Day Use Area.

Thursday June 4th - 5pm

Mill Race & Blue Ball Tavern Trail birding & nature journaling hike - This walk will feature two of our shorter trails. We may or may not get to do all of both, it depends on how many birds we find! The blue ball tavern trail is a paved trail and is a great trail for a stroller or wheel chair. On this walk we will discover the health benefits of nature journaling, as well as take the binoculars for some bird watching. We will meet at the stage in the Shoaff's Mill Day Use area.

Sunday June 14th - 3pm

Creek Trail nature hike - This trail is a little under 2 miles and offers a wide variety of nature viewing options as it winds through different habitats. This trail can be very muddy, so waterproof boots are a must, especially if it rains prior. We will meet in the pavilion 1 & 2 parking lot.

Thursday June 18th - 5pm

Forest Mandalas - Create your very own work of art with natural materials found in the forest! A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols, or in our case, natural items, that are arranged in a pattern. The creation of patterns reduces stress, anxiety, and promotes mindfulness and a sense of control. We will meet at the stage in the Shoaff's Mill day use area.

Friday June 26th - 5pm

Nature Journaling & Wildlife Watching on Exercise Trail & Tavern Trail - Depending on weather and what's blooming and singing, we'll take one of these two trails to explore nature journaling and bird watching. All materials will be provided. We will meet at the park office.

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Meet at the barn, proceed past the "Do Not Enter"signs to the red barn at the end of Forge Lane.

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5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Point shoreline, just past Pleasant Valley Beach (South Shore) – Moraine State Park

Looking for a great way to connect with your family? Discover just how much fun fishing can be when you do it together at a PFBC Family Fishing Program. Learn basic fishing skills like knot tying, casting, baiting the hook, and taking a fish off the hook. You and your family will have the opportunity to fish – no fishing license required. All equipment provided. The “catch???” Adults must bring a child and children must bring an adult. You’ll be learning and fishing together. Pre-registration is required. Registration is on DCNR Calendar of Events webpage:

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

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Program cost is $10 per person. Participants must be at least 5 years of age.

Reservations are required.

For reservations call

(717)637-2816 option 7.

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Stop by before our documentary viewing to make a craft and learn about the topic.

8:30PM @ Amphitheater (for all ages!)

Join us for the viewing of Pennsylvania: A Keystone for Wildlife from PGC. Stick around for s’mores at our new fire pit!

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Registration is required and space is limited for this unique experience. Please register on the Online Calendar of Events page or by calling the Center at 724-794-6011 no later than June 24, 2026.

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Registration is NOT required.

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If you have questions or would like to know when a specific topic or animal will be featured during a Nature at Night program, email cherryspringsee@pa.gov or call the park office at 814-435-1037 ext 6.

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🗺️Where: Use entrance here, park in the lot. Walk around the hill to the viewing field, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

💼Bring: Red-light flashlight, extra layers/blankets, and a folding/camp chair.

🚫Leave at home: Pets (only trained service animals allowed), alcohol, recreational drugs. Large crowds, dim lighting, and technical equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

☁️Cloud Plan: If it's cloudy, but not activiely raining or storming, stop by anyway!

All programs will be cancelled in the event of rain or thunder. Check the Clear Sky Chart or AccuWeather Stargazing Forecasts for forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions.

Firefly Photo: Chiot's Run, creative commons/flickr.com,

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All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate.

Program may be modified or cancelled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines. Meet at the amphitheater (by the pool).

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🌌Milky Way Visibility (if clear skies): Poor. Bright full moon drowns the fainter Milky Way. Most visible after 2:30 AM, after this program has ended and the moon has set.

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🗺️Where: Use entrance here, park in the lot. Walk around the hill to the viewing field, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

💼Bring: Red-light flashlight, extra layers/blankets, and a folding/camp chair.

🚫Leave at home: Pets (only trained service animals allowed), alcohol, recreational drugs.

☁️Cloud Plan: If it's cloudy, but not activiely raining or storming, stop by anyway! We'll give a screen presentation on what we would be seeing, and may highlight some wonders of the nocturnal world.

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➡️ Check the Clear Sky Chart or AccuWeather Stargazing Forecasts for 48-hour forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions.

All programs will be cancelled in the event of rain or thunder/lightning.

We ask that park visitors please leave their pets at home. Dim lighting, large crowds and sensitive equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

Photo courtesy of Universe Today.

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Explore the diverse landscape of our moon, explore highlands, volcanic plains, and moon mission landing sites. Join park staff in viewing lunar features and discovering where moon landings took place among them. We'll also maybe catch a glimpse of Venus. We run the scopes, you enjoy the view!

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🗺️Where: Use entrance here, park in the lot. Walk around the hill to the viewing field, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area.

💼Bring: Red-light flashlight, a jacket and blankets, and a folding/camp chair.

🚫Leave at home: Pets (only trained service animals allowed), alcohol, recreational drugs.

--

➡️ Check the Clear Sky Chart or AccuWeather Stargazing Forecasts for 48-hour forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions.

All programs will be cancelled in the event of rain or thunder/lightning.

We ask that park visitors please leave their pets at home. Dim lighting, large crowds and sensitive equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

Telescopes available on a first-come, first-serve basis for the time listed. Availability is subject to staff/volunteer availability, weather conditions, and crowd size limitations.

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Saturday, June 13, to Sunday, July 6, 2026

Disaster strikes, and America’s 250th birthday celebration fireworks show is in jeopardy! Come find out if Flash, a tiny Jennings firefly, can help. Discover and read the pages of this children’s story along the trail while exploring the outdoors and learning about nature. This fun, self-guided activity is designed for young children and those young at heart.

The event is free, no registration is required, and will be available Saturday, June 13 through Sunday, July 6, 2026. The story begins on Blazing Star Trail. The unpaved route is generally easy and mostly stroller friendly, but contains some slight slopes, wet areas, and uneven terrain.

For more information call the Center at 724-794-6011.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a
disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven
days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are
available for educational programs.

View on site | Email this event

Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

View on site | Email this event

Thanks for being part of something truly special this month. Whether you're hitting the trails solo, with family, or with a class, you're now a citizen scientist!

Here's how to join the fun:

When you're out enjoying our forest, and you spot a tree, plant, bird, mammal, bug, or fungus — snap a photo and submit it to iNaturalist to help us identify the organisms that call Rothrock home.

How many rare or endangered species can you spot? What about invasives? Can you find Pennsylvania's representative State flora and fauna?

Download the free iNaturalist app on your mobile device, create an account, and every photo you take becomes part of a real scientific dataset for Rothrock State Forest and DCNR. Every observation counts — from a fern frond to a flying squirrel. The competition runs from June 1st to June 30th!

View on site | Email this event

To participate, download the iNaturalist app on your phone, create an account, and start uploading observations found in your favorite parks! iNaturalist is a free citizen science project application that allows users to locate and identify organisms anywhere in the world! You don't have to be an expert to join, simply take photos of organisms in the parks you visit (or your own backyard) and upload them to iNaturalist - all of which is done in the app itself. It's very user friendly and can help scientists discover new populations of organisms and track those that may be declining. It really is an awesome tool for research!

To get started, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/home and create your account. Then, simply visit our park in June and upload sightings within the park! They will automatically be submitted as part of the Bio Blitz. The more sightings, the more chances our park will win, so record everything!

Rules for submissions are as follows:

Recordings of birds and frogs are acceptable, as long as they are clear enough to recognize. You can upload merlin recordings as well through a PC.Trail camera photos are accepted and encouraged for nocturnal life. Time and date stamps should be visible. Honors system on this one!Plants must be WILD in your park. We will not accept garden grown plants/trees this year. It’s too easy to stand in a butterfly garden and grab dozens of species without moving. They need to be growing wild, whether they are native or invasive. This goes for natives in butterfly gardens as well. I would like to know where these species are growing wild, not where they’ve been planted. If you’re not certain, you can include it, but make note of its uncertain origin.No dead animals. Let’s not include roadkill, and absolutely no taxidermy.No pets or “escapees” (i.e., dogs, cats, pheasants).

***If you have questions, please contact jehyde@pa.gov or call (814) -752-2369.

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Don't forget to sign the guestbook when you visit!

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Participate in one of 2 ways:

1. iNaturalist

Download iNaturalist to your smartphone (it's free!) and open the application. Allow it to use your phone's GPS - this comes in super handy for automatically giving locations of organisms in the park (sensitive species can be blocked from general public view). For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it simply by clicking "What did you see?" And if iNaturalist can't ID, we can help! The app will fill in time, date, and location, and that's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists in as they will automatically be added to the park.

Find the app here --> https://www.inaturalist.org/

2. Submit a Checklist with Photos
If you don't want to use the app, you can still participate by sending photos of wildlife found in the park during this timeframe to your Bio Blitz coordinator at your park.

List of participating parks/forests:

Moraine

McConnells Mill

Cowans Gap

Little Buffalo

Black Moshannon

Evansburg

Ryerson Station

Hickory Run

Nescopeck

Forbes State Forest

Jennings EE Center

Vosburg Neck

Fort Washington

Oil Creek

Pine Grove Furnace

Keystone

Codorus

Sinnemahoning

Ricketts Glen

Clear Creek

Cook Forest

Sizerville

Pinchot

Pymatuning

Rothrock State Forest

Lyman Run

Patterson

Cherry Springs

Denton Hill

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Join us for our monthly bird walk. This walk is a slow, flat hike with many stops.

Binoculars are available to borrow.

Birders of all levels welcome!

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Registration is required. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/43L6olf

The Hearth Tender Trail is a stacked loop beginner to moderate hiking/biking trail system adjacent to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The trail will connect to the existing Pole Steeple Trail and when completed the trail will include three different loops (3/4 mile, 1.4-mile, and a 4.1-mile loop).

Cell phone service is limited in this area, so please plan accordingly.

What to Bring:

Hand tools will be provided. If you have a favorite tool, you are welcome to bring it.We’ll be using hoes, pick mattocks, cutter mattocks, rakes, wheelbarrows, and shovels.Wear appropriate clothing and boots/sneakers.Bring eye protection and glovesBring snacks and plenty of water.Directions & Parking:

The work site is located on Old Railroad Bed Rd. (GPS Coordinates. 40.03546, -77.28477) about a mile past the Pole Steeple Trail Parking Lot (https://goo.gl/maps/WJBLfXhEiXKTpFQx6).

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¨ Sign up will be 15 minutes prior to each ride time.

( 8:45AM, 10:15AM, and 11:45AM )

¨ Rides will leave promptly at advertised times.

¨ Bench seats with yellow numbers will designate your place in line.

¨ All individuals must be present and waiting on the benches.

¨ Upon sign up, a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) will be given to each participant.

¨ Children 12 years and under must wear their PFD on the dock as well as the pontoon boat.

¨ Safety briefing will be conducted on the boat after all participants are boarded, after which the boat will depart.

¨ Capacity is 16 individuals, infant through adult.

No exceptions.

¨ An individual utilizing a motorized wheelchair will be counted as two individuals.

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Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and DCNR, the public can borrow fishing rods, reels, and equipped tackle boxes to go fishing.

How you can prepare:

• A valid ID must be provided by at least one adult in the group.

• Equipment is loaned on a first-come-first-served basis and can only be used within the park.

• Park staff may be available to give brief instructions upon request.

• Gear will be supplied but bring your own bait!

• Know what you can and can’t keep! All Fishing regulations must be followed.

• All equipment must be returned to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center by 3:00 PM the same day.

Fishing License Requirements:

• Those 16 years or older need to have a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License.

In addition to a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License:

• Waterworks Ponds: Trout Permit.

• Presque Isle Lagoons: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

• Presque Isle Bay: Trout Permit + Lake Erie Permit.

A Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit is also valid when both are required.

Tackle can be loaned inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from May 1 to September 30 Available for day use only from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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Beach area

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Meet at Butterfly Trailhead, beside Pavilion 6

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Plants make the air we breathe, the wood that builds our homes, and they produce shade on our hot summer days, but plants do so much more. This indoor program focuses on so much more that plants do for us. Free program.

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Questions? Contact Susan at sschenck@pa.gov or call 814-297-5371.

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Wentz Education Center

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Join us for our monthly Volunteer Workday. Projects will include work on the Nature Center Pollinator Gardens, and general clean-up of the trails and park.

Go to dcnrvolunteers.pa.gov to sign up ahead of time!

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This program is designed for ages 12 and up who have little to no experience paddling. Kayaks, paddles, and PFDs provided or you may bring your own.

Space is limited.Those under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.Pre-registration required by 4pm the day prior. To register, email Tony at antdesanti@pa.gov.

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Must be 12 years and older and able to handle an adult kayak to join us. Those under 18 MUST be with a parent. If you have questions, concerns or require special accommodations, please reach out to gracpowell@pa.gov. We will meet at the small grey kayak shed located next to the main boat launch in the East Day Use Area, on Boat Launch Road.

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If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for programs.

For program questions or accommodations, contact Angela at 717-486-7174 or pinegrovefurnaceeeprograms@pa.gov

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Free. No registraton.

In the event of light rain, this program will go on as scheduled. In the event of a thunderstorm, canceled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact our office at (272) 808-6192.

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Learn more about nature journaling, follow Bald Eagle State Park's Nature Journaling Club events, and find some artistic inspiration online on Wonderland! Link: https://wonderland.wildwonder.org/page/welcome-lobby ;

Meet at the Frog Pond. Parking is available at Winter Launch, it is an easy 0.25 mile walk up the gated road to the pond. We also recommend a water bottle. You may want a camp chair, but some picnic tables will be available.

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Join us for a stunning showcase of local craftsmanship! The Magic Needles and Silver Needles Quilt Clubs are coming together Saturday, June 27 from 10am to 4pm to fill the barn with color, history, and artistry.

What to expect:

Patriotic Tribute: A special display celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation.

Feature Exhibits: Stunning Le Moyne Star quilts and a dedicated table runner display.

Get Involved: Sign the annual SSP Signature Quilt and cast your vote for your favorite pieces!

Note: Quilts are for display only, allowing us to appreciate the artistry of our local quilters.

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All experience levels welcome - come ready to get excited about plants and learn about them at a college level.

Please register so we can inform you of weather cancellations and meeting locations as they will very by month.

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Looking for the perfect summer Saturday? “Come to your senses" at Salt Springs Park for a day filled with community spirit, local treasures, and family fun!

Whether you're hunting for a hidden gem at the White Elephant Sale or looking to snag a beautiful handmade quilt, there is something for everyone.

🗓️ Event Details

When: Saturday, June 27th, 2026Time: 11 AM – 4 PMEarly Bird: Quilt Raffle & Barn Viewing starts at 10 AMWhere: 2305 Salt Springs Road, Montrose, PA 18801 ✨ What’s Happening?

White Elephant Sale: Find your next favorite trinket or treasure.Quilts in the Barn: Stunning displays and an exciting Quilt Raffle.Homemade Pie Sale & Auction: Treat yourself to something sweet!Live Music & Entertainment: Enjoy festive music in the park.Food & Craft Vendors: Support local makers and grab a delicious bite.50/50 Raffle & Plant Sale: Take home something green for your garden. 📍 Plan Your Visit

For more information, visit our website at www.friendsofsaltspringspark.org.

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This program is designed for ages 12 and up who have little to no experience paddling. Kayaks, paddles, and PFDs provided or you may bring your own.

Space is limited.Those under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.Pre-registration required by 4pm the day prior. To register, email Tony at antdesanti@pa.gov.

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Designed for beginners, we'll go over the basics of paddling, entering and exiting the kayak, and how to safely navigate being on the water.

Registration is required as there are only 10 spots, $5 payment is required. Payment can be submitted day of by cash or check, or submitted prior to the event by calling the park office. Ensure you are offically registered before considering payment options.

It is encouraged to bring sunscreen, bug spray, water shoes, and a full water bottle.

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This paddle requires us to carry the boats approximately 250 ft from the trailer to the water to launch. Assistance is available upon request.

Meeting Location: Pavilion # 5

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Please register by June 26th so we know how many guests to anticipate.

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Wentz Education Center

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Park and meet at the Western Boat Launch.

*In case of rain, program will be held at the Visitor Center.*

Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information.

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Location: Environmental Learning Center

Recommendations: Be prepared to be outdoors and walking for short periods of time.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park you plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for programs. For program questions or accommodations, contact the park educator at rebharner@pa.gov or 570-966-1455.

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All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate.

Program may be modified or cancelled in the event of severe weather or new community guidelines. Meet at the Archery Range (Northern Part of Park).

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*In case of rain, this program will be held in the Visitor Center.*

Contact Rhiannon Summers at 570-477-7780 or rhsummers@pa.gov for more information.

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