Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Whitewater release into Tohickon Creek for annual boating event in Bucks County

Upper Black Eddy, Pa. — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will release water from Lake Nockamixon into Tohickon Creek on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, creating prime whitewater conditions for boaters in Bucks County. This highly anticipated event draws kayakers, canoeists and rafters from across the northeast to experience the Class 3 and 4 rapids.

The water release will begin at 4 a.m., with peak whitewater conditions forming several hours later at Ralph Stover State Park. Boaters and spectators can enjoy the best viewing and paddling conditions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.

Held twice a year – typically on the third weekend in March and the first weekend in November – these controlled releases from the Nockamixon State Park dam provide whitewater opportunities.

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Bill to Allow Hunting on More Sundays is Introduced in Senate

Harrisburg — Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, introduced Senate Bill 67 March 1 to repeal Pennsylvania’s prohibition on Sunday hunting, transferring authority over wildlife management decisions to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has offered support of his bill.

A similar bill Laughlin introduced passed the full Senate in 2024 but expired before the House brought it to a full vote. Since 2019 the Legislature only approved of three Sundays to be used for hunting. They are allocated by the game commission in archery black bear season, archery deer season and the last one in rifle deer season.

Hall at Nolde Forest Center Upgraded

Reading, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently celebrated the completion of a $436,000 renovation of C.H. McConnell Environmental Education Hall at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.

This investment is part of the Shapiro administration’s broader commitment to modernizing state parks and forests, with $120 million in infrastructure improvements completed since January 2023.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget builds on this momentum with $5 million in new funding to expand and improve state parks across Pennsylvania. This includes establishing the commonwealth’s 125th state park at Laurel Caverns in Fayette County – the first subterranean state park – highlighting the stunning natural beauty of the caverns and further boosting tourism.

New Manager for French Creek Park Complex

Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced the appointment of Kate Gundersen- Thorpe as the new park operations manager for the French Creek State Park Complex, which includes French Creek and Marsh Creek state parks in Berks and Chester counties.

Gundersen-Thorpe previously managed the Neshaminy State Park Complex in Bucks and Philadelphia counties and has held multiple roles within DCNR. She began as a ranger trainee and later served as a ranger at Ridley Creek State Park before becoming an assistant manager at Promised Land State Park.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation from Juniata College and a master’s degree from Slippery Rock University.

Former French Creek State Park Complex Manager James Wassell has transitioned to a new leadership role overseeing the Susquehanna to Schuylkill Division of State Parks.

Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Harrisburg — Nominations are now being accepted for the Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in managing soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present $10,000 Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states, including Pennsylvania.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land.

The nomination deadline date is Aug. 1. For more information on the award, visit https://bit.ly/4gUC23Q.

New PGC Bureau Directors Working in Roles

Harrisburg —The Pennsylvania Game Commission filled two important vacancies in recent months with the hiring of two new bureau directors.

Timothy Haydt, who had worked as chief of the agency’s Oil, Gas and Minerals Division, was promoted to director of the Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management, and Eric Allen, who came to the commission from the state Department of General Services, is now serving as director of the Bureau of Administration.

Haydt and Allen both began in their new roles in November.

Forest Owners Should Plan for Gypsy Moth

Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is urging Pennsylvania’s forest landowners and woodlot owners to start planning now for gypsy moth treatment this spring to protect their trees from severe damage.

Spongy moths are a major threat to Pennsylvania’s forests, having killed millions of oak and other tree species. For the past three years, populations have reached outbreak levels, leading to widespread defoliation.

DCNR provides a list of aerial applicators, a suppression guide and expert foresters in each county at https://bit.ly/4h0Mua2 to assist landowners in planning treatment.