PA Environment Digest Blog: DCNR Begins Fall Foliage Reports Sept. 30; Experts Available For Fall Foliage Tips For Residents, Travelers

To highlight some of the world’s most beautiful, diverse fall foliage, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is making its experts available to serve as regional advisers, offering tips and resources to help residents and visitors experience a colorful autumn in a variety of ways across the Commonwealth.

Beginning September 30, weekly fall foliage reports can be found online on the DCNR website and will be updated every Thursday.

Fall foliage typically peaks for several weeks near the beginning of October across Pennsylvania.

Visitors can get suggestions about the best spots to view fall foliage on the Penn’s Woods Fall Foliage story map and on the Pennsylvania Tourism Office website.

“Pennsylvania is a large state with more than 130 native tree species, which gives residents and tourists plentiful opportunities to see a symphony of colors this fall,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Visitors can check out one of our 121 state parks and more than 2.2 million acres of state forestland for some of the best views, recreation trails and park experiences. Our dedicated state foresters and park personnel look forward to recommending both the best times and locations to experience the beautiful vistas of the season.”

While the leaves are the star of the show, Pennsylvania also boasts an abundance of great festivals, pick-your-own farms, and unrivaled haunted attractions that make the state the obvious choice for autumn.

In a typical year, Pennsylvania’s approximately 200 million travelers inject about $45 billion into Pennsylvania’s economy, generate more than $5 billion in tax revenues, and are responsible for more than 500,000 jobs related to or benefiting from tourism.

“From the Lehigh Valley to the Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania’s autumnal landscape is second to none,” said Carrie Fischer Lepore, deputy secretary of the Office of Marketing, Tourism and Film in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). “Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to grab your camera, a pumpkin spice latte at a local coffee shop, and head to one of our state’s scenic locations to experience the wonder for yourself.”

For fall-inspired festivals and experiences, go to visitPA.com or follow Visit PA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Pursue your happiness and join the conversation using the hashtag #FallinPA.

Click Here for a list of fall foliage experts around the state.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

NewsClips:

-- TribLive: Laurel Highlands Ranks 8th In USA Today’s Top-10 Fall Foliage Spots; PA’s Pocono Mountains Was 3rd

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Top Fall Foliage Spots In PA From People Who Developed The National Map

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: PA’s Fall Foliage Expected To Bring Vibrant Colors, Accuweather

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: PA Has 2 Spots In Top 10 Fall Foliage Destinations In U.S.

-- PG - John Hayes: Lake Erie Paints Erie’s Leaves In Unique Colors In Autumn

-- Senate/House Return Sept. 20 - Will They Fund Local Flood Prevention, Watershed Restoration, Recreation Projects With Part Of The $5 Billion That’s Laying Around?

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council: Meets Sept. 22 On Emergency Preparedness; Oct. 27 Economics And The Outdoors Discussion

-- DCNR: State Park Visitation Down From The Record 2020, But Still 3.9 Million Ahead Of 2019

-- DCNR Blog: Conservation Landscapes - Spotlight On Lehigh Valley Greenways

-- DCNR: Statewide ‘Walk With A Doc’ Campaign Promotes Health And Nature

-- South Mountain Partnership: September - October Walk & Talk Speakers Series