PA Parks & Forests Foundation To Recognize 2026 Award Winners May 12 At Little Buffalo State Park

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation will recognize the winners of the 17th annual Parks and Forests Awards at a banquet on May 12 at the recreation hall in Little Buffalo State Park, Perry County.

This year's honorees are--

-- Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award—Andrew Mowen, Ph.D.

         Sponsor: Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

-- Joseph Ibberson Government Award—Silas Chamberlin, Ph.D.

         Sponsor: KCI Technologies

-- President’s Award—Jennifer Marsh

         Sponsor: Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania

-- Chair’s Award—Outdoor Inclusion Coalition

         Sponsor: Jessica and Greg Lee

-- Park of the Year—Black Moshannon State Park

         Sponsor: Seneca Resources Co., LLC

-- Forest of the Year—Buchanan State Forest

         Sponsor: Purple Lizard Maps

-- Improvement Award (Individual)—Chad Zimmerman

         Sponsor: The Organic Snack Company

-- Improvement Award (Group)—Mid State Trail Association/Bald Eagle Bridge Crew

        Sponsor: Stahl Sheaffer Engineering

-- Volunteer of the Year (Individual)—June Morgan

-- Volunteer of the Year (Group)—Friends of Ridley Creek

        Sponsor: George & Kristie Asimos / Charles & Susan Davidson

-- Education Award—Friends of Colonel Denning

-- Young Volunteer Award (Individual)—Erik Torikian

-- Young Volunteer Award (Group)—Keystone Mountain Bike Team

Click Here for tickets and more information on this special event.

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.

Related Articles This Week:

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation To Recognize 2026 Award Winners May 12 At Little Buffalo State Park  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Launches New Statewide Volunteer System To Expand Access To Outdoor Service Opportunities [PaEN]

-- DCNR, Fish & Boat Commission Visit Recently Completed River Restoration Project At Bendigo State Park In Elk County Ahead Of Trout Season Opening April 4   

-- DCNR: Apply Now For Northcentral Regional ATV Trail Permit 

-- Take Five Fridays With Pam Now Available From PA Parks & Forests Foundation

-- Keystone Trails Assn. Launches 100 Mile Challenge To Support Pennsylvania's Hiking Trails  [PaEN] 

-- PA Environmental Council March In Case You Missed It Now Available  [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Council Accepting Applications For Statewide Non-Motorized Waterway Access Grants  [PaEN] 

-- Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Awards $40,000 In Mini-Grants To Support 6 Local Projects

-- PA iMapInvasives 2026 Invasive Species Scavenger Hunt May 1-31; Webinar Introduction April 30  [PaEN] 

-- Friends Of The Allegheny Wilderness: US Forest Service New Regional Headquarters To Be In Warren  [PaEN] 

-- President's Proposed Federal Budget Is A 'Staggering Disinvestment' In Farmers And Rural Communities,' Puts Hurdles In The Way Of Chesapeake Bay Restoration  [PaEN]  

NewsClips:

-- Centre Daily Times: Black Moshannon Named State Park Of The Year By PA Parks & Forests Foundation At Event Unveiling New Volunteer System 

-- Republican Herald: PA Recreation & Park Society Recognizes Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department For Revitalizing Trout Population To Boost Outdoor Recreation

-- TribLive: $7.5 Million Fallingwater Project Designed To Ensure Iconic Frank Lloyd Wright Home Will Stand The Test of Time

-- WNEP: Pocono Whitewater Looks To Hire 100 Workers For Upcoming Rafting Season

-- Tribune-Democrat: Flight 93 Memorial Added To State’s New Highway Of Heroes Trail 

-- Republican Herald: Schuylkill River ‘River Of Revolutions’ Sojourn To Honor America’s 250th Anniversary - June 13 to 19 

-- Republican Herald: Volunteers Needed To Clear Scenic Hiking Trail Along Schuylkill River In Port Clinton 

-- LancasterOnline: Here’s What’s New In Outdoor Recreation This Spring Thanks To Lancaster Conservancy

-- The Nature Conservancy PA News: Celebrate Earth Day With Hike At Cove Mountain Preserve; Join Statewide Cleanup Events; Be Part Of City Nature Challenge

[Posted: April 4, 2026]  PA Environment Digest