Shows
Think Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationCabins and Campsites and Yurts, Oh My! with Matt Crosbie and Beth GroveFrom primitive campsites deep in the woods to full-hookup RV spots and cozy yurts, Pennsylvania offers a wide spectrum of overnight options for every outdoor adventurer!Joined by our host Marci Mowery to discuss these camping and lodging options are Matt Crosbie, Non-motorized Recreation Specialist at the Bureau of Forestry, and Beth Grove, Park Operations Manager at the Bureau of State Parks.Matt breaks down the rustic side: 2.2 million acres of state forest provide opportunities for backpackers, roadside campers, and water trail explorers. Minimal amenities mean packing in—and out—is essential, but the payoff is s...2025-06-3037 minThink Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation“Loyalsock State Forest: Wild, Quiet, Unforgettable” with Rich Glinski“It’s embracing the solitude of the forest that I think brings the most amount of reward to people.”Nestled in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains, Loyalsock State Forest spans 115,000 acres across Sullivan, Bradford, and Lycoming counties. Our host, Marci Mowery, talks with District Forester Rich Glinski, who calls Loyalsock “rugged, pristine, and beautiful”—an apt summary for a forest full of remote waterfalls, cliff overlooks, and legacy trails like the 59-mile Loyalsock Trail and the historic Old Loggers Path.Named 2025’s Forest of the Year, Loyalsock is more than scenic; it's a dynamic landscape balancing recreation with energy de...2025-06-1639 minThink Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationInside Pennsylvania’s State Parks: A Conversation with John HallasPennsylvania is home to one of the most accessible state park systems in the nation. With 124 parks—and a 125th on the way—the state offers free admission and parking, a rarity in the U.S. This isn’t just policy; it’s principle. Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with the Director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, John Hallas, who states, these parks are 'democratizing spaces,' open to all, regardless of income or background.Each park reflects the state's natural and cultural diversity, from the historic battlegrounds of Valley Forge to the quiet trails of Boyd...2025-06-0232 minThink Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationExploring the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail with Mike Mumau“Starting and ending can depend on where your journey begins”Stretching just over 70 miles, the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail winds through four Pennsylvania counties, crossing ridgelines, game lands, and private forests. Starting in Ohiopyle State Park, the trail climbs north through Somerset, Westmoreland, and Cambria, offering dramatic views, deep solitude, and hard-won miles. Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with Division Manager Mike Mumau about this beautiful area.It's not easy terrain—steep, rocky, and carved from the Appalachian Plateau—but that's part of the draw. As Mike puts it, the trail offers somethin...2025-05-1923 minThink Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationExploring Hills Creek State Park with Ben StoneNestled in Tioga County between Mansfield and Wellsboro, Hills Creek State Park offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by farmland. Unlike other regional parks, it’s bordered by private land, giving it a quiet, remote feel—yet it's conveniently close to town. Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with Division Manager Ben Stone about this beautiful area.A key feature is its 137-acre warm-water lake, great for year-round fishing, especially bass and panfish. In winter, it’s one of the first to freeze, with over a foot of ice this past season. For ice safety, 4 inches of clear ice is ide...2025-05-0528 min
Girl Scouts Amplified VoicesMarci Mowery, President of the PA Parks & Forests Foundation, explores the power of the outdoorsAs camp season kicks into high gear and we all soak up that fresh outdoor beauty, we’re chatting with Marci Mowery, former Girl Scout and current champion of conservation! She talks about her love of Girl Scouts, shares why protecting our wild spaces matters (hint: it’s kind of a big deal) and why carving out time to volunteer isn’t just good for the world, it’s good for YOU too. Spoiler alert: volunteering is basically a health boost in disguise!
2025-04-2925 minThink Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationExploring Presque Isle and Erie Bluffs State Parks with Matt GreenePresque Isle State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s most visited and ecologically diverse parks—an ever-changing landscape shaped by wind, water, and time.Today our host Marci Mowery chats with Matt Greene, Park Manager of Presque Isle and nearby Erie Bluffs, to explore what makes this peninsula on Lake Erie so unique.Presque Isle (meaning “almost island” in French) is home to a rare Great Lakes ecosystem, with more threatened and endangered species than any other similarly sized area in the state. With seven and a half miles of sandy shoreline, it offers not only gua...2025-04-2131 minThink Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationInside the Outdoors with Secretary Cindy Adams DunnWhat do a legacy of conservation, a changing climate, and your own backyard have in common?As it turns out—everything. Our host, Marci Mowery is joined by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn to discuss how public lands, local stewardship, and the wisdom of the past are shaping a greener future.Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests weren’t always the thriving natural havens they are today. In the late 1800s, widespread deforestation and environmental degradation inspired early conservationists like Joseph T. Rothrock and Mira Lloyd Dock to push f...2025-04-2136 minThink Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationWho We Are, What We Love, and Why We Think Outside with Marci Mowery and Pam MetzgerWelcome to the inaugural episode of Think Outside! Marci Mowery and Pam Metzger kick things off with an introduction to the podcast and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF). They also reflect on some of their favorite outdoor adventures!In Pennsylvania, the outdoors offer more than recreation—they offer renewal. Whether through hiking, cycling, photography, or simply sitting quietly under a tree, Marci and Pam believe that time spent in nature is a boon to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.While the mission of the Foundation is to inspire stewardship of state parks an...2025-04-2123 minThink Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationWelcome to Think Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationWelcome to Think Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation!Think Outside is your guide to outdoor opportunities, nature exploration, and wellness. Discover expert tips, inspiring stories, and new ways to connect with the great outdoors for a healthier, happier life.🎧 Listen to the Think Outside Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite app while on the go! New episodes drop bi-weekly on Mondays, and you may occasionally find a bonus episode, as well!The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation inspires stewardship of YOUR state parks and forests through volunteerism, education, recreation, and...2025-04-1401 min
Hemlocks to HellbendersPreserving paradise with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest FoundationWhen it comes to our parks and forests, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources can only do so much. There’s too much trail maintenance, invasive species removal, education programs and other things that must be done to complete it allThat’s where the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation steps in. Since 1999, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation has acted as the official non-profit partner of the Commonwealth’s state parks and forestsOver the course of decades, the Foundation has built an impressive volunteer base, funded innovative programs in education and recrea...2024-01-3159 min
Grit & GravitasWomen in the Wild!Did you know there’s a state park within 30 miles of every residence in Pennsylvania? Marci Mowery, President of Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF), joins Anne Deeter Gallaher and Anne Carnathan in Season 3, Episode 4 to discuss her passion for the outdoors and PPFF’s mission to explore, protect, and enhance PA's state parks and forest land. Discover the “Women in the Wild” program empowering women in the outdoors, the accessibility of state parks in Pennsylvania, and tips for budget-friendly hiking.
“Our goal is to get people engaged in the outdoors,” says Mowery. Tune in to learn about...2023-10-2435 min
WKOK Sunrise7/21/21 WKOK Sunrise: Marci Mowery on the massive impact of state parks, new Friends groups, and the impact parks have on our wellbeing…Marci Mowery, President, Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, on the massive economic and community impact of the state parks in PA, the mission, vision, and the work of the Foundation, along with the education, fundraising and volunteering. We’ll discuss their Friends Groups throughout the state (including Milton and Shikellamy), the process of forming a local ‘Friends of RB Winter State Park Group.’2021-07-2112 min
Park Maintenance Shop TalkShop Talk - Illegal Dumping and Waste ManagementCOVID-19 has changed our park landscapes. Overcrowding in urban parks has driven people outside their communities into surrounding municipalities, state parks, and state forests for recreation activity. Increased traffic in smaller communities, on trails, and public open spaces demonstrates the importance of our industry. However, not all municipalities are prepared for increased demands on their systems. As more people continue to utilize services and amenities, infrastructure and logistical challenges may occur. More people generate more waste to manage. How can we best prepare our facilities to manage waste...2020-11-191h 00
The left leadMarci Powell with Cloverleaf ConnectionMarci Powell called in from Canada to talk with us about the cloverleaf connection! Make sure to find it on Facebook by searching ‘cloverleaf connection’. This page is a well of knowledge with interviews from Martha Josey, Ryan Pedone, and Kassie Mowery to name a few! Make sure to check it out, if you are interested in having a interview with the cloverleaf connection make sure to reach out to Marci!2020-04-2034 min
Pennsylvania LegaciesStarving the GoosePennsylvania has one of the nation’s most extensive state park-and-forest systems, and for decades it’s been growing in size as well as popularity. But funding for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) hasn’t kept pace with that growth. As a result, a new Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) report warns, DCNR is facing a $1 billion backlog in delayed maintenance and repairs to park and forest infrastructure. We look at the state of our state parks and forests with PPFF president Marci Mowery.2019-05-0319 min
WITF Smart TalkSmart Talk 06/08/2016: Many questions about medical marijuana; Cleaning up state parksWhen Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation last April legalizing the use of medical marijuana to treat about a dozen illnesses, it was celebrated by thousands across Pennsylvania -- especially the parents of children who suffered from violent seizures and could be treated with the substance. The governor and others were quick to point out that medical marijuana wouldn't be available overnight and that it may two years before the program was fully operational. In the meantime, many questions have arisen like how and when will marijuana be grown, will doctors who will have to prescribe it and banks that will...2016-06-0800 min