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Outdoors

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 ...

Reflections in Nature: Bees and wasps are out and about this time of year

One day last week I heard Mary Alice yelling for me to come quickly. Naturally I listened and went to her rescue. I saw a large wasp crawling on her sleeve and when I tried to knock it off, the wasp fell on her arm and she was stung. What I heard next was, “This is the last time I’m ...

Ephemerals will arrive in local woods this time of the year

Go into the woods and be willing to bend down to observe closely: Forest magic is unfurling in the form of spring ephemeral (short-lived) wildflowers. These tiny wonders are at their peak of magnificence right now. Ephemerals need very early direct spring sunlight before tree canopies ...