Event honors organizations and individuals throughout rural 13-county PA Wilds region
BRADFORD – On July 25, the 10 recipients of the 2024 Champions of the Pennsylvania Wilds Awards were recognized for their efforts to help grow and sustainably develop the region’s outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism.
Approximately 200 people from across the 13-county PA Wilds region and Harrisburg gathered to celebrate the award winners during the 2024 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, which was held at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The theme for this year’s dinner was “The Road Less Traveled Makes All the Difference,” nodding to the Declaration of Principles for the Pennsylvania Wilds.
The Champion of the Pennsylvania Wilds Awards celebrate individuals, groups, organizations, communities and businesses that in the last year have made significant contributions to the region’s outdoor recreation economy, helping to create jobs, diversify local economies, inspire stewardship and improve quality of life.
Award winners, announced in May, include: Artisan of the Year, Lynn Kibbe; Best Brand Ambassador, Starr Hill Vineyard and Winery; Business of the Year, Mountain Top and Provisions; Conservation Stewardship, Watershed Conservation Program of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy; Event of the Year, Jakes Rocks Trail Fest; Great Design, Bald Birds Brewing; Great Places, Zippo/Case Museum; Inspiring Youth, Brandy Schimp and Kane PTO; Outstanding Leader, Joshua Zucal; and PA Wilds Planning Team Member of the Year, Will Hunt.
“We took the road less traveled and, 20 years into this, it has made all the difference,” said Ta Enos, founder and chief executive officer of the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, alluding to the theme of this year’s dinner.
“Honoring our past, lifting up local businesses, working across traditional lines, creating and innovating, leveraging partner strengths… these things take time, but they are what makes this work special and impactful, and these things have turned our collective approach into a nationally-recognized model.”
The awards were created by Don Luke of DLE Designs, a professional level Creative Maker in the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania (WCO) network. Based in Lycoming County, DLE Designs expertly crafted the wooden plaques with laser cut designs, featuring the winners’ names and the PA Wilds logo.
The plaques were made from oak hardwood from a property in Waterville, Pa., meaning that all of the lumber for the awards was harvested and milled within the PA Wilds region.
During the social hour preceding the dinner, attendees enjoyed the displays set up by vendors and exhibitors inside the University Room, including: Artwork by Julie Mader, Conklin Studio Pottery, Ellen Paquette Art, Jessie Vaughn, PA Wilds Conservation Shop, Rosie Marketing, Splishy Splash Craft, Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, The Center for Rural PA, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Keystone Trails Association, Lumber Heritage Region, Marc Wilken – Economic Recovery Corps, Northcentral PA Conservancy, PA Firefly Festival, PA Route 6 Alliance, Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry, Warren County Visitors Bureau and Western PA Conservancy.
In addition, Starr Hill Winery offered tastings and sold to-go bottles of Squatch-N-Berry huckleberry wine, which was a licensed collaboration with the PA Wilds Center. Bradford Brew Station was also on hand to provide a cash bar with their locally crafted beers.
Catering this year was provided by Metz Catering Services at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, with herb-roasted chicken and a vegetarian butternut manicotti with sage cream, complimented by a caesar salad, marinated grilled vegetables, smashed potatoes and yellow cake with white frosting for dessert.
The honorary host of the night was Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, which provided a bag of goodies for each attendee, including ANFVB brochures and visitor guides, coupons and info about local McKean County businesses and a special ANF-themed wooden fridge magnet from Elk & Walnut.
Many elected officials and community leaders attended the event, including several county commissioners from around the PA Wilds area, community organization and non-profit leaders, as well as state Sen. Cris Dush, state Rep. Mike Armanini, an aide from state Sen. Gene Yaw’s office, an aide from state Rep. Martin Causer’s office, an aide from Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s office and an aide from Sen. Bob Casey’s office.
The award for Best Brand Ambassador was presented to Starr Hill Vineyard and Winery of Curwensville, Clearfield County. It was presented by Hannah Brock, licensing manager for the PA Wilds Center.
Starr Hill Vineyard and Winery won the 2024 PA Wilds Best Brand Ambassador Champion Award for its recent Squatch ‘N Berry wine collaboration.
The Best Brand Ambassador Award honors an organization or individual who has made significant contributions to promote and develop the PA Wilds brand through logo use, place name recognition, branded product development, storytelling, event or experience packaging or similar efforts.
The playful theme of Sasquatch in Starr Hill’s huckleberry-flavored grape wine acknowledges the popularity of the cryptid. The wine was so popular that it is now being produced in cans, along with the traditional bottles.
In addition to raising awareness about the PA Wilds through its distribution, a portion of proceeds from each Squatch ‘N Berry sold supports the mission of the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, which is to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that strengthens and inspires communities of the PA Wilds region.
About The PA Wilds
The Pennsylvania Wilds is a 13-county region that includes the counties of Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Warren and northern Centre.
The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that inspires the communities of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
The PA Wilds Center promotes the region and its 2+ million acres of public lands as a premier outdoor recreation destination as a way to diversify local economies, inspire stewardship, attract investment, retain population and improve quality of life.
The PA Wilds Center’s core programs seek to help businesses leverage the PA Wilds brand and connect with new market opportunities, including: the Wilds Cooperative of PA, a network of more than 575 place-based businesses and organizations, and the PA Wilds Conservation Shop, a retail outlet primarily featuring products sourced from the WCO.
For more information on the PA Wilds Center, visit www.PAWildsCenter.org. To learn more about the WCO, visit www.WildsCoPA.org.
Explore the PA Wilds at www.PAWilds.com. Find regionally made products at www.ShopThePAWilds.com.