News of note
And ... we're live!
The registration page for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community that is. May 20 is the day and we are ready ... to form teams, gratefully accept donations and sponsors, and generally get ready for a great time. And even if you can't be in Harrisburg on May 20, you can still form a team and participate. I'm going to pull together my friends (be warned, gals) and do a "remote 5k" locally with our donations and enthusiasm going into the PPFF coffers.
And speaking of live, the video and poster contest winners in our anti-graffiti stewardship competition are posted to the website. Huge congratulations and thanks to our winners - and to everyone who entered. The fact that so many young people "got the message" gives us hope that they can persuade their friends that painting on and carving into our jointly owned treasures is wrong.
The posters will be on display along with the winners in last year's Parks & Forests Through the Seasons photo contest beginning this weekend at the State Capitol. They'll be there all month so please do stop in and see them as you come to the Capitol to visit your local representative or senator and express your devotion to the state parks and forests!
See this little birdie? He's just darned adorable and will be one of the prizes at our silent auction for the banquet this year. He's the creation of Victor's Art Beats, to whom we send big thanks for the donation. All proceeds of the auction support our work to remove barriers to participating in outdoor recreation. If you have something you would like to donate, contact Beth at the office. She's the Queen of the Silent Auction!
Do you know a sophomore to senior high school student who might be interested in a career in the outdoors? DCNR's annual ECO (Exploring Careers Outdoors) Camp is now accepting applications (through April 15) for 20 students to participate in the 16th annual residential program that begins in July.
Last, but certainly not least, we are pleased to note that we have been awarded a $7,500 challenge
grant from the Greater Harrisburg Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, to match any new money we
receive during calendar year 2017. Much like your local public radio or
television station might announce a match for your donation during
pledge drive weeks, this challenge grant speaks specifically to new
donors or an increased contribution over what you may have given in the
past. These extra funds will not only conserve our parks and forests for
future generations, they will help us connect students to the outdoors
by providing scholarships for bus travel for school and community
groups. So thank you in advance for thinking kindly of us in 2017!