Wolf Administration Encourages Travelers to Enjoy Pennsylvania's Fall Foliage Season

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania's 17 million acres of woodlands soon will be bathed in autumn colors and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Pennsylvania Tourism Office again are teaming up to ensure fall foliage fans know when and where to look.

"With more than 2.5 million acres of state forest and state parklands, as well as private woodlands, all offering an incredible variety of hardwoods, Pennsylvanians truly are blessed with fall foliage viewing opportunities," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. "Our Bureau of Forestry experts tell us recent weather should usher in a banner year."

DCNR again is making key bureau personnel available to the news media to serve as regional experts on fall foliage. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, within the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), recommends experiencing a colorful autumn in a variety of ways and places across the state.

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office encourages visitors to experience the endless ways to experience the autumn beauty in the Keystone State.

"Fall is Pennsylvania's forte. We are home to a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state," said Carrie Fischer Lepore, Deputy Secretary of DCED's Office of Marketing, Tourism, and Film. "Wherever you are, opportunities abound to see the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows dotting the mountains and lining the rivers and roads across the state. The sights, smells and sounds of fall are truly magical."

Boasting a unique blend of outdoor attractions, art and history, Pennsylvania has long been a travel destination year-round, earning special recognition for its fall beauty. Each year, Pennsylvania's nearly 200 million domestic travelers inject an estimated $40.8 billion into Pennsylvania's economy, generate $4.1 billion in tax revenues, and ultimately support more than 310,000 jobs related to travel and tourism.

"There truly is no better state to enjoy autumn than Pennsylvania," said Lepore. "I encourage residents and visitors alike to pursue their happiness in Pennsylvania this fall."

Foliage typically peaks for several weeks near the beginning of October across Pennsylvania. Starting Sept. 21, DCNR will have weekly fall foliage reports on its website at http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/ForestsAndTrees/FallFoliageReports/Pages/default.aspx.

Visitors can get suggestions about the best spots to view fall foliage on the DCNR Penn's Woods Fall Foliage story map at http://maps.dcnr.pa.gov/storymaps/fallfoliage/# as well as on the Pennsylvania Tourism Office website at https://visitpa.com/articles/best-fall-foliage-pennsylvania.

When contacted by the media, regional Bureau of Forestry experts can discuss the chemistry of fall foliage color, as well as the projected outlook for fall foliage in their region of Pennsylvania. They are:

Northeast Pennsylvania
Tim Latz, forester: Pinchot Forest District, Dalton

Northwest Pennsylvania
Cecile Stelter, district forester: Cornplanter State Forest District, Warren

Southeast Pennsylvania
Rick Hartlieb, assistant district forester: William Penn State Forest District, Elverson

Southcentral Pennsylvania
Ryan Reed, environmental education specialist: Harrisburg

Southwest Pennsylvania
Rachael Mahony, environmental education specialist: Forbes State Forest District, Laughlintown

Northcentral Pennsylvania
Chris Firestone, wild plant program manager: Tioga State Forest District, Wellsboro

For fall-inspired festivals and experiences, head to visitpa.com or follow Visit PA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Pursue your happiness and join the conversation using the hashtag #FallinPA.

MEDIA CONTACT: To contact any of the experts above, call Terry Brady at 717-705-2225, or email [email protected]. To contact DCED and the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, call David Smith at 717-783-1132.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development