Dear {{Constituent First Name}}:

I hope the July 4^th holiday was good to you. It has been a challenging few weeks in the outdoors, with poor air quality. Please take care when organizing volunteer days. The EPA has a great up-to-the-minute tool for monitoring air quality in your locality. Check out AirNow.gov.

I am working on scheduling visits with all groups. It has been some time since we visited all chapters, with COVID impacting our travels. If your meeting dates/times have changed or are variable, please let us know.

Yours in the Outdoors,

Marci J. Mowery, President

TRAINING 

Some updates on the following training opportunities being made available to Chapter leaders. We're down to the nitty gritty on these so response/registration needed as set forth below.

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL with an opioid overdose/ Naloxone administration add-on
  
  • • Presented as a hybrid online and in-person session by American Red Cross
    • In-person: 7/17/2023, 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, at the PPFF office, 704 Lisburn Road in Camp Hill
    • An additional online portion of the training must be completed prior to the on-site training.
    • Five slots available at no charge on a first come, first-served basis. Email Pam before 7/12 to nab one!
  • Interpretive Host Training 
    • Presented by DCNR, this training will give volunteers/docents/front-line staff the opportunity to learn the basics about interpretation, best-practices for interacting with visitors, and other customer service techniques
    • Two two-day workshops:
      • 10/24 and 10/25 at Laurel Hill State Park (likely at no charge)
      • 11/1 and 11/2 at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center (likely with a charge for your lodging at the Cameron Masland Mansion)
    • A minimum of 10 participants are required before DCNR will commit to scheduling these. This will be the last call for chapter participation before we open this to other volunteers. Email Pam with your interest.
  • Wilderness First Aid
    • • Offered by Keystone Wilderness Medicine/NOLS, this 16-hour (two-day) course of instruction covers patient assessment and how to provide basic care for sick or injured patients. Students will participate in hands-on scenarios in addition to classroom lectures and activities.
      • 8/19 and 8/20 in Philipsburg
      • The cost of the course is $335/person. PPFF will cover 50% or $167.50 of the cost with the participant responsible for the balance of $167.50. This is a cost that could be covered by the Friends group treasury.
      • We have one interested participant. Email Pam if we should add you to the list before opening it to other volunteers.
      • Note: Please do not sign up for this course unless your Chapter realistically offers a "back country" type experience to visitors. If you are chainsaw certified (or will be), this IS a good add-on to your skill set.
  • Chainsaw Training
    • • This two-day basics course will be offered at Tuscarora State Park on October 14th and 15th. 
      • More information and registration available now: Event Registration: Chainsaw Training with Peter Jensen (Tuscarora)
  • In-Person Chapter Retreat
    • • Our first post-COVID retreat is a go!
      • Join us 11/10 and 11/1 at the Christian Retreat Center outside East Waterford. It's a lovely quiet rural setting with access to the Tuscarora State Forest and several parks you may not yet have marked off your Passport.
      • Registration available now (and more details will follow): Event Registration: 2023 Chapter Retreat

KNOW

We are still working to find a solution for the hay ride regulations that could impact your events. We are as frustrated as you on this change and hope that we can find an answer so as to avoid impacts to the wonderful events that are held across Pennsylvania.

KNOW TOO

Have you added your event to the Healthy Lands Week website yet? Use the event submission page and join this initiative, part of DCNR's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP):

Like the website says,

Healthy Lands Week is a statewide initiative to strengthen volunteer activities, engage visitors, and raise awareness of stewardship of cultural and natural resources. Through volunteer events, educational programs, recreational programs, volunteer recognition, and other initiatives, it is an annual “rallying cry” for public engagement in the places and landscapes that make Pennsylvania home. This year’s impactful event runs from National Public Lands Day on September 23 through A Walk in Penn’s Woods Day on October 1. Healthy Lands Week also supports Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania initiative.

SHARE

Note Tasha's social media message this month includes that July is both Lakes Appreciation and Parks and Recreation Month. 

Also included are links to the Healthy Lands Week social media. Don't forget to link/like/follow HLW through your own social.