State highlights Lyme disease and tick bite prevention best practices

Representatives from the Shapiro Administration’s Departments of Health (DOH), Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and Environmental Protection (DEP) this week visited Memorial Lake State Park in Dauphin County to highlight the importance of residents taking precautions to prevent Lyme disease and tick bites.

“Spending time outdoors is an important way to support health and wellness, but we want to encourage Pennsylvanians to do so as safely as possible,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “It only takes a couple of minutes to reduce your risk of tick bites before you head outdoors and to check for ticks after coming back inside. A few simple steps can make a world of difference in protecting you from Lyme disease.”

Pennsylvania typically ranks in the top 10 in the country for Lyme disease cases per 100,000 residents. Thus far, in 2024, the DOH has recorded 11,263 lab-confirmed cases of Lyme disease. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics. However, if the infection is left untreated, it can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Earlier this year, to better inform Pennsylvanians about tick-borne diseases, the DOH launched a new online dashboard to show where ticks are prevalent and help them prepare to take appropriate precautions while enjoying outdoor activities.

“Taking preventative measures helps people enjoy mental and physical health benefits of being in the outdoors without having to worry, especially with regard to ticks,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “It is critical to be aware of the risks and be prepared when spending time outdoors year-round, whether that is visiting one of our 124 state parks, hiking our more than 2.2 million acres of state forestland, or enjoying one of the more than 6,000 local parks in your own backyard.”

Residents should also take steps to prevent mosquito bites when enjoying Pennsylvania’s great outdoors.

“Ticks and mosquitoes can ruin a great time outdoors, and it is important to take simple, commonsense steps to protect yourselves and your loved ones,” said DEP Deputy Secretary John Ryder. “DEP monitors tick and mosquito populations across Pennsylvania, tracking the prevalence of diseases these insects can carry, and even taking steps to reduce mosquito populations when necessary. A little prevention goes a long way to staying safe from ticks and mosquitoes outdoors.”

Residents can prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus and by wearing long sleeves and pants, especially during peak mosquito activity times, like dusk and dawn.

Ticks aren’t confined to the forests and wooded areas of our Commonwealth, and can be found in urban and rural settings too, usually in shrubs, weeds, leaf litter, and tall grasses - anywhere there is foliage. Taking the proper steps to decrease the chances of getting bitten is important.

Tips for tick bite prevention

When outside, cover exposed skin, wear light colors to help detect ticks, and use insect repellent that is EPA-approved for tick prevention. Before spending time outdoors, spray permethrin on shoes, clothes, and gear.

After being outside, check yourself, your kids, and your pets thoroughly for ticks and remove any attached. Then, shower to help remove any ticks you may have missed. You can also throw your clothes in the dryer using high heat to help kill any remaining ticks.

For more information on Lyme disease, visit the Department of Health’s Tickborne Diseases webpage.

DEP accepting applications for

environmental education projects

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has made nearly $1 million available for projects that will promote environmental education and stewardship across Pennsylvania.

Many of last year’s awardees also supported people in environmental justice communities, communities composed of Pennsylvanians that are more threatened by climate change, air pollution, and water pollution.

DEP’s 2025 Environmental Education Grants Program is accepting applications through Nov. 15, 2024. Up to $1,000,000 worth of grants may be awarded for environmental education projects that engage people about clean water and climate change, especially projects that focus on environmental justice areas. Eligible applicants include schools, colleges, nonprofit community and environmental organizations, county conservation districts, and businesses.

“Environmental Education grants are some of the best ways to teach people about the water they drink and the air they breathe,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “The projects that these grants support strengthen the bonds between people and their environment so they are able to make informed decisions and take responsible actions for their communities. These projects are especially important to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution.”

A free 2025 Environmental Education Grants Program webinar will be held on Oct. 10, 2024, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. DEP staff will provide proposal tips and instructions for completing required application forms. The program will conclude with a Q&A session. Registration by Sept. 30, 2024, is required: 2025 EE Grants Program Webinar Registration.

Projects with a local focus may receive up to $5,000 and regional or statewide initiatives may receive up to $30,000. Projects that engage students and teachers from at least 60 Pennsylvania counties at three levels, local, state, and national, may be awarded up to $65,000.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s website, or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

BACK WOODS BASS RESULTS

Week of Aug. 12

Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River Tournament.

Monday Night River Tournament

(No results reported this week.)

Harveys Lake Wednesday Night Lunker

1st Place: Joe Simko 3.55 lbs

2nd Place: Johnny Niezgoda 3.34 lbs

3rd Place: Justin Kubilus 3.05 lbs

4th Place: Eric Jarnot 3.00 lbs

5th Place: Cody Cutter 2.99 lbs

6th Place: Brian Cutter 2.79 lbs

7th Place: Mike Gillott 2.75 lbs

8th Place: Kenny Kosloski 2.66 lbs

9th Place: Jake Seymour 2.65 lbs

10th Place: Eric Stull 2.53 lbs

Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament

Friday Night Harveys Lake Tournament

1st Place: Kevin & Jake Seymour 11.19 lbs

2nd Place: Johnny Niezgoda/Brad Rinehimmer, 10.15 lbs

3rd Place: Gary & Aaron Hayman 9.62 lbs

4th Place: Jake Rolands/Gavin Surge 9.49 lbs

also won Lunker Award 4.02 lbs

5th Place: Pete Sulla/John Colwell 8.18 lbs

6th Place: Matt Fredmonski & Bruce 8.11 lbs

7th Place: Duane & Dominic Deno 7.85 lbs

8th Place: Travis Trever/Ricky Sciandra 6.75 lbs

9th Place: Randy Ritsick/Chris Stefalo 4.54 lbs

DCNR names new assistant manager

for Promised Land State Park complex

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week announced the appointment of Sara Jade Woodsmith to serve as the assistant manager for the Promised Land State Park Complex in Pike and Wayne counties.

“Sara Jade is a passionate and dedicated leader who is a perfect fit for Promised Land and its satellite parks,” Dunn said. “I am eager to see her grow and thrive in this new role and look forward to seeing her impact at the complex.”

Woodsmith officially began the role in May, assisting operations at the complex, which includes the 444-acre Varden Conservation Area. Promised Land State Park is a nearly 3,000-acre park on the Pocono Plateau and is surrounded by the Delaware State Forest. Promised Land offers fishing and boating in two lakes, rustic cabins, camping, hiking, and more.

“I love our parks and I love seeing people enjoy them, so I am excited for this role and the opportunity to help steward the complex,” Woodsmith said. “This is a really gorgeous area, surrounded by forests, and it is a great place to hike and view nature.”

An avid hiker, birder, and photographer, Woodsmith said she spends some of her free time wandering through the woods capturing images of plants, flowers, insects and birds. She enjoys spending time with her partner, Adam, and cats, Gremlin and Ghost, in her personal time.

Woodsmith is an Epsom, New Hampshire native who earned a biology degree from Eastern University. She attributes her love of nature to a week-long summer camp at Bear Brook State Park near her hometown.

Pa. Game Commission: 2024

turkey sighting survey reports due

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s two-month survey on wild turkey sightings wraps up on Saturday, Aug. 31.

Participants are encouraged to report their sightings from July and August through Wednesday, Sept. 6.

To contribute, visit pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/TurkeyBroodSurvey through the Game Commission’s website.

When reporting, include the number of wild turkeys seen, along with the location, date, and contact information in case agency biologists have follow-up questions. Note that your specific location is kept confidential and is used only to determine the general area of each sighting.

Game Commission Turkey Biologist Mary Jo Casalena said these data help assess turkey productivity across Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) and contribute to long-term tracking of turkey reproductive success across the state, region and country. Factors such as spring weather, habitat conditions, and predation affect turkey productivity.

North Branch Land Trust to host 3rd annual

NEPA Barn Banquet to celebrate local agriculture

North Branch Land Trust will hold its third Annual NEPA Barn Banquet, a dinner event celebrating Pennsylvania’s vibrant agricultural heritage and the Land Trust’s dedication to conserving agricultural lands on Sept. 17.

The NEPA Barn Banquet will offer an unforgettable evening featuring a three-course buffet, expertly designed and prepared by Bank & Vine.

Attendees will also enjoy the opportunity to win a variety of gifts in both a raffle and live auction.

Executive Director Ellen Ferretti said, “This event is more than just a gathering; it reflects North Branch Land Trust’s deep-rooted commitment to preserving working lands that sustain our community.”

Join NBLT in honoring the past, present, and future of Pennsylvania’s agricultural landscape. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nblt.org/events .