Think Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

“Being outdoors is a part of our story, part of our essence. And so we don't want to abandon or forget about those who are growing older, and they just need a little help and support in connecting them to these benefits.”

Our host, Marci Mowery, welcomes Nicole Faraguna, Director of the Office of Planning and Policy at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, to discuss both the personal and societal impacts of outdoor engagement for seniors. Nicole draws from her own experience visiting her father-in-law in a nursing home, observing how time spent...

“For me, coming to the Pennsylvania State Parks has been a way to really disconnect from the stress of the world and the stress of our individual lives and just enjoy nature. And it has such a healing effect.”

Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with Cindy and Polly, whose Pennsylvania State Parks journey began in 2018 at Gifford Pinchot, where a passport sparked a family tradition that would grow from four campers to over twenty participants.

As self-described "box checkers," the sisters established personal rules, such as photographing every sign and genuinely experiencing each location through hiki...

“Supporting local businesses not only enhances your experience, but also supports that community, and oftentimes those community businesses are very supportive of the park and forest.”

Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with Jessica Myers, whose quest to visit all 124 Pennsylvania state parks and 20 forest districts began unexpectedly in 2017.

After moving from DC and adopting a dog, she discovered the Parks Passport at Cowans Gap, which launched a six-year adventure that would become transformative for both her and her canine companion!

Jessica strategically planned visits during off-season months, avoiding crowds that triggered her dog's anxi...

“Every park I go to is an adventure.”

Charlie Hutler's journey began with a single visit to Promised Land State Park. Right there, at Pickerel Point’s campground, he caught the park bug! By 2021, via the See ‘Em All challenge, Charlie had visited all 124 state parks and 20 forest districts. He shares his treks on his YouTube channel, "PA Parks Man".

Our host, Marci Mowery, sits down with Charlie to learn about the method to his madness. Rather than treating visits as isolated destinations, he planned them as loops, weaving parks into broader adventures that included historic...

“It's amazing... when you get together with people at a campground or a park, there’s no barriers to participation. Everybody just enjoys being out and about.”

Joe Brosky's retirement began with a discovery that would reshape his next five years: a Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation passport he picked up at the Laurel Hill State Park's gift shop. Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with him in this episode of Think Outside.

This chance encounter at the beginning of June 2018 launched Joe and his wife Donna on a quest to visit all 124 state parks and 20 forest...

“What are we doing today so that a century from now, people look back and say, ‘Thank goodness Marci was there to do this, or Secretary Dunn was there to do that.’ You can have that kind of impact if you’re really committed to the work.”

Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with Dr. Silas Chamberlin in this episode of Think Outside. Dr. Silas Chamberlin's career trajectory, from Academic Historian to York County's Chief Economic Development Officer, embodies Pennsylvania's evolving understanding of outdoor recreation.

No longer viewed merely as leisure, trails and parks are now recognized...

"Every little bit makes a difference. And do not assume that someone else is going to continue to take care of it."

Pennsylvania Healthy Lands Week, running from National Public Lands Day through Walk in Penn's Woods each fall, represents a growing coalition effort to transform how Pennsylvanians engage with their natural and cultural heritage. The initiative, now in its fourth year, extends beyond traditional conservation to embrace diverse forms of stewardship that range from cemetery preservation to social media advocacy.

Our host, Marci Mowery, sits down with Amy Hill of Hill Communications Strategies, who...

"We want to be native to somewhere, and I think park space and outdoor space grounds us and makes us native to the places that we call home and recognize that we occupy place in space, and we are part of that redemption story, and part of that reconciliation story of people to that place.”

Pennsylvania's latest Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and Pennsylvania Trail Network Strategic Plan 2025-2029 reveal how the Commonwealth is adapting its 14,000 miles of trails and recreation spaces to serve evolving community needs while confronting climate realities. Our host, Marci Mowery, sits do...

“I just really like attracting other people to get outside. That’s kind of my goal right now, is to get as many people outdoors as possible.”

Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with two Pennsylvania hikers turned social media influencers, OneEyeWanderz and TheDapperHiker, who are reshaping how people discover the state's outdoor spaces through authentic storytelling and hard-won experience.

Dapper began hiking after losing 150 pounds starting in 2022. His first backpacking trip to Quehanna State Forest (a rain-soaked, 26-mile ordeal where hypothermia threatened) paradoxically hooked him on wilderness exploration. The trail name came when OneEye spotted him gr...

“There are families that have been coming here for five generations, and occasionally all five are here. And that's pretty amazing.”

Our host, Marci Mowery, is joined by Environmental Education Specialist Jane Swift, who shares why World's End State Park has captivated visitors for 93 years in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains region.

Controversy sparked the park's beginning when geologists in 1932 wanted to name it after the S-shaped whirlpool in Loyalsock Creek, but locals insisted on "World's End." A discovered 1940s map proved them right. Today, this Sullivan County gem offers adventures around every trail curve with seven scen...

"Some say that the best thing about this park is that there is no cell signal. If you need to disconnect from the world, from the electronic world, you can do that here."

Our host, Marci Mowery, sits down with Park Manager Mike Crowley as he reveals why RB Winter State Park remains a cherished destination for families seeking authentic outdoor experiences in Pennsylvania's wilderness.

Nestled within 200,000 acres of Bald Eagle Forest, this 695-acre park offers a unique blend of history and nature. Built by CCC workers in 1933, it features Pennsylvania's first stone and concrete...

“There's a lot of days where I kind of have to pinch myself and realize, ‘Oh, I'm out hiking a trail that somebody probably took off work to go hike, but I get to do it and get paid.’”

From boat patrols to timber theft investigations, DCNR Rangers Sam and Dani chat with our host Marci Mowery about the diverse and demanding world of protecting Pennsylvania's parks and forests and their visitors.

With over 30 years of combined experience, these stewards balance multiple roles—educator, law enforcement officer, conservationist, and much more. Whether it's helping lost hikers fin...

“You can't help but be changed by being involved in this program, whether it's through training, working with other people, interpersonal skills, leadership, all those types of things, problem solving, [etc.]"

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps continues to shape the next generation of conservation leaders through hands-on work, meaningful mentorship, and powerful partnerships.

Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with program director Mike Piaskowski, who shares how this youth and young adult initiative has grown from a small pilot to a workforce pipeline that reaches across parks, forests, and community spaces throughout the Co...

Tucked into the mountains of south-central Pennsylvania, Prince Gallitzin State Park is a scenic haven where lake recreation meets forest solitude. Our host, Marci Mowery, is joined by Park Manager Jess Lavelua, who paints a vivid picture of this 6,000-acre park anchored by Glendale Lake and its 1,600 acres of water.

Whether you’re casting a line from a kayak, relaxing in a modern cabin with lake views, or attending one of the Friends Group’s massive fall events, Prince Gallitzin has something for everyone.

There are 35 miles of underutilized trails, a thriving Friends group that powe...

From primitive campsites deep in the woods to full-hookup RV spots and cozy yurts, Pennsylvania offers a wide spectrum of overnight options for every outdoor adventurer!

Joined by our host Marci Mowery to discuss these camping and lodging options are Matt Crosbie, Non-motorized Recreation Specialist at the Bureau of Forestry, and Beth Grove, Park Operations Manager at the Bureau of State Parks.

Matt breaks down the rustic side: 2.2 million acres of state forest provide opportunities for backpackers, roadside campers, and water trail explorers. Minimal amenities mean packing in—and out—is essential, but the payoff is s...

“It’s embracing the solitude of the forest that I think brings the most amount of reward to people.”

Nestled in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains, Loyalsock State Forest spans 115,000 acres across Sullivan, Bradford, and Lycoming counties. Our host, Marci Mowery, talks with District Forester Rich Glinski, who calls Loyalsock “rugged, pristine, and beautiful”—an apt summary for a forest full of remote waterfalls, cliff overlooks, and legacy trails like the 59-mile Loyalsock Trail and the historic Old Loggers Path.

Named 2025’s Forest of the Year, Loyalsock is more than scenic; it's a dynamic landscape balancing recreation with energy de...

Pennsylvania is home to one of the most accessible state park systems in the nation. With 124 parks—and a 125th on the way—the state offers free admission and parking, a rarity in the U.S. This isn’t just policy; it’s principle. Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with the Director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, John Hallas, who states, these parks are 'democratizing spaces,' open to all, regardless of income or background.

Each park reflects the state's natural and cultural diversity, from the historic battlegrounds of Valley Forge to the quiet trails of Boyd...

“Starting and ending can depend on where your journey begins”

Stretching just over 70 miles, the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail winds through four Pennsylvania counties, crossing ridgelines, game lands, and private forests. Starting in Ohiopyle State Park, the trail climbs north through Somerset, Westmoreland, and Cambria, offering dramatic views, deep solitude, and hard-won miles. Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with Division Manager Mike Mumau about this beautiful area.

It's not easy terrain—steep, rocky, and carved from the Appalachian Plateau—but that's part of the draw. As Mike puts it, the trail offers somethin...

Nestled in Tioga County between Mansfield and Wellsboro, Hills Creek State Park offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by farmland. Unlike other regional parks, it’s bordered by private land, giving it a quiet, remote feel—yet it's conveniently close to town. Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with Division Manager Ben Stone about this beautiful area.

A key feature is its 137-acre warm-water lake, great for year-round fishing, especially bass and panfish. In winter, it’s one of the first to freeze, with over a foot of ice this past season. For ice safety, 4 inches of clear ice is ide...

Presque Isle State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s most visited and ecologically diverse parks—an ever-changing landscape shaped by wind, water, and time.

Today our host Marci Mowery chats with Matt Greene, Park Manager of Presque Isle and nearby Erie Bluffs, to explore what makes this peninsula on Lake Erie so unique.

Presque Isle (meaning “almost island” in French) is home to a rare Great Lakes ecosystem, with more threatened and endangered species than any other similarly sized area in the state. With seven and a half miles of sandy shoreline, it offers not only gua...

What do a legacy of conservation, a changing climate, and your own backyard have in common?

As it turns out—everything. Our host, Marci Mowery is joined by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn to discuss how public lands, local stewardship, and the wisdom of the past are shaping a greener future.

Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests weren’t always the thriving natural havens they are today. In the late 1800s, widespread deforestation and environmental degradation inspired early conservationists like Joseph T. Rothrock and Mira Lloyd Dock to push f...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Think Outside! Marci Mowery and Pam Metzger kick things off with an introduction to the podcast and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF). They also reflect on some of their favorite outdoor adventures!

In Pennsylvania, the outdoors offer more than recreation—they offer renewal. Whether through hiking, cycling, photography, or simply sitting quietly under a tree, Marci and Pam believe that time spent in nature is a boon to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

While the mission of the Foundation is to inspire stewardship of state parks an...

Welcome to Think Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation!

Think Outside is your guide to outdoor opportunities, nature exploration, and wellness. Discover expert tips, inspiring stories, and new ways to connect with the great outdoors for a healthier, happier life.

🎧 Listen to the Think Outside Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite app while on the go! New episodes drop bi-weekly on Mondays, and you may occasionally find a bonus episode, as well!

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation inspires stewardship of YOUR state parks and forests through volunteerism, education, recreation, and...