What we’re about
The PA Parks and Forests Events group is for anyone who loves PA's state parks and forests! Join us for volunteer days, educational trainings, fundraisers, conservation efforts, or being a part of one of 40+ Friend's Group chapters across the state.
This group will show events hosted by Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF). PPFF is a nonprofit that supports the 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest across the commonwealth. We work towards helping removing accessibility barriers so everyone can experience the outdoors, host trainings and education opportunities, organize volunteer days, and assists 40+ Friend's Groups help support their park or forest.
It is free to be a part of the PA Parks and Forests Events group. While most of PPFF events are of no cost, any event that does will have it listed on its individual event listing.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Meet the K9 Water Rescue Team w/ Friends of Beltzville State ParkBeltzville State Park, Lehighton, PA
FREE: Come out and meet your Water Rescue K9 team and lifeguards, as well as the Friends of Beltzville volunteers! This is your chance to meet our volunteers up close and personal. Find out all about the work we do as volunteers and how to join us in our efforts. Other local first responders will be joining us weather pending.
For more information or questions, stay tuned to The Friends of Beltzville Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BeltzvilleStateParkFriends
- An Evening with DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn and Author Allen Dieterich-WardMidtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA
This event is free and open to the public.
For full info, click here.
The Midtown Scholar Bookstore is honored to welcome Shippensburg University professor Allen Dieterich-Ward for a conversation and signing on his new book, Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania. Dieterich-Ward will be in conversation with Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. This event is free and open to the public.
To enter the signing line, books must be purchased from the Midtown Scholar Bookstore. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event, or you may preorder a copy of the book for pickup/shipment.
About the Guests:
Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward is a professor of history and director of The Graduate School at Shippensburg University. His first book, Beyond Rust: Metropolitan Pittsburgh and the Fate of Industrial America won the 2016 Arline Custer Memorial Award from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference. His second book, Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania is now available from Temple University Press. He is the past president of the Pennsylvania Historical Association, former editor of the Pennsylvania History Series, and a board member of PA Humanities.Cindy Adams Dunn is the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources which manages 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forest for recreation and other values, provides conservation and recreation technical assistance and a large related grants program, and operates the Pennsylvania Geological Survey. At DCNR, she has helped position Pennsylvania as a leader in land conservation, outdoor recreation, green practices and public land management. During her tenure the department created the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps to connect youth and young adults with job opportunities relating to the outdoors and the environment. Under her direction, Pennsylvania continues efforts to address the impacts of climate change, as well as providing leadership on planting forest buffers along streams to improve water quality. Dunn has worked in both the public and private sectors. She served in several leadership posts at leading environmental advocacy groups like Audubon Pennsylvania, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and PennFuture. She is trained as a biologist, and when not at work championing conservation her hobbies include birding, fishing, canoeing and hiking.
- Monthly Evening Hike with Friends of Shawnee and Blue Knob State ParksShawnee State Park, Schellsburg, PA
Meet the Friends every month on the second Wednesday for a hike, alternating between the two parks.
In 2025:
Blue Knob: January, March, May, July, September, November
Shawnee: February, April, June, August, October, DecemberCheck in with the Friends Facebook page to see where each month’s hike will take you. This is a great way to become acquainted with night hiking, in a safe and Friendly environment.
