Elk, pine plantations, and innovative land owner solutions

Do you appreciate the trill of a Fowler`s toad, the flame red of a scarlet tanager, the stark winter beauty of the snowshoe hare, or sharp call of the bobwhite quail? These are all species of conservation interest in Pennsylvania. With more than 85 percent of Pennsylvania being privately owned, the use of private lands has a profound effect on the stability of our native wildlife. Until now, little help was available to aid private landowners interested in integrating species into their land-use practices. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, has created a private landowner assistance program. Join PGC Wildlife Diversity Biologist Justin Vreeland at Parker Dam State Park Environmental Education Classroom on October 9, 2004 at 7 p.m. for an informative presentation about this new program. For details, call (814) 765-0630, or email parkerdamsp@state.pa.us.

Parker Dam State Park

This rustic, remote park in the heart of Moshannon State Forest, Clearfield County, is almost entirely wooded and offers picturesque areas of forest and swamp meadows, pine plantations and mixed hardwoods. The CCC Interpretive Center interprets the Civilian Conservation Corps. Parker Dam is a good base to explore the surrounding state forest.

The 968-acre Parker Dam State Park offers old-fashioned charm and character. A scenic lake, rustic cabins, quaint campground and unbounded forest make Parker Dam an ideal spot for a relaxing vacation. For wilderness explorers, Parker Dam provides a gateway to the vast expanses of the Moshannon State Forest. You can walk through a tornado (from 1985) ravaged woods, backpack into the 50,000-acre Quehanna Wilderness, mountain bike to your heart's content or enjoy quiet solitude searching for elusive Pennsylvania elk. For further information and directions, go to the DCNR web site.

Today's photo is of the the park office and EE classroom. Insets are a large yellow lady-slipper (Cypripedium pubescens), a species of concern in the park; and a young bobcat (Felis rufus), taken about three weeks ago. Photos by Eric Rensel, EES, Parker Dam State Park.

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