16371.qxd:PPFFFall 09 Nwsltr.qxd 11/25/09 10:13 AM Page 1 Penn’sPenn’s StewardsStewards News from the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation • Fall/Winter 2009 Transcending Generations: The Call of Conservation Work By Brook Lenker, DCNR’s Manager of Education and Outreach Blessed is the man who has some congenial work, some occupation in which he can put his heart, and which affords a complete outlet to all the forces there are in him. Black Moshannon State Park John Burroughs Marci Mowery Conservation is more than just a cause. of Ray Azzato, a former regional park manager In This Issue For the fortunate few, it is an occupation that known as “Mr. A” throughout his career. rivals almost any other in terms of its Aaron grew up in Pennsylvania State Parks. PG: 1 Transcending Generations monumental importance to society. The great Her father was the first resident engineer at PG: 2 President’s Message naturalist, Aldo Leopold, simply called it the George B Stevenson Dam (Sinnemahoning PG: 3 National Parks “a state of harmony between men and land,” State Park) in 1955. From there, his career PG: 4 Great PA Outdoor but for those who work in the field, figuratively took them to Pymatuning State Park, and Challenge and literally, it is a deeper and more complex eventually back to Emporium in 1972, where relationship. Whatever the specific role or he remained until his retirement in 1988. PG: 5 Community Partnerships title, conservation as a profession often comes “I have so many great memories and stories… Award Nominations naturally to those who choose it. It is a fiery hiking in the woods, picnicking, swimming, PG: 6 Friends of Nolde Forest passion. Some say it’s in their blood. There boating, and building mud pies, to name a PG: 7 New Corporate Member may be a vein of truth in that statement. few,” Aaron said. “To experience the great PG: 8 Sledding! Throughout the ranks of Pennsylvania’s outdoors first hand as a child is, in my Department of Conservation and Natural opinion, the foundation of goodness, and PG: 9 Budget Battle Resources can be found “legacy” employees – something that I will always treasure and Elk Country children of current or former staff carrying on continue to reflect upon throughout life.” PG: 10 CCC Reflections a tradition of caring for our public continued on page 3 PG: 11 Pennsylvania State Park lands. In some cases, the legacy System Ranked #1 reaches down multiple branches Upcoming Events of a family tree, and, whether it is attributed to nature or nurture, She Contact us: an invisible spark packed with knowledge and conviction jumps PA Parks & Forests Foundation from generation to generation. 105 N. Front Street, #305 Case in point: Maria Aaron is a Harrisburg, PA 17101 Father and human resource assistant at the (717) 236-7644 daughter team: Bureau of State Park’s regional Chris Reese and www.PaParksAndForests.org office in Emporium and the daughter Rachel Wagoner. 16371.qxd:PPFFFall 09 Nwsltr.qxd 11/25/09 10:13 AM Page 2 President’s Message Marci Mowery As I write this, I’m watching the red leaves and forest system. If you belong of a maple dance in front of my window. I enjoy to a community, conservation, civic, autumn, the cold nights and crisp mornings, church or other group, and would like to the lighting as the sun begins to set, and schedule this program, contact me, and I preparations by wildlife for the winter ahead. would be happy to visit. Last night, we watched the most amazing As you read this issue of Penn Stewards, sunset as we harvested the last peppers from I hope that you are inspired by the story of a Board of Directors: the garden—the sky filled with purples, pinks, passion for our public lands as you read how and magentas as the sun said its farewell. stewardship passed from one generation to the Chair Bruce Heggenstaller Autumn brings longer nights and time next or about the amazing accomplishments V.P. of Operations, Woolrich, Inc. for contemplation. For us at the Foundation, of the Civilian Conservation Corps. I hope Vice Chairman we are looking back over our first decade as that you are encouraged to take a hike, bike, Wendy McLean Partner, Lentz, Cantor & Massey, Ltd. a non-profit organization, while also looking or ski on one of our more than 30,000 miles Secretary ahead to where we hope to go. This year of trails in Pennsylvania, or perhaps take a Brian J. Clark proved to be a challenging one for parks and child sledding when winter arrives (although Buchanan, Ingersol & Rooney forests, with pressures on multiple fronts— I think it already did in some parts of PA)! Treasurer Robert Griffith drilling, funding, programs. The need for I hope that your Lorax voice becomes Executive Director, PA Recreation and Parks Society volunteers at parks and forests and for people stronger, as your pride in our park and Directors to step up as the voice of parks and forests forest system grows stronger. Hank Barnette is greater now than ever before. Like the In the season of gratitude, I wish to express Skadden Arps Dr. Suess character, the Lorax, we need to my sincere appreciation to the board of Richard Carlson Retired, DCNR speak for the trees (and land, and water), directors of their Foundation for the commitment Peter S. Duncan as they cannot speak for themselves. and time to assisting the organization over Former Secretary, PA DER The Foundation, through grants from this past decade. I want to applaud the staff William C. Forrey the William Penn Foundation and the Heinz and contractors for the Foundation for their Arora & Associates, PC Endowment, will be launching a year-long investment in our mission. I want to thank Representative Michael Hanna PA State House of Representatives, program to raise awareness about the value the staff of the Department of Conservation 76th District of our park and forest system, becoming the and Natural Resources for their hard work, Christopher J. Johnston Lorax for these precious lands. We’ll celebrate particularly in these challenging economic Delta Development Principal - Planning and Economic the fact that the Pennsylvania Park system times. Lastly, I want to thank our dedicated Development won the Gold Medal Award (see related article) volunteers, members and friends for all that William Mifflin as we travel across the state offering a free they do to ensure that we are able to present Executive Director, Philadelphia Hospitality Inc. program on the history of parks and forests the next generation a park and forest system George E. Stark in Pennsylvania. Borrowing a phrase from the of which we can be proud. David Spigelmyer PBS Ken Burns’ series on National Parks, we’ll Yours in the Outdoors, Chesapeake Energy look at Pennsylvania’s Best Idea—a sound park Marci Rob Wonderling President, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Ex-Officio John Quigley Acting Secretary, PA DCNR E-subscribe! Honorary Members Linda McKenna Boxx Get your PPFF newsletter via email. Joseph Ibberson Visit the website at www.paparksandforests.org, John C. Oliver III click on the link to “Subscribe to our Newsletter/E-blast” on the right margin of the homepage and we’ll add you to the mailing list. www.paparksandforests.org Page 2 | Penn’s Stewards 16371.qxd:PPFFFall 09 Nwsltr.qxd 11/25/09 10:13 AM Page 3 Transcending Generations: The Call of Conservation Work continued from front cover She views her fellow state park employees as am genuinely interested in,” Casey said. “He “one big family” – a family for which, like her loves what he does…such passion for one’s father, she is grateful. work rubs off on those around you. One day, Help Tell Rachel Wagoner, a resource manager for I received a notice for a DCNR job, and the Story of the Bureau of State Parks, was raised in and I realized that DCNR was the exact place I Pennsylvania’s around the natural wonders that comprise the wanted to work.” She landed a position as a PA State Park System. “(She) was camping as clerk typist with the Bureau of Facility Design Parks and an infant, backpacking since she was four, and and Construction, a niche that somehow Forests later there was canoeing, rock-climbing, and seemed familiar, comfortable. cross-country skiing - much of it on state park Michael offered his perspective on the Calling all and forest lands,” explained Chris Reese, her job search: “When she told me her next photographers— father and manager of Black Moshannon interview was with Facility Design, I told her we need your photos! State Park. “Saturday afternoon hikes were a that was THE job.” He had worked with Gene PPFF recently thousand times more educational than any Comoss, director of the Bureau of Facility received funding botany lab,” Wagoner said. Dinner table Design and Construction, many years ago on to put together a conversations even addressed weighty topics a project at Presque Isle State Park. “Casey and program promoting like the challenges of balancing recreational the rest of the family took their vacation in awareness about our demands with the carrying capacity of the Erie while I worked at the park,” Michael said. magnificent park and natural resources. When conservation is the “It was a memorable week in one of DCNR’s forest system. We will “family business” as Wagoner refers to it, finest facilities.” And one with lasting impact be putting together a learning cuts both ways. “It has been great on his daughter.