In this series we have been talking about the way in which a liberally educated person in the modern West, will automatically, because of their secular education, view certain beliefs as scientific, and others as non-scientific, certain others as biased, while others are seen as neutral. Because of the nature of their college education (which was r…

Send us a text In the early 20th Century, Americans had become alarmed at the disappearing forests in the eastern United States. Whether through private land purchases, deforestation, mining or other activities, the beautiful forests of the east were vanishing. Where once stood primeval forests of giant eastern hemlocks now stood stumps. As a resul…

Send us a text On this – the Halloween episode – of the podcast, we’re going to be exploring the many tales of ghosts, creatures, hauntings, cryptid sightings, unexplained phenomenon, legends and folk tales that have a history in Pennsylvania’s parks and forests. From the ghost sightings at Greenwood Furnace State Park to the Kecksburg UFO incident…

Send us a text Those visiting Hickory Run State Park in the Pocono Mountains should expect to see something they’ve never see before. In the northeast corner of the park, formed by millions of years of glacial movement is the Boulder Field. At 400 feet by 1,800 feet, this vast, rocky landscape is a geological marvel. The field is made up of tightly…

Send us a text There’s just something about mushrooms that so are cool. I can’t really explain it. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, often looking like they belong in a fairy tale or another planet. They transform any landscape with their mysterious, almost magical appearance. They are not plants or animals but belong to a fascinating kin…

Send us a text This episode is sponsored by the Keystone Trails Association. Most people never know how much volunteer work goes into their favorite hiking trail. Countless hours are spent breaking trails, cutting back brush, moving rocks, building steps, preventing water erosion and blazing trails. Then, after the trail is built, even more hours a…

Send us a text For thousands of years, the land that would become Pennsylvania was dominated by dense, ancient forests that stretched as far as the eye could see. Towering trees such as white oaks, chestnuts and hemlocks formed a vast green canopy that covered hundreds of miles. The forests were such an integral part of this landscape that it was n…

Send us a text The vast majority of Pennsylvania’s state parks are easy to drive to. That’s one of the reasons our parks are so accessible to residents and visitors. They’re located on paved roads and can often be found just a few minutes from a highway. But then there are parks that are not so easy to get to. They’re the ones that can only be expl…

Send us a text To list all of the features of Forbes State Forest would be pointless. That’s because it has so much to offer so many people. You want trails, it’s got it. You want overlooks, its got it. You want waterfalls, it’s got it. Forbes State Forest has some of the best land in Pennsylvania for everything from mountain biking and hiking to A…

Send us a text Standing on the shore of Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park, you’d never think the area was the site of massive deforestation, coal mining and gas drilling practices that scarred the landscape for decades. But it is. In the 1800s, farmers cleared the forests and drained the swamps that would one day be Moraine State Park. Materials su…

Send us a text There are few sights I enjoy as much as people having fun in Pennsylvania state parks. Children playing tag and hide-and-go-seek. Adults telling stories around a picnic table. Friends catching up while grilling. And never have I see so many people having such a good time, then on Memorial Day weekend at Beltsville State Park. Upon en…

Send us a text The arrival of fireflies has always represented summer to me. They've meant barbeques. They meant fireworks. They meant being a kid. I’ve heard from so many people about the memories they have connected to lightening bugs. Exploring the woods with grandparents who have long passed. 4th of July parties with their friends. A first kiss…

This was actually recorded before a couple of the most recent podcasts, at a point when I was considering doing uniquely YouTube videos too, of which this was to be one. But given the subject matter it makes sense to include it in this series on the Mind, and the GAP that exists between what we actually know about it versus what our pseudo-intellec…

Send us a text Last year, nearly four million people visited Presque Isle State Park in Erie- making it the most visited state park in Pennsylvania. And anyone whose ever visited this wonderful park understands why. There’s no other park like Presque Isle in the Commonwealth. It is totally unique and incredibly special. But what makes Presque Isle …

Send us a text Spanning 85,000 acres across three Central Pennsylvania counties, Michaux State Forest is a sanctuary of lush woodlands, crystal-clear streams and a rich tapestry of history and wildlife. Considered Pennsylvania’s “cradle of forestry,” Michaux State Forest is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, giving visitors a bevy of settings to…

Send us a text The definition of a garden is a small piece of ground used to grow vegetables, fruit, herbs or flowers. But it’s much more than that. It’s a community meeting place. It’s an outdoor classroom. It’s an organic food market. It’s a sustainable hobby. And it’s a place to make lifelong friendships. Ask anyone whose spent time in a communi…

Send us a text In the soft light of dawn, a lone figure stands by the water's edge, casting a line into the stillness. The morning mist hangs low, obscuring the surface as they patiently wait, listening to the quiet sounds of nature stirring awake. With a steady hand, they feel the tug of a Pennsylvania brook trout beneath the surface. Engaging in …

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Send us a text As Pennsylvanians head outdoors in record numbers, it’s imperative that we all learn how best to protect our environment. From backpackers and hikers to rock climbers and mountain bikers, it’s all our responsibilities to preserve the beauty of our natural spaces in and outside of the Commonwealth. And, there’s no better guide, no bet…

Send us a text On April 8, 2024 Pennsylvanians will have the opportunity to see something special. Something that’s not been seen in our commonwealth since January 1925. – nearly 100 years ago. From about 3:15 to 3:20 the moon will pass between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light. A total solar eclipse. This eclipse will cross 15 states…

Send us a text It’s difficult for me to pick what I like most about Black Moshannon State Park. It’s a struggle I face every time I recommend this wonderful park to friends - which is often. I’ll go from talking about the incredible camping and cabin opportunities to swooning about the park’s lake and bog. Then I get going about the abundance of wi…

Send us a text It’s the spring of 1858. Colonel Edwin Drake from New York is hired by the Seneca Oil Company to investigate suspected oil deposits in Titusville, Pennsylvania. While the existence of petroleum oil was known, there no considerable market for the material. After months of work, Drake had little to show for his efforts. Undeterred, Dra…

Send us a text Whether you’re hiking ancient forests or picnicking in an urban park, birds are all around us. From the common pigeon on a Philly stoop to a bald eagle soaring above the Susquehanna River, the avian world is vast in Pennsylvania. Birding is the observation of birds in their natural habitats. Often seen as a hobby for old fogies, the …

Send us a text When it comes to our parks and forests, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources can only do so much. There’s too much trail maintenance, invasive species removal, education programs and other things that must be done to complete it all That’s where the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation steps in. Sinc…

Send us a text Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania’s coal region, Delaware Canal State Park stands as a testament to the intertwining of history and nature. Stretching almost 59 miles from Easton to Bristol along the Delaware River, this park is made up of a tapestry of landscapes that begs to be explored by foot, bike and boat. You can spend a li…

Send us a text Located in Potter County, Cherry Springs State Park is home to some of the darkest night skies on the East Coast. Astronomers and stargazers from all over the country flock to this small park just to look up at the stars. The darkness of the area and the clarity found in the sky makes Chery Springs perhaps the last best refuge of the…

Send us a text We’re building on the success of our first season with even more great guests and great stories for our second season in 2024. This season we’re going to be hearing from park and forest managers, conservationists, biologists, environmental educators, volunteers and lots more. Experts in their fields will be speaking to us about our p…

Send us a text The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is a gigantic operation. As the largest public landowner in the Commonwealth, DCNR manages millions of acres of land – including 124 state parks and 20 state forests. But it doesn’t end there. DCNR also manages everything on those millions of acres. There’s the buildin…

Send us a text When a hunter enters a forest with their bow or gun, there’s a good chance they won’t get a deer. So, you would expect those few that are able to successful hunt a deer to keep the meat for themselves. To feed their families and fill their freezers with the venison they harvested. But that’s not the case. Every year, hundreds of thou…

This is the second part of our "deep dive" regarding the impossibility of the mind being the brain. In the first part we saw that the supposed "mind/body problem" that "The Story" suggests was the reason for intellectuals leaving behind the religious picture of the world -- a world composed of both material and immaterial things -- turns out in fac…

Send us a text Throughout this season we’ve featured parks on an individual basis. My thinking has been that every park should have its own episode, letting each park shine on its own. But what if there are parks that are so connected to one another that they shouldn’t be separated? That brings us to Tuscarora and Locust Lake State Parks. They are …

Send us a text Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center is not what you would call a bucket list park. It doesn’t have the activities like Ohiopyle, or the waterfalls like Ricketts Glen or the scenic vistas like Leonard Harrison or Colton Point. Those are the parks you have to make reservations months in advance for. They are tourist destinations.…

Send us a text Created in 2007, the Old Growth Forest Network works to identify and protect one forest in each county of the United States. As of the recording of this episode, the Old Growth Forest Network has worked with local, state and federal agencies to identify and protect 28 ancient forests in Pennsylvania with more on the way. They can be …

Send us a text Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote that “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house." I get it, Nate. There’s nothing I look forward to quite as much as fall. It’s sweater weather. It’s apple picking. It’s campfires and smores. It’s pumpkin spiced lattes. And it is, without a doubt, the mos…

Send us a text Every year, the distinctive sound of elk bugling can be heard in the Elk State Forest. That high-pitched sound comes from male elk that bugle during the breeding season to attract potential mates and to establish dominance. It’s the sound of these bugles and the sight of these majestic creatures that brings more than half a million v…

Send us a text “What does it mean to have a diverse outdoors community?” It’s a question outdoor companies, organizations and groups are asking themselves in an effort to make nature more inclusive for people from all backgrounds, genders, abilities and ethnicities. But while they’re trying to find an answer, America’s Black and Brown communities a…

Send us a text We're doing something a little different in this episode of the podcast. Part story, part interview, I’m going to be telling you about my very fun, weird and muddy experience at Allegheny Islands State Park. In 2021, I ran a mile at all (then) 121 Pennsylvania state parks in 224 days. While there were plenty of memorable experiences,…

Send us a text Every year, 3 million people hike the Appalachian National Scenic Trail that spans 14 states and runs more than 2,190 miles. The famed AT is said to be the longest hiking trail in the world. And it’s right here in our backyard. About 230 miles of the AT are in Pennsylvania – including the halfway point at Pine Grove Furnace State Par…

Send us a text When thinking about Pennsylvania's natural beauty, most think of our forests. Miles away from a clear cell phone signal, interstates and, especially, cities. But they shouldn't. There’s natural beauty all over the Commonwealth, including in and around Pennsylvania’s biggest city – Philadelphia. That was my biggest takeaway from readi…

Send us a text Not everyone explores our parks and forests on trails or on the water. Some do it 80-feet above ground attached with only a rope and harness. These Pennsylvanians are in search of rock. They want boulders and outcroppings. They want cliffs and crags. They want places with crimps and sidepulls and pockets and pinches. They want to cli…

Send us a text Every time you go for a hike, hire a rafting guide, purchase a fishing license or rent a cabin, you are participating in outdoor recreation – an industry that brings $14 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy. But, outdoor recreation is more than the things you buy or the activities you participate in. It’s an industry that inclu…

Send us a text In Pennsylvania, it’s hard to throw a pinecone without hitting a hunter or fisherman. There are hundreds of thousands of hunters and fisherman in the Keystone State. But, there's another breed of outdoor sportsmen that are often forgotten about. They hunt their prey not with rods and reels or bows and guns but with traps. On this epi…

Send us a text On this episode, we'll be talking about one man’s journey to climb the tallest tree at the highest point in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. A feat that has never been done and probably never been attempted. I am joined on this podcast by Van Wagner. Van is a teacher, musician and certified forester that is attempting this incredible ch…

Send us a text On this episode, we’re going to be talking about Worlds End State Park. Considered by many as their favorite state park in Pennsylvania, Worlds End State Park is a rugged and beautiful 780-acre park located in Sullivan County. The park is situated in a narrow S-shaped valley of the Loyalsock Creek. It is surrounded by Loyalsock State…

Send us a text It can be so stressful planning the perfect trip to a Pennsylvania state park or forest. You have to figure out transportation, accommodations, food and activities. And snacks! Can't forget the snacks. It is overwhelming. Especially, if you're planning the trip alone. But don't worry, we're here to help. This episode is all about how…

Send us a text On this episode we’re going to be talking about Ohiopyle State Park. Located in the beautiful Laurel Highlands, Ohiopyle State Park is the sort of place you take people you want to impress. The park has something for everybody. It’s got waterfalls, It’s got views. It’s got boundless outdoor activities. And it is set in one of the Com…

Send us a text On this episode, we’re going to be talking about the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the serious threat Chronic Wasting Disease poses to our wildlife. I am joined on this episode by Todd Pride. Todd is a member of Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Board of Commissioners, founder of Legacy Land & Water Partners and lead coach with the M…

Send us a text On this episode, we’re going to be talking about a Pennsylvania icon that goes by many names. Snot otter, lasagna lizard, devil dog, mud devil, Allegheny alligator. That’s right, this episode is all about the Eastern Hellbender. I am joined on this episode by Dr. Peter Petokas. Peter is a research associate with the Clean Water Insti…

Send us a text In honor of President’s Day, this episode is on James Buchanan – our 15th President of the United States and up until recently the only president from Pennsylvania. The first part of the podcast will focus Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park. I speak with DCNR's Beth Garner to learn about what to do, what to see and how best to experien…