I don't just hike trails, I build them
submitted by:

Carl

I don't just live here, I help plan here

submitted by:

Carol

I don't just buy the right wood, I save forests
submitted by:

Marci

I don't just plant trees, I clean the air

submitted by:

Norm

I don't just ride, I combat global warming

submitted by:

Dave

I don't just grow flowers, I create habitat

submitted by:

Debbie

I don’t just take walks, I create a naturalist
submitted by:

Sarah

I don't just like open spaces, I demand them

submitted by:

Dana

I don't just drink water, I paddle it

submitted by:

Tony

I don't just change lightbulbs, I change the world

submitted by:

Kyle

I don't just watch rain, I catch it

submitted by:

Montrell

I don't just recycle, I conserve
submitted by:

Taleeya
I don't just hike trails, I build them
Name:  Carl
Hometown:  Susquehanna Township
Carl
Why I conserve:
We can see that in early times, when our Commonwealth was being populated, we had the communities surrounded by wilderness, and now we have the wilderness being surrounded by built up areas. But all is not lost – those areas such as stream bottoms and ridge lines are usually not suitable for development and that is where I concentrate by promoting foot trails, trails that complement the Greenways and Trails program and help conserve these corridors for the future.
What I do to "take conservation personally":
With nine years in the Infantry and day hiking for many years I have this inner drive to get out on the trail. In 1990 I pledged to give 10 years of volunteer time in building and maintaining foot trails, but something happened along the way which I can’t explain; I’m still at it – I just can’t quit. And this is common to all I associate with out on the trail. And now, as President of the Standing Stone Trail Club, a club that maintains a 72-mile foot trail connecting the Tuscarora to the MidState Trail, I’m able to put into action what I profess in preserving our foot trails for posterity. We are developing a Master Plan, trail maintenance schedule, continuing training and education of our members and the like. Our goal is to become the premier foot trail in Pennsylvania, and I think we will make it. Beyond the trail, I am an Ambassador for the American Hiking Society and I promote both the goals of the organization and attempt to engender interest in hiking/backpacking/trail care in the general public. The AHS is the organization that interfaces with the Federal Government in Washington and has been quite successful in developing funding and a favorable relationship with the national Congress.
My best conservation tip or advice:
Foot trails exist only because there are volunteers who give of their time and treasure to build and maintain them. I would suggest that if you are interested in the outdoors, locate a trail club and join. They will guide you to a more efficient use of your free time concerning trail care and usually provide a fine outdoor program that joins people with like interests together; just a good group to be with.
My favorite Pennsylvania outdoor place or activity:
I am a hiker. I like to be out in the woods. With 18 State Forest Trails and so many others, there are just a lot of good places to hike. I have to add that all these foot trails are maintained by volunteers. But also, it is quite gratifying to break a sweat with a Pulaski or brushwhacker clearing trail. I think I might enjoy the fellowship of trailcares more than hiking and this probably true for a lot of trails people.

PA iCons
These 12 individuals were chosen to represent the many ways people can get involved in conservation. From the young to the seasoned, each has found a reason and a way to contribute. They are real people making a difference in small ways and in big ways. Click on their pictures to learn more about why they conserve, then visit our Be a PA iCon page to submit your own profile.
  

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