DCNR to celebrate the New Year with first day hikes across Pennsylvania

DALLAS — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) this week announced it will host over 50 free, guided hikes in 37 state parks on New Year’s Day as part of the nationwide “First Day Hike” effort.

Designed to promote a healthy start in the new year, these hikes offer families an opportunity to begin rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by talking a healthy hike on Jan. 1, 2022.

“First Day Hikes are a great way to make a resolution to enjoy nature and get more exercise and keep it on the first day of the year,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “They also help remind people that our state parks and forests are open for healthy outdoor adventures in all four seasons, including winter. Consider taking hike and spending time outdoors to start the 2022.”

State parks staff and volunteers lead the hikes, which are usually about one or two miles, but can be longer depending on the park and its terrain.

The following Pennsylvania state park facilities are participating during daylight hours January 1, 2022:

Beltzville, Black Moshannon, Caledonia, Canoe Creek, Codorus, Cook Forest, Cowans Gap, Delaware Canal, French Creek, Gifford Pinchot, Hills Creek, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, Kinzua Bridge, Lackawanna, Laurel Hill, Laurel Ridge, Little Buffalo, Lyman Run, Maurice K. Goddard, Moraine, Nescopeck, Nolde Forest, Environmental Education Center, Ohiopyle, Parker Dam, Pine Grove Furnace, Point, Presque Isle, Prince Gallitzin, Pymatuning, Raccoon Creek, RB Winter, Ridley Creek, Shawnee, Sinnemahoning, Trough Creek.

First Day Hikes are organized by the National Association of State Park Directors to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks, all 50 states have cooperatively sponsored First Day Hikes since 2012.

“America’s State Parks provide havens for young and old alike to discover the tranquility and beauty of nature through outdoor recreation,” National Association of State Park Directors Executive Director, Lewis Ledford said. “Hiking offers inspiring ways to improve your physical and mental health, while exploring beautiful public lands in every state.”

Last year, First Day Hikes were not held in Pennsylvania because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hikers are invited to share their experience on social media using #FirstDayHikes.

Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of Pennsylvania’s state parks on New Year’s Day,” Dunn said.

Additional details can be found at www.dcnr.state.pa.us; click on Events,” then select the “First Day Hikes” tab.

Eagle Scout project benefits bats

Andrew S. Blasko IV, of Mountain Top, recently completed an Eagle Scout service project aimed at helping out one of Pennsylvania’s most misunderstood species of mammals, the population of which has plummeted in recent years.

Blasko, a member of Boy Scout Troop 473 in Freeland, constructed 10 wooden bat boxes and delivered them to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northeast Region headquarters in Dallas.

The boxes are designed to provide female bats with an ideal place to roost and rear their young in the spring and summer months. Each box can hold over 200 nursery colony bats and may help local bat populations in areas where erected.

“Several species of Pennsylvania bats have been suffering from the disease white-nose syndrome, that weakens and kills bats in their winter hibernacula,” explained Game Commission Wildlife Management Supervisor Kevin Wenner. “Some bat species have experienced population declines as high as 95 percent. Projects such as this provide bats with ideal locations to establish nursery colonies.”

Blasko enlisted the help of other Troop 473 Scouts and their leaders to help build the boxes. The boxes will be erected by Game Commission wildlife habitat enhancement personnel on state game lands and other cooperator lands in the Game Commission’s Northeast Region. Bat boxes are placed within openings with appropriate solar exposure, to warm the bats and their pups, while in relatively close proximity to a body of water, so that the bats have easy access to emerging insects.

Eagle Scout service projects develop a Scout’s leadership skills and provide important lessons in project development and management. An Eagle Scout service project must benefit the community and it is considered the “application phase” of what an Eagle Scout candidate has learned thus far through Scouting.

“Bats benefit humans by eating insects. They reduce agricultural damage and prevent possible disease transmission,” Wenner added. “Andrew did an excellent job in visualizing this valuable project and seeing it to completion.”

Each year, the Game Commission works cooperatively with Boy Scouts across the state in their quest to become Eagle Scouts.

2022 dog licenses perfect holiday

gift for our constant companions

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding this week announced availability of 2022 dog licenses, reminding Pennsylvania dog owners that a dog license makes the perfect stocking stuffer for canine companions.

“The best way to protect your dog this holiday season, and every day of the year, is to license your dog,” said Secretary Redding. “2022 licenses must be purchased by Dec. 31, so why not give your best friend the gift of security on Christmas day.”

All dogs three months of age and older are required to be licensed. The fee for an annual dog license is $6.50, or $8.50 if the animal is not spayed or neutered. Lifetime licenses are available for dogs that have permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo. Discounts are available for qualifying older adults and persons with disabilities.

Licensing dollars support the work of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to:

• Inspect Pennsylvania’s kennels and ensure the health and well-being of the dogs that spend their lives there;

• Investigate and prosecute illegal kennels and bad actors;

• Protect the public by monitoring PA’s dangerous dogs and investigating dog bites; and

• Reunite licensed lost dogs with their families and help unlicensed lost dogs find shelter.

Pennsylvania dog licenses are available for purchase through Pennsylvania’s county treasurers. To ensure you’re purchasing a legitimate license and not being scammed, skip the search engine and type licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov into your browser’s address bar find your county treasurer’s information.

“It’s simple, if you love your dog, license your dog,” added Redding. “The process is quick and easy to do, and every license sold helps dog wardens, animal rescues, and shelters to keep the dogs, and people, of Pennsylvania safe.”

For more information of Pennsylvania’s dog laws, visit agriculture.pa.gov or licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov.