{"id":230047,"date":"2026-06-28T03:03:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T03:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/230047\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T03:03:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T03:03:10","slug":"dcnr-accepting-nominations-for-2027-pennsylvania-trail-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/230047\/","title":{"rendered":"DCNR accepting nominations for 2027 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trails are integral in supporting PA\u2019s $20.4 billion outdoor recreation industry<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) this week announced that Pennsylvanians now can nominate their favorite trail for the 2027 Trail of the Year.<\/p>\n

The Commonwealth is home to more than 14,000 miles of trails, which serve as the backbone for Pennsylvania\u2019s $20.4 billion outdoor recreation economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe competition to be Pennsylvania\u2019s 2027 Trail of the Year has officially begun, and we are hopeful to receive nominations from rural and urban communities alike for this important designation,\u201d said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. \u201cStewards of our trails can visit DCNR\u2019s website and make the case for being the top trail today. We are excited for this year\u2019s competition and look forward to seeing which trail prevails.\u201d<\/p>\n

To be considered, a nomination form and supporting documentation must be submitted online by July 31. The trail management organization will be recognized as the award recipient. Visit DCNR\u2019s website at pa.gov\/agencies\/dcnr<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

The winning trail will be recognized in a news release; through a commemorative poster for statewide distribution; with a trailhead marker along the trail; and a grant for educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection on the trail.<\/p>\n

Visit the Pennsylvania Trail of the Year webpage for more information about where to submit the form and supporting materials. The Trail of the Year will be announced in early 2027. \u200b<\/p>\n

Each year, the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee designates a Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for trails and raise public awareness about the value of Pennsylvania\u2019s trail network.<\/p>\n

The 20-member DCNR-appointed committee represents both motorized and non-motorized trail users and advises the Commonwealth on use of state and federal trail funding.<\/p>\n

The advisory committee is charged with implementing the development of a statewide land and water trail network to facilitate recreation, transportation, and healthy lifestyles for all.<\/p>\n

Pine Creek Rail Trail is the 2026 Trail of the Year. The Pine Creek Rail Trail attracts more than 44,000 visitors annually, generating more than $5 million in local economic impact. The historic 62-mile trail connects visitors to a wealth of recreational and cultural experiences from Jersey Shore in Lycoming County to Wellsboro in Tioga County.<\/p>\n

PFBC to conduct \u2018Operation Dry Water\u2019 enhanced BUI enforcement July 3-5<\/p>\n

During the extended Independence Day weekend and throughout the remainder of the summer, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will be focusing on boater safety by keeping impaired boaters off the water.<\/p>\n

From July 3-5, Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) will join other law enforcement agencies across the country to conduct Operation Dry Water \u2014 a nationally coordinated campaign which includes enhanced Boating Under the Influence (BUI) enforcement on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints.<\/p>\n

In partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the PFBC is working to increase boater awareness of the hazards associated with impaired boating, and to decrease the number of accidents and deaths attributed to impaired boating and other unsafe boating practices.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe waters of the Commonwealth are shared by all of us, and they should be a safe place to enjoy,\u201d said Col. Jeffrey Sabo, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement. \u201cA boat operator\u2019s judgment and reaction time are affected by alcohol and drugs the same way as when you\u2019re driving a car on the road. That impairment can actually be greater on a boat because of the added stressors of sun, heat, wind, and noise.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Pennsylvania, it is unlawful to operate any watercraft, powered or unpowered, while impaired. The blood alcohol limit for boat operators is .08%, and WCOs are trained to recognize signs of impairment and conduct sobriety tests on the water. Penalties for BUI include fines, loss of boating privileges, and possible imprisonment.<\/p>\n

The PFBC recommends that boaters avoid alcohol altogether, or at minimum, choose a designated operator who will not consume any alcohol during the duration of the boating trip.<\/p>\n

In 2025, the PFBC arrested 27 individuals for BUI, including 9 arrests made during the Operation Dry Water campaign. Among those arrested was a boat operator with a blood alcohol content of .198%, which is approximately two-and-a-half times the legal limit.<\/p>\n

Free guided tours of rare regal fritillary butterfly habitat at Fort Indiantown Gap<\/p>\n

During the months of June and July, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs\u2019 (DMVA) wildlife staff will provide free, guided tours of the only population of the eastern regal fritillary butterfly in the eastern United States, at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) near Annville, Lebanon County.<\/p>\n

Reservations are required and attendance is limited. All attendees, including children, must register online at ftig.isportsman.net\/ButterflyTours.aspx<\/a> and obtain a free permit.<\/p>\n

To attend a tour, you must present a permit for that specific date and time slot. All press must also register online and obtain the free permit to attend.<\/p>\n

Guided tours will be offered, rain or shine, June 29, as well as July 1, 8, and 10. No rain dates will be provided.<\/p>\n

Attendees will be required to travel, guided by FTIG personnel, from the meeting location to the tour location in their personal vehicles. Tours will last approximately one hour plus driving time. Meeting location and parking information will be provided after obtaining a permit.<\/p>\n

Visitors of all ages and abilities are invited and welcome to attend. Tours will comprise of a moderately difficult hike on foot over gravel roads and mowed paths. Please bring drinking water and dress appropriately for the weather and uneven terrain. Wandering off the path, into the fields or away from your tour guide is prohibited. Please note, there is little or no shade on the tour route.<\/p>\n

Like many military installations, FTIG is home to a diverse population of plants and animals, many of which are rare and considered species of conservation concern. It is home to 49 species of mammals, 143 species of breeding birds, 37 species of reptiles and amphibians, 35 species of fish, more than 800 species of plants, along with many other notable species of invertebrates including 86 species of butterflies and over 900 species of moths.<\/p>\n

Back Woods Bass Results<\/p>\n

Week of June 14<\/p>\n

Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday Night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River Tournament.<\/p>\n

Monday Night<\/p>\n

River Tournament<\/p>\n

1st Place: Brad Glazenski\/Keith Stevens 4.29 lbs<\/p>\n

Also won Lunker Award 1.70 lbs<\/p>\n

2nd Place: Jerry &d Jerry Vitale 3.68 lbs<\/p>\n

3rd Place: Bread Keen\/Austin Swartwood 3.40 lbs<\/p>\n

Wednesday Night<\/p>\n

Harveys Lake Lunker Tournament<\/p>\n

1st Place: Jake Rowland 3.89 lbs<\/p>\n

2nd Place: Joe McGraw Jr. 3.44 lbs<\/p>\n

3rd Place: Jake Seymour 3.21 lbs<\/p>\n

4th Place: Kenny Kosloski 3.17 lbs<\/p>\n

5th Place: Andre Harris 3.15 lbs<\/p>\n

6th Place: Kevin Seymour 3.03 lbs<\/p>\n

7th Place: Joe Kosloski 2.97 lbs<\/p>\n

8th Place: Gary Mikulski 2.83 lbs<\/p>\n

9th Place: Mike Burton 2.65 lbs<\/p>\n

10th Place: Harlow Rowland 2.64 lbs<\/p>\n

Friday Night<\/p>\n

Harveys Lake Tournament<\/p>\n

1st Place: Jake & Kevin Seymour 12.70 lbs<\/p>\n

2nd Place: Pete Sulla\/Josh Colarusso 12.47 lbs<\/p>\n

3rd Place: Jake Rowland\/Gavin Surge 12.14 lbs<\/p>\n

4th Place: Jeff Siegfried\/Al Arnot 11.20 lbs<\/p>\n

5th Place: Lance Wren\/Brian Masi 10.46 lbs<\/p>\n

6th Place:. Matt Fredmonski\/Mark Maros 9.66 lbs<\/p>\n

Also won Lunker Award 4.01 lbs<\/p>\n

7th Place: Kenny Kosloski\/Ron Dopko 9.62 lbs<\/p>\n

8th Place: Chuck Peterman\/Duke 5.50 lbs<\/p>\n

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