There is also an ongoing series of regional trail and greenway training events that we have been supporting in partnership with DCNR and local organizers which for the most part are this fall and into spring 2011.  The 2010 Lehigh Valley Trails Summit is September 30-October 1; the Western PA Trails Symposium is October 23; The Schuylkill River Trail Towns Conference is September 23; the South Mountain Trail Summit is November 3; the Northeastern PA Trails Forum is December 2; the Laurel Highlands Trails Workshop is March 16, 2011; and a "Ca$hing in on Geocaching is November 5, 2010.  Next fall, the statewide PA Greenways and Trails Forum returns as we work to balance the statewide event with the regional ones.  Also, watch for a very strong trails and greenways track at the 2011 Annual PRPS State Conference in Valley Forge.

Other events include the Recreation and Park Leadership Summit on September 15-16; the D-3 Golf Tournament, the PRPS Field Day at the Office, the PTRS Executive Committee Meeting, and the 2011 TRI Planning Meeting all on September 24 (popular day); the PRPS Board of Directors Meeting on 9/21; and several PRPS/DCNR planning meetings dealing with the SCORP and technical assistance projects.  I'm sure there are events that I've missed, but I hope you find something of interest in all that we offer.

In my last message, I talked about the legislative efforts that are ongoing relative to Renew Growing Greener, passage of a severance tax with some dedicated funding for conservation and environmental programs, and the full funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund preferable with a portion dedicated to the stateside of the LWCF program.  These efforts are ongoing, and you will be hearing more from us as we move into the fall.  As opportunities arise, please talk with your legislators about both the state funding and the federal.  Note the importance to specific needs in your community as well as the importance to keep DCNR properly staffed and funded during lean times.

As I hope you have noticed, the main focus for PRPS and our partners at DCNR is to do our very best to provide those of you who are managers of the recreation and parks agencies across the state with the best in financial, technical assistance and educational  support that we can.  This is an ongoing process into which the Recreation and Parks Survey this summer and the Leadership Summit in September fit as we evaluate how we are doing and where we can make progress in the future.  We had over 200 participants complete the survey with excellent feedback on issues and ideas.  This information plus discussion papers will be reviewed and recommendations for actions made at the Leadership Summit in Philadelphia.  The resulting report/action plan will go to DCNR and PRPS to be a major part of the decision making over the next few years.  PRPS members will continue to receive reports at the Fall Membership Meeting and the 2011 Conference and in other forums, and always are welcome to provide input and suggestions. 

I want to thank all of those who completed the survey this summer.  If you did not complete the survey, but have some ideas on future programs that you would like to see PRPS or DCNR offer, send me your suggestion preferably before September 15, and I'll add it to the mix of ideas. 

For the Leadership Summit the focus on participants was to get a broad variety of attendees from a range of public recreation and park settings as well as range of experience with an emphasis on more younger participants plus some persons with conservation interests.  So, we have a mix from around the state, about 100, who will be participating to keep this overall process moving.  I wish we could have included every interested member, but that was not possible for this event, but more opportunities will be available.

On another subject, the PA Bureau of State Parks will be opening the new Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park this fall with a grand opening on Thursday, September 2^nd that I plan to attend.  I've only seen the Inn from the outside, but it looks terrific.  Many people that I know are lining up to make a reservation.  It will open the outdoor park experience to a wide variety of persons who prefer this type of accommodation who otherwise would not make the trip. 

The other facility being opened by the PA Bureau of State Parks this fall will be the new Elk Viewing Center located up in the northcentral part of the state known as the PA Wilds.  There will now be a first class visitor center with all kinds of great information available to facilitate your visit to the Wilds!  Check out both the Nature Inn and the Elk Viewing Center by going to the DCNR website, www.dcnr.state.pa.us.  Maybe I'll see you at one or both this fall.

Bob Griffith