Join The 5th Annual Walk In Penn's Woods On October 3

Pennsylvanians of all ages are invited to get out and explore a piece of our state’s 12 million acres of forestland during the 5th annual Walk in Penn’s Woods on Sunday, October 3. 

Whether you join in one of the many organized woods walks happening across the state or take to the woods for your own adventure, take time on October 3-- or anytime the first weekend of the month-- to discover all that Pennsylvania’s forests have to offer.

Since 2017, the first Sunday in October has been set aside for the public to join hosted walks at sites throughout Pennsylvania to learn more about Penn’s Woods and gain easy access to expert forestry, wildlife, and natural resources professionals. 

Some walks have children’s activities; others highlight managed wildlife habitat or watersheds; you may see the results of harvesting activities or plantings of native trees and shrubs; still others may demonstrate the effects of urban tree cover or riparian buffers. 

Walk in Penn’s Woods also features a growing number of sites that are wheelchair and stroller accessible. 

“I Did It!”

If a hosted walk isn’t for you and yours, you can still get out and discover Penn’s Woods in your own way! 

Create your own woodland learning adventure at a trail, park, or forested landscape near you, and be sure to report your adventure at Walk in Penn’s Woods to receive your “I did it!” stickers and some great resources about Penn’s Woods and the people who care for them. 

Pennsylvania’s forests bring us a wide array of benefits-- some values we see clearly; others are a little more hidden. 

The trees and ground cover provide nutrients for the soil, food and homes for wildlife, clean air and water, wood products that we use in our daily lives, and peace and tranquility for us to enjoy. 

Walk in Penn’s Woods – whether at a hosted walk or a family afternoon in the forest - raises awareness about the importance of forests to our lives and the effort that goes into caring for them.

The Walk in Penn’s Woods partnership includes the Center for Private Forests at Penn State, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Penn State Forestry and Wildlife Extension, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Forest Stewards, the PA Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters, the PA Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

For more information about trails, parks, and sites across the state, and a listing of hosted walk locations, times, and descriptions, visit the Walk in Penn’s Woods website.

(Reprinted from the PA Forestry Association newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Articles:

-- Penn State Extension: Help Celebrate Riparian Buffer Month In October! 

-- DCNR Secretary: American Rescue Fund Dollars One Option To Address $1 Billion State Parks, Forests Maintenance Project Backlog, Paying Back Oil & Gas Fund 

-- U.S. Endowment For Forestry & Communities: Seeking Proposals To Promote Sustainable Change In Working Forests 

-- ​​Keep PA Beautiful: Celebrate National Public Lands Day By Participating In Pick Up Pennsylvania 

[Posted: September 23, 2021]  PA Environment Digest