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Winners Of PPFF State Park And Forest Awards Honored
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The PA Parks and Forests Foundation honored groups, facilities and individuals for exemplary service, programs and work to protect and enhance our state park and forest system at a gala in Harrisburg May 3.
The top honor, the Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award was presented to Robert Griffith, who served as the first Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society from 1977-2010.
Griffith is a leader in the recreation and park field, a tireless advocate for funding for state parks and other conservation funding initiatives, and has served on numerous advisory and planning groups and coalitions in support of recreation and conservation programs.
“The Commonwealth is better off today because of the leadership of Bob Griffith as the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society’s Executive Director for the past 33 years,” said Marci Mowery, PPFF President. & CEO. He truly embodies the spirit of Cliff Jones, PPFF’s original visionary mentor and for whom this award is named.”
Other award recipients are:
-- Joseph Ibberson Government Award: The Forest Assessment Team—DCNR Bureau of Forestry for work completing a statewide forest resource and assessment plan that now serves as a national model.
-- President’s Award: Borough of Ohiopyle for efforts working cooperatively with multiple partners including Ohiopyle State Park, DCNR, and local residents to preserve, protect and enhance this unique and special community.
-- Park of the Year: Pine Grove Furnace State Park for work improving both facilities and programs at the park through the formation of a volunteer friends group; a partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy to restore the Iron Master’s Mansion; and, with the Appalachian Trail Museum Association to open the Appalachian Trail Museum.
-- Forest of the Year: Susquehannock State Forest for exemplary work balancing the needs of the recreation community, timber industry, and the natural gas industry through the formation of key partnerships while maintaining the integrity of the forest ecosystem.
-- Friends Volunteerism Award: The Friends of Mt. Pisgah for outstanding work helping to increase the parks visibility through innovative and creative events, educational and recreational activities, all bringing families together outdoors.
-- Friends Education Award: John Salvetti, Prince Gallitzin State Park Volunteer for his 26 years of service to the Bureau of State Parks, specifically his coordination of a bluebird monitoring program for Prince Gallitzin State Park; and for sharing his knowledge and passion for ornithology by providing numerous educational birding programs helping to attract many visitors to Prince Gallitzin State Park.
-- Friends Improvement Award: Thomas Scully, Mechanicsburg for his extensive volunteer services to improve and maintain hundreds of miles of hiking trails in state parks and forests and along the Appalachian Trail.
For more information, go to the PPPF website.
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5/16/2011 |
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