Harrisburg — If you plan to go boating now, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission reminds that the state’s annual cold weather life jacket requirement went back into effect Nov. 1.

Through April 30, anyone on a boat less than 16 feet, and all canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, is required to wear a life jacket.

Each year in Pennsylvania, nearly 80% of victims of boating fatalities were not wearing a life jacket. Since the mandatory requirement went into effect in 2012, the number of boating deaths during the cold weather months has been cut in half.

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More Farms are Preserved Here

Lebanon, Pa. — Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Talview Dairy Farm in Lebanon County on Oct. 15 to celebrate a major milestone in Pennsylvania’s history — the preservation of more than 6,600 farms and 650,000 acres of farmland for agricultural use across the commonwealth, the most farms of any state in the nation.

The Farmland Preservation Program is a collaborative effort between state and local governments and nonprofit organizations, united in the goal of preserving prime farmland for future generations.

There’s a Sinking Feeling on Valley Creek

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting here, voted to approve a change in fishing regulations at West Valley Creek, Section 03, in Chester County.

Under this change, Section 03 will be removed from the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Areas program.

In February 2024, the commission was notified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection of an issue with sinkholes forming in the immediate vicinity of West Valley Creek. To ensure safety of agency staff, volunteers and anglers, the commission canceled all trout stockings for both West Valley Creek sections 02 and 03, for 2024 and 2025.

Big Project at Gifford Pinchot Campground

Lewisberry, Pa. — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is investing $8 million to enhance the visitor experience at Gifford Pinchot State Park by replacing the campground shower house and restroom facilities with modern, accessible and family-friendly amenities.

Construction will require full campground closure beginning Sept. 8, 2026, through early 2028. DCNR is replacing existing facilities, which were built in the early 1970s to meet today’s visitor expectations for comfort, accessibility, and convenience.

Apple Tree Access to be Closed for Awhile

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently announced that the Apple Tree Access, which provides fishing and boating access to the Susquehanna River in Exeter Township, Luzerne County, will be closed from Nov. 17-21.

During this time, improvements will be made to the parking area.

While work is being completed at the Apple Tree Access, anglers and boaters should plan accordingly to find alternate access to the Susquehanna River by using the commission’s West Falls Access Upstream.

No Action from Fisheries Managers on Stripers

Harrisburg — The future of the struggling striped bass population remains in peril after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted for “status quo” management on Oct. 29, despite alarming red flags for the species.

At its quarterly meeting in Dewey Beach, Delaware, members of commission’s Striped Bass Management Board did not make any changes for the 2026 fishing season. Notably, the board voted against a coastwide 12% reduction for commercial and recreational fishing removals.

This decision suggests the striped bass population will not rebuild by 2029 – a management plan requirement from when the species was declared overfished in 2019.

Pa. Now Has 2 ‘Thrive Outside’ Cities

Harrisburg — Pittsburgh has been named the newest Thrive Outside community, a national designation recognizing regional efforts to expand outdoor access and strengthen community connections.

With this recognition, Pennsylvania is one of only two states in the nation with two Thrive Outside communities – in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia – among just 15 designated nationwide.

The designation was announced recently at the Frick Environmental Center in Pittsburgh, where Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation Director Nathan Reigner joined community, philanthropic, and national outdoor leaders to celebrate the recognition.

New Forester for Tuscarora State Forest

Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced the appointment of Dave Yeager as the district forester for 96,000-acre Tuscarora State Forest, which spans Cumberland, Franklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and Perry counties.

A Chambersburg, Franklin County, native, Yeager holds an associate degree in Forest Technology from Penn State Mont Alto and studied Forest Science at Penn State.

He began his career with DCNR as a forest technician in Tuscarora State Forest.