Still time to weigh in on state forest planning

There's still time to make sure officials know your thoughts on future management of Penn's Woods. Why are public lands important to you? 

Rock Run stream, Loyalsock State Forest

As we posted in a recent blog, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is taking citizen input on how it manages our state forests in twelve public meetings -- happening now -- on the Draft State Forest Resource Management Plan (SFRMP). 

The draft plan, last revised in 2007, is the main tool the Bureau of Forestry uses to manage Pennsylvania's approximately 2.2 million acre state forest system. 

At each public meeting, DCNR staff will take input in a small group setting and record your comments. In our previous blog post you'll find more details and a full meeting schedule through November 18.

Do you camp, fish, or hike in PA's forests? Are you concerned about the environmental impacts of unconventional gas development? What kinds of conservation issues are important to you in preserving our state forest system and its natural and recreational treasures? 

This is your chance to be part of the public process and help protect these special places -- like the Clarence Moore Lands of the Loyalsock State Forest, pictured above -- for future generations.

Upcoming meetings include October 29 in Clarion, November 3 in State College, November 10 in Carlisle, and November 12 in Williamsport. All meetings take place from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. and we have the full details and locations. 

Can't make a meeting? Written comments are also accepted through November 30 at StateForestPlan2015@pa.gov.

Kate Gibbons is Northeastern PA outreach coordinator and is based in Wilkes-Barre.

Calling on Gov. Wolf to protect the Loyalsock State Forest

Summertime for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians of all walks of life means picnics, hikes, swimming and fishing on Pennsylvania's great public lands. One particular gem among our state parks and forests is the Loyalsock State Forest -- and this week, the Save the Loyalsock Coalition, representing 100,000 members, urged Gov. Tom Wolf to use his power to protect 25,000 acres of this irreplaceable place from gas drilling.

Rock Run - photo courtesy of Jeff Mitchell

The Save the Loyalsock Coalition was organized in 2012 in response to an urgent threat of proposed drilling on an extraordinary 25,000 acre tract of state forest land known as the Clarence Moore Lands, located primarily in Lycoming County. The Coalition's statewide and local conservation, recreation, fishing and outdoors organizations have engaged citizens and the previous administration in response to the threat of drilling in one of the area's last remaining unfragmented forests.

Gov. Wolf has already worked to protect other state lands from gas development, beginning with Executive Order 2015-03 to again prohibit new leases for gas development in our state parks and forests -- reversing the decision by the Corbett administration. However, since the Clarence Moore Lands are not protected by the moratorium, the magnificent Rock Run (pictured above), the Old Loggers Path trail, and an Audubon Society-designated Important Bird Area are all still at risk of being irreversibly altered by major gas development. 

"Unbroken wilderness areas across our Commonwealth are being increasingly reduced due to gas development infrastructure," said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of PennFuture. "Keeping the Loyalsock's unique Clarence Moore Lands safe for citizens to hike, fish, and experience while protecting rare and endangered species' critical habitat are values shared by countless Pennsylvanians."

You can tour this beautiful and wild part of Penn's Woods via the Loyalsock story map, thanks to FracTracker. Read the Coalition's full letter and press release, and watch for more actions you can take to add your voice to hundreds of thousands of citizens saying: Save the Loyalsock Forest.

Kate Gibbons is northeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator and is based in Wilkes-Barre.

Picture yourself here protecting our parks

PennFuture is part of a statewide coalition of more than 20 groups working to protect public lands, including a key section of the Loyalsock State Forest, from new gas drilling. Since late 2012, we've been keeping readers informed of the intensive legal, advocacy, and policy work by this broad-based coalition of conservation, outdoors, and civic groups. You've answered the call: emailing and calling your legislators and the Governor, attending public meetings, and more. Yet, there is more to do. We've come up with a new fun way to participate -- and showcase your favorite Pa. outdoors spot to boot -- so please join in.

Take part in our coalition's new online photo campaign to keep our state parks free from drilling and stop any further gas leasing in our state forests. We’re asking you to help us get 200 pics posted by Memorial Day -- and as readers and supporters, we suspect you already spend time exploring the great outdoors.  It’s easy:

1. Visit frackfreeparks.tumblr.com and print out the sign to the left. Or create your own variation on the message.

2. Next, take a picture of yourself (yes, a “selfie!”) holding the sign outdoors. Bonus points if you’re at a state park or state forest. People, kids, pets all welcome in the pic -- be creative!! Check out the page for what other folks have done.

3. Email your picture to frackfreeparks@gmail.com and we’ll put it up on Tumblr.

4. Post to Instagram, Twitter and/or Facebook with the hashtag #FrackFreeParks.

Questions? Please email us. A little camera shy? Take a look at several of our four-legged creatures standing in to add their voices! Want to help this go viral across the state? Send the link to friends, family, your book and fishing clubs, or yoga class. 

Remember, our legislature votes on the state budget in June. Your voice today is crucial to protecting those special places that belong to all citizens of the Commonwealth.

Kate Gibbons is northeast Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Wilkes-Barre.

Meet the Citizens behind PennFuture

As Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, we are made up of dedicated citizens who support the important work necessary to protect Pennsylvania's environment through donations and volunteer time. We are also made up of dedicated citizens who choose to work at PennFuture. Together, we can achieve our common goals to protect our environment for future generations without sacrificing a growing economy.

On Thursday, November 7 at the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport, you will be able to meet the citizens who work with PennFuture and mingle with the citizens who support them. Come and learn about what we're doing in north central Pennsylvania. You'll hear brief updates on the latest environmental news, including a short presentation on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's proposed plan to implement the Oil and Gas Act (Act 13) signed by Gov. Tom Corbett in 2012. As well, we'll give you the latest information about our work in the Loyalsock State Forest.

The following PennFuture staff members look forward to meeting you:

• Mark Szybist, staff attorney (northeast and north central Pa. legal matters and gas drilling issues)
• Steve Stroman, policy director
• Susanne Whitehead, director of donor relations

Some special guests are expected, too!

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free, but please R.S.V.P. to help us plan.

We know your time is valuable, but your attendance is an investment in our environment, and your support can generate returns for all Pennsylvanians with clean air, clean water, and clean energy.