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Outdoors

Plenty of reasons to support our local wardens, WCOs

The internet is a wonderful tool and can also be great entertainment. But there are times when I wish I never turned it on, usually after reading something that frustrates or infuriates me to no end. One such topic is the unrelentless badgering that our game wardens and waterways conservation officers receive for simply doing their jobs. In a recent post by the Fish and Boat Commission announcing a recent event having nothing to do with law enforcement, it only took a few comments before the trolls came out. First, some said the officers are nothing more than pirates. Then another ...

Reflections in Nature: There’s plenty of medical use for various plants

No matter if the flowers a mother receives on Mother’s Day are bouquets of dandelions, violets, lilacs or roses, each will be lovingly received. I hope the abundance of pollen does not keep you from spending time outside during the month of May. No other month — except for September — gives us more wildflowers. May has more varieties of wildflowers than September; however, September’s flowers are more abundant. While May’s flowers are small and fragile due to their short growing season, September’s flowers have had the whole summer to grow tall, with heavy stems, will ...

DCNR resources opens grant applications to protect at-risk wildlife and native plants

HARRISBURG — Applications are now open for the 2025 Wild Resource Conservation Program, which offers grant funding to support research and conservation projects that protect Pennsylvania’s native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems, announced the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The WRCP, overseen by DCNR, provides critical support for conserving non-game animals, native plants and fungi, and invertebrates such as insects — species often left out of traditional conservation programs but vital to the Commonwealth’s ecosystems. “These grants fuel the kind of ...

Outstanding achievements in law enforcement recognized

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced several awards presented to staff during the PFBC Board of Commissioners quarterly business meeting recently. Excellence in Law Enforcement The Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association Officer of the Year Award was presented to WCO Chad Lauer, whose district includes Tioga County in the Northcentral Region. In 2024, WCO Lauer’s exemplary law enforcement efforts included 46 days of onboard boat patrols, 600 boardings, the investigation of 12 environmental incidents, and the investigation of timber ...

Community Outdoor calendar for week of May 13

AUDUBON EVENT: GLACIER POOLS PRESERVE WHERE: 757 Pine Tree Road in Hughesville WHEN: Saturday, May 17 at 9 a.m. NOTES: Join the Lycoming Audubon Society on a venture to the eastern portion of Lycoming County and walk the woods and fields of this unique 270 acre preserve. Woodpeckers and other forest specieis as well as migrating warblers should be found. The trail is easy to moderate hiking. The porgram is free and open to the public. For more details, visit www.lycomingaudubon.org. VOLUNTEER CLEANUP WHERE: Hyner Run State Park WHEN: Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 ...

Nature-based non-profit helps adults connect with nature

Deep Green Journey is a Williamsport-based non-profit offering immersive nature experiences like forest therapy walks and backpacking trips. According to Deep Green Journey’s director Beth Jones there’s no good substitute for being immersed in nature. “Nature is often something that ...