PENFIELD – The Parker Dam State Park has announced the following programming schedule for Sept. 28 – 30.
Friday, Sept. 28
Hiking Basics on the Trail of New Giants
5 p.m. – Lou and Helen Adams CCC Museum
Take a walk through a part of the forest, which has seen a lot of change. You’ll learn how the forest has changed, even recovered, since a devastating natural disaster. Along the way, the basics of hiking and backpacking will be discussed. You will get the chance to see some of the modern equipment used in the backcountry, as well as learn about interesting techniques that will help you Leave No Trace while you are in the wilderness. This less than two-mile hike will be moderate in difficulty, so please wear appropriate shoes.
Saturday, Sept. 29: National Public Lands Day
Park Volunteer Projects
9 a.m. (until 12 p.m.) – meet at Park Office
Anyone can come participate in a variety of volunteer projects throughout the park. These are our public lands, let’s be sure to do our part to keep them beautiful. Work will be divided based on number of volunteers, their abilities, and the priorities of the projects that need completed.
Pennsylvania’s Forest
2:30 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
What better thing to do on National Public Lands Day than to learn about the Pennsylvania forest – of which millions of acres are a part of our public lands. Since the Commonwealth was settled, the forest has undergone many changes. Learn about those changes and how the forest has always been a part of PA’s economy.
Tea and Talk – Fishers
3 p.m. – S.B. Elliott State Park Office*
Sweet fern makes an excellent hot tea. Learn how to identify it and make the tea. Then, try some sweet fern tea for yourself and while enjoying, talk about one of our unique, reintroduced mammals that are now often seen in the area.
Pennsylvania Elk
7 p.m. – Campground Amphitheater
Many folks come to see them, but often don’t know the whole story of elk in the state. You’ll learn about what it takes to manage wildlife, especially a species that requires so many considerations.
Sunday, Sept. 30
What’s That Tree?
1 p.m. – Environmental Education Classroom
There are a great many trees in the forest. Learn about some of the common ones and how you can easily identify them. If you have a leaf collection that is due for school, this will be the perfect opportunity to see a variety of different species; and, one of the only times that you will have permission to take leaves from any of the trees in the park.
