The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Friday recognized the outstanding stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state park and state forest systems by the Friends of Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, a chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, awarding them the 2015 Group Volunteer Award. This year’s award is sponsored by Williams Companies.
The Friends of Nolde Forest started in 2006 with the vision of serving as an advocate for Nolde Forest by promoting public awareness, supporting conservation and habitat restoration, and assisting and engaging in educational activities.
Each month, the Friends host an open house in the Nolde Mansion which sits on the property. The Friends guide visitors through the mansion and give them a history of the former baron Jacob Nolde and his family. This has inspired them to create additional education programs about the history of the area.
The Native Plant Committee and the Friends work together to purchase plants, do weeding and planting, and complete general maintenance on the gardens as Turtle Pond, McConnell Hall and the Sawmill Area.
The group also provides bird seed and feeders for migratory birds passing through the area. These purchases support the Project Feeder Watch citizen science project which provides the Cornell Lab of Ornithology with bird-feeding data. Each year the Friends host a 10k fundraiser, the Deena Andrus Memorial: Run for the Ages 10k Trail Race, as well as a pottery show; proceeds from both go to the park.
“The Friends of Nolde Forest are a positive, can-do group that has commitment their energies to enhancing the visitors experience and understanding of the rich cultural and natural history at Nolde Forest,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “We commend them for their work and look forward to a continued relationship with them.”
The Friends of Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center was honored at PPFF’s 9th annual awards banquet on May 5 at the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill, PA.
Other 2015 PPFF Award Winners:
-- Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award: Linda McKenna Boxx
-- Joseph Ibberson Government Award: Norm Lacasse
-- President’s Award: Deloitte LLP
-- Park of the Year Award: Point State Park
-- Forest of the Year Award: Buchanan State Forest
-- Improvement Award: Warren Renninger
-- Individual Volunteer Award: Helen Maurella
-- Education Award: Friends of Black Moshannon
-- Young Volunteer Award: Kayce Bobnar
For more information, visit the PA Parks and Forests Foundation website.
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