Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Archery range opens in Northeast Region

Dallas, Pa. — Pennsylvania Game Commission Northeast Region Director Michael Beahm announced that the first archery range in the northeast region has been completed and is now open to the public.

“The Pennsylvania Game Commission understands that archery is a big part of Pennsylvania tradition, and opening this range in the region was of the highest priority,” said Beahm. “Residents in the region now have a location to properly sight in their archery equipment and enjoy our state’s archery heritage.”

The newly finished range is located in Shohola Township, Pike County, on State Game Land 180 at the intersection of Shohola Falls Road and Grand Army of the Republic Highway.

300 Trees Planted in ANF Project

Warren, Pa.— The U.S. Forest Service planted over 300 tree seedlings along the Irwin Run stream in the Allegheny National Forest on May 21. The trees, funded through the agency’s Plant-A-Tree Program, will improve wildlife habitat, provide shade and reduce soil erosion.

In September 2023, the Forest Service partnered with Trout Unlimited to remove a large culvert from Irwin Run. Removal of the culvert restored the natural streambed improving aquatic organism passage, the stream channel, and floodplain functions.

During the 2023 project, trees were removed to provide access to the stream and regrade the site to reduce erosion. To revegetate the area, multiple tree species were planted along Irwin Run.

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New Manager for Black Moshannon Park

​Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary recently announced the appointment of Mathias Weinzen to serve as the manager for Black Moshannon State Park in Centre County.

After spending time in the U.S. Navy and college, Weinzen joined the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a park manager trainee, before spending two years in the department’s Harrisburg headquarters as a program specialist and two years as the assistant manager at Codorus State Park.

Weinzen holds a degree in recreation, park, and tourism management from Penn State and a graduate degree in recreation, sport, and tourism from the University of Illinois.

Allegheny Celebrated as River of the Year

Pittsburgh — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz honored the Allegheny River as Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year during a celebration for the river at Allegheny RiverTrail Par​k in Aspinwall on June 15.

The Allegheny River is an important part of Pennsylvania’s natural history and beauty, according to Jantz. It starts as a stream in Potter County, meandering through a field of wildflowers before crossing briefly through New York and then through six counties in western Pennsylvania.

The 325-mile river ends in Pittsburgh where it meets the Monongahela River and flows into the Ohio River, providing drinking water to more than one million people.

North Country National Scenic Trail Projects

Bradford, Pa. — The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comments on a proposal to realign two short sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

One section is near Pell Run in Sheffield Township, Warren County. The other section is near Williams Brook, traversing the county line in both Mead Township, Warren County, and Corydon Township, McKean County.

The project is driven by efforts to improve visitor experiences and drainage along the trail. Comments on the proposals for these trail realignments should be emailed by July 15 by going to the Forest Service website and clicking on “Comment” in the right bar.

PF&BC Fisheries, Hatcheries Meeting July 9

​Harrisburg —  The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission will conduct a meeting of its Fisheries and Hatcheries Committee at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 9. This meeting will be held online with committee members participating remotely.

Because this meeting is being held in a virtual format, the process for accepting public comment will be different than an in-person gathering. This meeting may be viewed remotely by joining the webinar from your internet browser using this link.

If prompted, please enter the following information: Webinar number (access code): 2632 182 4241 … Webinar password: public (782542 from phones).