Ricketts Glen State Park Trail voted among top 150 nature walks in U.S.

Jan. 6—A recent poll of 3,000 families across the U.S. reveals the 150 most sought after nature walks to experience — including Ricketts Glen State Park.

In Pennsylvania, Ricketts Glen State Park Trails; Pine Creek Gorge Rail Trail (Pine Creek Rail Trail); and Presque Isle State Park Trails are all included in the top 150.

New Year's Day is a time of renewal and family bonding. Across the country, families come together to share meals, enjoy the outdoors, and partake in celebratory parades, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Among these cherished traditions, nature walks stand out as a refreshing way to start the year with nature's tranquility and beauty.

Sustainable Jungle — sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-living/nature-walks — recently commissioned a survey aimed at discovering the best nature walks to do on New Year's Day.

They surveyed 3,000 families asking them to rate which New Year's Day nature walks across the U.S. they would most like to experience at the start of 2024.

Sustainable Jungle then put together a list of the 150 most sought after nature walks to do on New Year's Day.

The state of Pennsylvania had three nature walks voted among the 150 most popular in the country. These were:

—#83 Ricketts Glen State Park Trails: Known for its stunning waterfalls, Ricketts Glen offers a range of trails. For families, the easier trails near Lake Jean provide a gentle walk with beautiful scenery. The Falls Trail is more challenging but offers views of 22 waterfalls.

—#121 Pine Creek Gorge Rail Trail (Pine Creek Rail Trail): Often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania," this trail offers picturesque views and a flat, easy path, making it perfect for families. The entire trail is over 60 miles, but you can choose shorter sections for a more manageable walk.

—#122 Presque Isle State Park Trails: Located on a peninsula on Lake Erie, this state park offers a variety of easy trails suitable for all ages. The trails meander through diverse habitats, from beaches to forests, providing a unique experience. The park's flat terrain makes it an ideal spot for a leisurely family walk.

"These top 150 nature walks provide a guide for anyone interested in enjoying the beauty of the outdoors while fostering a deeper appreciation for our natural world," says Amber McDaniel of Sustainable Jungle. "By exploring these destinations, we hope to inspire a greater sense of responsibility and stewardship for the environment as we embark on a new year of conservation, renewal and change."

New legislation aims to revitalize

our local outdoor recreation areas

Lawmakers have introduced a bill to improve outdoor recreation facilities at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed areas.

The Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act has been introduced by member of the U.S. House of Representatives. It seeks to better equip the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to meet the increased demand for outdoor recreation access while simultaneously growing the economic footprint of the outdoor industry in communities across the United States.

The LAKES Act would:

—Revitalize local outdoor recreation areas managed by the USACE by ensuring that 80% of fees collected on-site will stay in the community.

—Foster public-private partnerships with nonprofits to boost community engagement.

—Fund infrastructure upgrades for safer and more enjoyable outdoor experiences.

—Drive economic growth for surrounding communities by meeting the demand for increased outdoor recreation through a commitment to conservation and sustainable management.

"The prioritization of public recreation access and the outdoor economy is a win for local communities and sportsmen and sportswomen alike," said Becky Humphries, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. "The LAKES Act is much-needed legislation that will bolster local economies by providing more resources to outdoor recreation through improved public access, climate resiliency, and infrastructure."

In 2022, the outdoor recreation economy generated $1.1 trillion in gross economic output and supported over 5 million jobs across the nation. Activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking thrived and increased their contributions to the overall outdoor recreation economy by 22%.

The LAKES Act aims to address this surge in participation by empowering the USACE to provide more resources to invest in the infrastructure, public access, and climate resilience necessary to sustain continued outdoor recreation on Corps of Engineers-managed land and water.

Agriculture Secretary leads tour of

2024 Farm Show must-see exhibits

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding this week led a tour of must-see exhibits, new events, competitions — and of course, food — to be featured during the 2024 PA Farm Show.

The 2024 Farm Show theme — Connecting Our Communities — celebrates the best of Pennsylvania agriculture and what unites us across geography, identities, and cultures.

"Farm Show is Pennsylvania's State Fair," Redding said. "But it is so much more than exciting competitions, laughs, and great food. It is a chance to connect with the people who feed us and feed our economy every day, producing the goods and materials we rely on to enhance our quality of life, and sustain our environment and communities. It is a chance to learn and a chance to explore what connects us all as Pennsylvanians."

Tour stops included:

—Goat Snuggling with hosts Justin and Lauren Steinmetz of Steinmetz Family Farm in Fleetwood. The Main Hall exhibit offers guests the chance to snuggle up to a fluffy kid, and experience a hot trend in agri-tourism, while supporting a cause. The exhibit is one of a handful that charge a fee during Farm Show, including Fishin' With Friends, and the perennial favorite Carousel. Proceeds from the $5 per person fee for goat snuggling go to the Friends of Farm Show Foundation to support their educational mission.

—So You Want to Be a Farmer with hosts Jen Brodsky, farmer and regenerative food business consultant with True North Collective and Piebird Farm in Ottsville, PA, and Christa Barfield of FarmerJawn, in West Chester and other Southeast PA locations. Christa runs the largest Black-woman owned, regenerative, organic produce farm in the nation. The popular exhibit features activities, experts, and answers for farmers and aspiring farmers, regardless of location, size, or whether you aim to produce food to feed a family, or start a business.

—Pennsylvania Charcuterie Experience with host Chef Kurt Wewer, award-winning chef and consultant with Central PA Chef Consultants. Wewer and representatives of food producer associations highlighted a sampling of the Pennsylvania-grown and made food and beverages that will be featured throughout Farm Show, in the Main Hall Farmers Market to take home, and on the PA Preferred Culinary Connection Stage. Visit the Culinary Connection to sample celebrity recipes prepped by future stars from PA culinary schools, grab a cookbook, and inspire your own PA farm-to-table culinary adventures. Featured products include Pennsylvania wine, cheese, honey, maple, potatoes, and mushrooms.

—PA Apple Growers Apple Wall with host Ellie Vranich of Hollabaugh Brothers Orchards in Biglerville, and the Pennsylvania Apple Board — back by popular demand, the Apple Wall in Main Hall dramatically represents the quality and breadth of Pennsylvania's apple industry.

—New Livestock Fitting Competition with hosts Justin Rosenberger and Caleb Miller of the PA Farm Show Jr. Committee. Our young hosts highlighted the new Fitting Competitions on January 6-7, when teams of three will compete to fluff, dry, groom, and clip their animals to put their best hooves forward for the judges in the show ring.

—Pennsylvania Conservation "Pod" with host Doug Wolfgang, executive secretary of the State Conservation Commission — Doug highlighted what visitors can see and learn about what PA Farmers are doing to protect soil and water resources for tomorrow. The popular rainfall simulator, modified farm equipment, and planted field by an indoor stream in GIANT Expo Hall is a must-see exhibit whether you're a farmer looking for funding or checking out new equipment, a homeowner wanting to learn how to do your part for our environment, or just curious about what's happening on farms across our region.

—The tour ended with a preview of the Farm Show Food Court hosted by PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center Executive Director Sharon Myers.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show draws scores of visitors every January to connect with the people and products who make Pennsylvania agriculture great. The largest indoor agricultural expo in the nation, featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 12,000-plus competitive events and exhibits, nearly 250 commercial exhibits and hundreds of educational and entertaining events, the 2024 show celebrates how agriculture is Connecting Our Communities.

The 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show runs from Saturday, Jan. 6 through Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Admission is free. Parking is $15 per vehicle.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle