Pennsylvania is a leader in trail development, providing its citizens and visitors with more than 11,000 miles of trails across the commonwealth to enjoy, from gentle pathways threading through miles of preserved greenways, to remote, rugged trails scaling the state’s magnificent mountains.
Each year, the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee designates a Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for both large and small trails, and raise public awareness about the value of Pennsylvania’s trail network.
The 2021 Trail of the Year is the 38-mile long D & H Rail-Trail that extends through Lackawanna, Susquehanna, and Wayne counties and traces the former corridor of the Delaware & Hudson Railway, which primarily carried anthracite coal out of the Lackawanna Valley during the second half of the 19th century. Here is more info on this trail: https://www.traillink.com/trail/dh-rail-trail/
The trail welcomes motorized and non-motorized users, including walkers, bikers, equestrians, as well as snowmobilers. The trail is situated in the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Heritage Region, the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, and the Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape.
NATURE NUGGET: Free resources for back to school from the National Geographic Society. Search the National Geographic Resource Library for high quality, standards-based, educational resources and activities. For more info click here: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/classroom-resources/?utm_source=ngssfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EDU+Monthly+Educator+Newsletter+-+20210831&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.nationalgeographic.org%2feducation%2fclassroom-resources%2f&utm_id=483564
NATURE QUOTE:
“Porcupine Pat” McKinney is environmental education coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District and provides programming for people of all ages with an emphasis on schools, public programming and nature center development. “Porcupine Pat” hails from Marion, Ohio and has a BS with Distinction in Natural Resources – Environmental Interpretation from Ohio State. He is a recipient of the prestigious Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Education from the PA Forestry Association, the Schuylkill Pride Award, and the PAEE “Outstanding Environmental Educator Award.”
