PA Environment Digest Blog: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Announces 2024 Award Winners; Honorees Celebration Set For May 14

On March 8, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced the winners of its 2024 awards. The winners will be honored at an Awards Banquet on May 14 at Little Buffalo State Park in Newport, Perry County.

The banquet will recognize individuals and programs that have demonstrated outstanding dedication to stewardship across 10 different categories.

“We are thrilled to gather once again for our annual awards banquet and celebrate the dedication of our award winners to the preservation and enjoyment of Pennsylvania's natural and cultural treasures,” said Marci Mowery, President of PPFF.

The award winners include--

-- Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award: Pennsylvania Forestry Association: As the oldest state organization in the US dedicated to forest ecology, the PA Forestry Association has an unmatched commitment to stewardship, education, and sustainability.

-- Joe Ibberson Government Award: Wayne Kober: Wayne's 35-year career in the Department of Transportation was influenced by the first Earth Day, guiding him to balance increasing transportation demands with environmental stewardship.

-- President’s Award: Purple Lizard Maps (PLM): Purple Lizard Map’s commitment to detail and connecting people to the outdoors through their maps, along with their commitment to conservation, has earned the respect of many outdoor enthusiasts.

-- Chair Award: Barbara Barksdale: For Barbara Barksdale, a plan to just “clean it (Midland Cemetery) up a bit” turned into a life’s work of preservation, restoration and interpretation of African American historic cemeteries.

-- Park of the Year: Neshaminy State Park:This heavily used park in lower Bucks County requires a coordinated effort among park staff to keep smiles on visitor faces even when closures due to capacity are required.

-- Forest of the Year: William Penn Forest District: Located in the densely populated greater Philadelphia area, the William Penn Forest District manages a diverse array of tracts, including the Goat Hill Wild Plant Sanctuary, an ecologically significant area, along with the tidally influenced Little Tinicum Island in the Delaware, along with several undeveloped forested parcels.

-- Volunteerism (Individual): Margarita Caicedo: Margarita volunteers on a Spanish language, outdoor-focused radio programs, speaks at webinars and media appearances on the connections between the outdoors and health, and rarely turns down a request to attend an event to share her personal story of learning the value of being outdoors to her own life.

-- Volunteerism (Group): Lackawanna State Park Trail Care Crew (LSPRCC): The 26 miles of existing trail (and adjoining lands of the Countryside Conservancy) are improved and restored through LSPTCC efforts with comprehensive long-term plans for expanding the system.

-- Improvement (Individual): Gary Kirk, Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve: Committed to the trails at the Preserve, Gary spends countless hours clearing downed trees, maintaining sapling fields, creating signage, erecting bridges, coordinating volunteers, and uncountable tasks of trail maintenance.

-- Improvement (Group): Friends of Michaux State Forest: The Friends of Michaux State Forest has formed an impressive array of partnerships and volunteer opportunities focused on the conservation of this heavily used forest.

-- Education (Individual): Mike Teeter: Mike and his family readily share their enthusiasm for state parks and forests as they traverse the state attending events on behalf of the Foundation.

-- Education (Group): French and Indian War Officer’s Corp: 2024 marks the 20th year of the Cook Forest French & Indian War Encampment, with the Officer’s Corps being the event’s key coordinating group.

-- Young Volunteer: Hung Pham: A junior at Susquehanna Township High School in Dauphin County, Hung is a founding member of the Hiking and the Environment club started in Spring 2022.

Farm-To-Table Banquet

Awards Banquet attendees can expect to enjoy farm-to-table cuisine sourced from local markets and orchards from a local caterer.

The event promises an evening of celebration and appreciation for the hard work and commitment of volunteers within Pennsylvania's parks and forests.

Tickets for the event are priced at $50 per person. Sponsorship opportunities for awards, tables, and various aspects of the banquet are also available.

Information on sponsorship opportunities and tickets for this special event, can be found at the PPFF Awards Banquet webpage.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

For more information on programs, initiatives, special events and how you can get involved, visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation, Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter or tune in to their YouTube Channel. Click Here to become a member of the Foundation.