What's killing Pennsylvania's trees and how DCNR’s fighting it

What's killing Pennsylvania's trees and how DCNR’s fighting it

The more time I’ve spent outdoors, the more I’ve learned about the threats our trees face here in Pennsylvania. It seems like every other day I’m finding out about a new disease or invasive plant or insect that’s come to our shores and is devastating our trees.  It’s sad to see our forests choked by kudzu vines. To see our trees impacted by the emerald ash borer, spongy moth and hemlock woolly adelgid. To see the once mighty American Chestnut tree wiped out by blight.  And lets not forget about other issues like over foresting, wildfires and climate change. All taking a bite from our forests. One tree at a time.  We will never have the forests that our ancestors would have seen. Old growth trees are limited to a few areas in the Commonwealth. And development has sliced most of our forests into bite-sized pieces.  But that doesn’t mean we just give up. No way.  A dedicated group of scientists and foresters are working to address these issues, protect our forests and stay ahead of the future threats that may try to take even more trees from our landscape.   They are testing out new methods and processes that could save the trees that we have and, hopefully, prevent more species from being taken from us. But it’s not easy work. They are constantly having to adapt to new threats present in an ever-connected world.  It’s incredibly important work. Anyone who cares for the outdoors – whether you’re a hunter or a hiker – needs to know about what each of us can do to address these threats on our property and help these scientists protect our forests.  On this episode, I speak with Rosa Yoo. Rosa is a Forest Health Manager with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry.  Be sure to support our 2026 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association [https://www.kta-hike.org/] Purple Lizard Maps [https://www.purplelizard.com/] Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation [https://paparksandforests.org/] Sisters' Sunflowers [https://www.sisterssunflowers.com/] Discover Clarion County [https://discoverclarioncounty.com/] Go Laurel Highlands  [https://www.golaurelhighlands.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110005/support] Visit our website [http://www.hemlockstohellbenders.com/]to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hemlockstohellbenders/] and Meta [https://www.facebook.com/hemlockstohellbenders]to stay connected.  Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

Little Buffalo State Park - Activities, events and history bring visitors year-round to Perry County

Little Buffalo State Park is the place that kicked off my love for Pennsylvania’s state parks. I’ve told this story many times, but I’ll do it quickly here right now.  In 2020, my wife Abby and I were looking for something to do after brunch. The world was beginning to open up during the COVID 19 pandemic and we didn’t want to spend any more time cooped up in our house.  So, we went for a drive through Perry County and happened upon Little Buffalo State Park. On this beautiful day we were treated to majestic scenery. The trees and mountains reflecting off Holman Lake.  In a time of such uncertainty, it felt like heaven. Like – for a moment – we were the only ones being treated to this spectacular nature. My unexpected visit to Little Buffalo that afternoon would lead me onto my journey where I would run a mile in all 121 state parks in Pennsylvania in 2021.  And after 224 days, the last park in that journey was Little Buffalo. It was only fitting. That #121In21 Challenge led me to volunteering for outdoor organizations, serving on boards and committees, speaking to groups, starting this podcast and advocating for public lands. It all started with Little Buffalo State Park.  We’ll be going deep into the park on this episode - from its historic buildings and hiking opportunities, to its yearly events and popular community pool.  On this episode, I speak with Jim Eckert and Mindy Wilt. Jim is the manager and Mindy is the educator at Little Buffalo State Park.  Be sure to support our 2026 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association [https://www.kta-hike.org/] Purple Lizard Maps [https://www.purplelizard.com/] Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation [https://paparksandforests.org/] Sisters' Sunflowers [https://www.sisterssunflowers.com/] Discover Clarion County [https://discoverclarioncounty.com/] Go Laurel Highlands  [https://www.golaurelhighlands.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110005/support] Visit our website [http://www.hemlockstohellbenders.com/]to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hemlockstohellbenders/] and Meta [https://www.facebook.com/hemlockstohellbenders]to stay connected.  Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

Appreciating the sound of silence with Quiet Parks International

What does it mean for a place to be truly quiet? It’s a question I’ve been pondering over the last several months following a webinar from the Keystone Trails Association and Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.  They had a discussion with Quiet Parks International [https://www.quietparks.org/] – a nonprofit committed to saving quiet for the benefit of all life. Saving the quiet. What does that mean?  Quiet’s not something I’ve ever thought much about. Growing up with my loud family, noisy traffic, ringing cell phones and roaring air conditioning, quiet was never an option.  But, I’ve certainly experienced quiet on hiking trails. Right? Wrong. There’s always some sort of noise. If it’s not airplanes above or nearby cars and trucks, it’s a speaker from a selfish hiker or the hum of a factory or data center.  Man, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced real quiet. But what does it matter? How bad can a little noise be. Actually, it can be really bad.  It can lead to hearing loss, stress, anxiety, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular damage and more. But not only does noise affect us, it can affect the wildlife around us. Noise can disrupt wildlife behavior, migration patterns and communication.  So what can we do and where can we go to experience quiet? Is it even possible?  That’s what this episode’s guest is trying to find out.  On this episode, I speak with Matthew Mikkelsen. Matt is an award-winning sound designer, field recordist, filmmaker, conservationist and chairperson for Quiet Parks International’s Board of Directors.  Be sure to support our 2026 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association [https://www.kta-hike.org/] Purple Lizard Maps [https://www.purplelizard.com/] Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation [https://paparksandforests.org/] Sisters' Sunflowers [https://www.sisterssunflowers.com/] Discover Clarion County [https://discoverclarioncounty.com/] Go Laurel Highlands  [https://www.golaurelhighlands.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110005/support] Visit our website [http://www.hemlockstohellbenders.com/]to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hemlockstohellbenders/] and Meta [https://www.facebook.com/hemlockstohellbenders]to stay connected.  Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

The arduous task of creating a trail from scratch with Appalachian Dirt

There’s a lot of thoughts that float through our minds when we’re out on the trails hiking. Am I in the right career? Is that snake poisonous? Look at that beautiful view! Did I leave the oven on? I need a bathroom, quick!  Whatever we’re thinking about – whether it’s the joy we feel on a hike or working through some of our problems – it tends to center on ourselves. Our problems. Our joy. Our experience. Our views.  The very thing below our feet – the trail – tends to be forgotten almost entirely. Little if any attention is paid to the magnificent pathway under our boots that’s allowing us to have these thoughts and experiences.  We don’t think about how it was built, who built it, when it was built or who paid for it. The trail is there, so we hike it. The end. But, that’s nowhere near the end.  The story of any trail is fascinating. From conception to completion it takes years even decades to finish. First, comes the idea - typically from a dedicated group of Pennsylvanians that want a trail in their community. That idea is followed by countless public hearings, community discussions and planning meetings. All the while they’re working to get approvals from everyone from the railroad to the bureau of forests.  It’s a long, long process. And expensive. Groups spend years trying to raise money through donations and grants. And even if the money is raised and the approvals are given, then you gotta build the bloody thing. It’s honestly amazing that we even have trails. The amount of work it takes for everyone – from the organizing group to the hands-on builder – is spectacular. It’s mind boggling.  So much so, that I wanted to learn how trails are built here in Pennsylvania. How does one shape an unbroken forest into a beautiful trail? How long does it take? How much does it cost?  Luckily, I got to see first-hand how natural surface trails are made as a member of the PA Trails Advisory Committee. I met this episode’s guest riding a machine, cutting a brand new trail in Rothrock State Forest. It was an experience that reshaped my thinking on trails and made me appreciate how much work goes into the trails we hike. On this episode, I speak with Zachary Adams. Zach is the founder of Appalachian Dirt [https://appalachiandirt.com/].  Be sure to support our 2026 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association [https://www.kta-hike.org/] Purple Lizard Maps [https://www.purplelizard.com/] Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation [https://paparksandforests.org/] Sisters' Sunflowers [https://www.sisterssunflowers.com/] Discover Clarion County [https://discoverclarioncounty.com/] Go Laurel Highlands  [https://www.golaurelhighlands.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110005/support] Visit our website [http://www.hemlockstohellbenders.com/]to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hemlockstohellbenders/] and Meta [https://www.facebook.com/hemlockstohellbenders]to stay connected.  Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

Upper Pine Bottom State Park - Don't blink or you'll miss it

Driving down Route 44 from Lycoming County to Montgomery County, you may be able to spot a brief break in the trees and rhododendrons. It’s so quick that if you blink, you’ll miss it.  But if you slow down, you’ll see that it’s one of the smallest state parks in all of Pennsylvania. As you pull into the gravel parking lot, you’ll notice a few things. You’ll see a couple picnic tables, a few signs and a quiet stream. Look all the way to the left and then all the way to the right. That’s it. That is Upper Pine Bottom State Park. When I first visited the park in 2021, while I was running a mile in all then 121 state parks, a park ranger at Little Pine State Park asked if I was visiting Upper Pine Bottom next. “You’re going to run a mile at Upper Pine Bottom?” he asked with a smile. I answered, “Yeah, why?” And he just laughed and said “good luck.” When I got to the park a few minutes later, I got the joke. This park is tiny. Not small. Tiny. A gentleman was fishing when I first arrived to run my mile. As it was 90-plus degrees, I took off my shirt and started running laps in the small parking lot to get my necessary mile.  The older man, seeing some crazy un-shirted man jogging laps, just packed up his gear and left. Leaving with a story he may still be telling to this day. I know I do. So, why do an episode on this park if it’s so small. Because I firmly believe that all of our state parks matter. They may not all be great. But they all matter. Also, what better park to feature for our April Fools episode. I wanted to make this episode as short as the park is small. On this episode, I speak with Haley Redmond. Haley is the manager of the Little Pine State Park Complex.   Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association [https://www.kta-hike.org/] Purple Lizard Maps [https://www.purplelizard.com/] Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation [https://paparksandforests.org/] Sisters' Sunflowers [https://www.sisterssunflowers.com/] Discover Clarion County [https://discoverclarioncounty.com/] Go Laurel Highlands  [https://www.golaurelhighlands.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110005/support] Visit our website [http://www.hemlockstohellbenders.com/]to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hemlockstohellbenders/] and Meta [https://www.facebook.com/hemlockstohellbenders]to stay connected.  Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis