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Reflections in Nature: It’s hard to predict when leaves will change their colors

The leaves have been rapidly changing colors and, with the help of the wind, many trees are already shedding their leaves. Through the years, I held a state game lands tour on one Sunday during the fall, which I tried to coincide with the leaves at their peak of color. This year in Bradford County, I think the leaves will peak during the second week of October. Predicting when leaf color will peak is a challenge because not all leaves change color at the same time. For example, the walnut tree is one of the last trees to produce their leaves in the spring and one of the first trees ...

Shapiro admin study finds Northcentral Regional ATV trail connector generates $23.5M in revenue over 2-year period

HARRISBURG — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources state forester Seth Cassell announced final economic data from a monitoring study for the Northcentral Regional All-Terrain Vehicle trail connector — formerly known as the Northcentral ATV Regional trail connector pilot — in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The trail generated an estimated revenue of $10.4 million in 2022 and $13.1 million in 2023 for Potter and Tioga counties, according to a Penn State analysis. DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry implemented a comprehensive monitoring program to evaluate NRAT’s social, ...

Outdoors community calendar for week of Oct. 8

MAPPING YOUR ADVENTURE WHERE: Rider Park WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 5:30-7 p.m. NOTES: Lunar’s Outdoor Adventures will show you how to use multiple hiking apps to plan and record your trip. Come prepared to hike. To register, visit lunarsoutdooradventures.com. Audubon Event: Zindel Park in Clinton County WHERE: Zindel Park. WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 a.m. NOTES: Join Lycoming Audubon Society for a leisurely walk on open roads and trails looking for fall migrants, late resident birds, and possible early winter arrivals. Tick precautions are recommended. Program is ...

Lift on Pennsylvania’s near-total ban on Sunday hunting near?

Editor’s Note: Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s near-total ban on Sunday hunting has long had the support of farmers and outdoor groups, but crop-hungry deer and swing district lawmakers could tip the state toward lifting restrictions. The debate over hunting on Sundays isn’t new in Harrisburg, but this year something changed: The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau ...

PFBC seeks public feedback on new strategic plan

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is seeking public feedback on a new Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania.​ This updated plan for 2025-2029 was developed based on input from PFBC Commissioners and staff from the bureaus of Fisheries; Hatcheries; Outreach, Education, and Marketing; Law Enforcement; and Administration. The goal of this strategic plan is to ensure that adequate protection is afforded to Pennsylvania's wild trout resources, and that fisheries provided through the management of wild trout and stocking of adult and ...

Rider Park is glad to be hosting Walk in Penn’s Woods Day on Sunday

Every year, there’s a statewide sponsored initiative throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association for numerous nature walks. This year, that event falls on Sunday, Oct. 9 and Rider Park is part of said initiative. Rider Park is hosting a Walk in ...