PA Parks & Forest Foundation Launches New Podcast-- It's Time To Think Outside!

Want to explore nature and aren’t sure where to begin? Are you an avid outdoor enthusiast seeking new adventures? Curious about the best places to see and appreciate Pennsylvania’s natural beauty?

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation has launched "Think Outside," a new podcast dedicated to promoting outdoor opportunities, nature exploration, and wellness.

“We hope the Think Outside podcast will, first and foremost, get you outside,” said Marci Mowery, PPFF President and the podcast’s host. “Playing outside. Volunteering outside. Prioritizing outside. Yes, THINKING outside.”

With inspiring interviews, compelling stories, and practical tips, "Think Outside" will feature conversations with leaders in the outdoor community and showcase ways listeners can enjoy, protect, and honor the heritage of Penn’s Woods.

Listeners can find the Think Outside podcast from these and other sources-- Spotify, Apple and Pocketcasts.

Or follow on Instagram @ThinkOutsidePPFFPodcast.

The podcast debut is timed to honor J. T. Rothrock Memorial Conservation Week (April 21–27, 2025), Earth Day (April 22, 2025), and Arbor Day (April 25, 2025)

Dr. J. T. Rothrock is known as the Father of Pennsylvania Forestry.

As the first President of the PA Forestry Association, founded in 1886, Rothrock promoted forest stewardship at a time when the impacts of massive timbering were being felt—wildfires, flooding, diminishing water quality. 

During Dr. J. T. Rothrock Memorial Conservation Week citizens are encouraged to consider the conservation of all of the natural resources from which the wealth of the Commonwealth is derived. 

More information is available from the Pennsylvania Conservation Heritage Project.

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, and its 45 chapters, work with the124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest through outreach, transformative projects, and volunteerism. The mission of the foundation is to inspire stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests. 

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Marks Earth Day By Planting Over 400 Trees At Pottstown School District In Montgomery County  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Invests Nearly $1 Million To Expand Motorized Recreation On Piney Rail Trail Corridor For ATVs, Bikes In Clarion County

-- DCNR Grants: Partnership Expands Recreation Options In Northeast PA; 420 Applications For Conservation Partnership Grants Totaling $120 Million 

-- DCNR State Parks Environmental Educator Newsletter Helps You Celebrate Earth Day!  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Names Stacie Hall Park Operations Manager For Hickory Run State Park Complex In Carbon County

-- PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Announces River Sojourn Grants, Schedule  [PaEN]

-- PA Recreation & Park Society: People, Parks & Community Foundation Now Accepting Applications For Grants To Improve Recreation, Community And Organizational Development  [PaEN] 

-- Allegheny Land Trust, Game Commission Partner To Preserve 266 Acre Deer Creek Conservation Project In Indiana Twp., Allegheny County  [PaEN] 

-- Allegheny Land Trust, Cannon Design Release Plans For New Mobile Learning Lab  [PaEN] 

-- Brandywine Conservancy Launches New Website For Getting Started With Native Plants; Native Plant Sales In Delaware, Westmoreland Counties  [PaEN]

-- North Branch Land Trust Hosts May 10 Event In Luzerne County On Exploring The Beauty And Importance Of Native Plants  [PaEN]

-- PA Firefly Festival Receives Over 1,800 Entries To Campout Lottery; Private Guided Firefly Eco-Tours Available At Kellettville Firefly Farm In Forest County  [PaEN]  

-- Game Commission Announces Spraying Plan To Combat Spondy Moths On State Game Lands

NewsClips:

-- Warren Times Editorial: State Parks A Vital Resource

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Pittsburgh Should Market Itself As One Of America’s Great Outdoors Cities, Because It Is 

-- April 18 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: 560 Acre Wildfire In Carbon County Forces Closure Of Popular Trail 

-- MCall: Large Brush Fire Near Jim Thorpe Continues As Crews Contain More Than 50%

-- WNEP: Crews Battle Blustery Winds In Bear Mountain Wildfire

-- PennLive: Nature Conservancy Acquires 509 Acres Of Land In Dauphin County, Transfers To Game Commission

-- Registration Open! Delaware River Sojourn June 14-20 - Celebrating 30 Years Of Paddling The Delaware  

-- Warren Times: Volunteers Refurbishing Trailhead Kiosks Along Allegheny National Forests’ North Country Trail

-- PittsburghUnionProgress.com: Allegheny County Ready To Develop ‘Brilliant’ Trail Across Allegheny River At Aspinwall 

-- TribLive: Former Brilliant Branch Rail Line A ‘Blank Canvas’ For Public Trails, Economic Growth 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County Seeking Funds For ATV Trail Feasibility Study

-- PennLive: Environmental Activist Helps Bring New Park To Harrisburg Neighborhood

-- Discover NE PA: The Hidden Power Of Northeast PA’s Waterways

-- TribLive: Penguin Court Offers Native Plant Sale, Plans Master Naturalist Course In Westmoreland 

-- PennLive: Fisherman Pulls 2 Kayakers From Dock Street Dam In Harrisburg: ‘They Weren’t Going To Last Long’

-- Erie Times: McKean County Man Pleads Guilty To One Charge, Fined In Federal Probe Of Ginseng Purchasing

-- Republican Herald: See The Grandeur Of Our Nation During National Park Week

-- NYT: A Guide To Visiting National Parks In An Uncertain Summer Of Firings, Buyouts, Lack of Seasonal Workers, Closed Campgrounds, Limited Hours

[Posted: April 23, 2025]  PA Environment Digest