On November 15, Governor Tom Wolf announced an investment of $50 million for 280 projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources, and help revitalize local communities. “Many of the projects being funded—improvements to local parks, trails, and river access—bring opportunities for outdoor recreation closer to home, and read more
15
November
4
October
DCNR Unveils Energy-Efficienty Projects at State Parks and Forests
On October 3, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined officials from the Department of General Services and Bureau of State Parks to highlight major energy- efficient upgrades at Ohiopyle State Park’s visitor center. The heavily visited Fayette County facility is the first in the three-stop Sustainability Tour planned by the read more
19
September
The Nature Conservancy Protects 1,620 Acres Along Kittatinny Ridge
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has secured a conservation easement protecting 1,620 acres in Perry County, near Marysville, after a vote by the Duncannon Borough Council last night. “TNC is proud to play a key role in protecting this beautiful and ecologically important property that is already cherished by people living in the Harrisburg region,” said Bill Kunze, executive read more
7
September
New Parks Feature Stormwater-Management Features
On September 6, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) officials joined Harrisburg officials and city resident groups in the celebration of the state-supported renovations at five neighborhood playgrounds across the city. Facilitated by an almost $700,000 investment from DCNR, improvements were undertaken at Cloverly Heights, Royal Terrace, Penn and Sayford read more
30
July
DCNR Releases New Report on Gas Drilling in State Forests
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently released its second report monitoring the environmental impacts of gas drilling on the 138,866 acres of state forest land leased specifically for shale gas development. The first shale gas monitoring report was issued in April of 2014 and covered shale gas drilling operations on state forest land from 2008 to 2012. read more
26
June
DCNR Names New District Forester
On June 26, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the appointment of Jason Hall as district forester of the Buchanan State Forest District, based in Fulton County. “Interwoven in Jason’s 18 years of service with the bureau is a rich blend of managerial talents that saw him shine, regardless of the post,” Dunn said. “His command read more
18
June
DCNR Highlights Plan to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change on Public Lands
On June 14, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn released the department's Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan outlining 123 action steps to be undertaken to make the commonwealth more resilient to potential impacts from a changing climate. “As the state’s leading conservation agency, DCNR is using the best available read more
8
May
House Resolution Recognizes 125th Anniversary of State Forest and Park Systems
Last week, Representative Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) introduced House Resolution 901 recognizing the 125th anniversary of Pennsylvania's state forest and state park systems. "This resolution commemorates the internationally recognized conservation efforts initiated in the Commonwealth by the General Assembly and Governor Robert Pattison in 1893, and the contributions of read more
30
April
DCNR Honors Sustainable Parks
On April 27, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced Aspinwall Riverfront Park in Allegheny County and Clem Macrone Park in Delaware County as recipients of DCNR's annual Green Park Award. Co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, the awards recognize statewide excellence demonstrating green and sustainable read more
20
March
DCNR Offers Funding to Help Battle Wildfires
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is now accepting applications for grants to help volunteer fire companies fight wildfires. Applications are due April 19. With spring’s arrival and the increased risk of forest and brush fires across the state, funding is now available to help Pennsylvania’s rural communities better guard against the read more
1
March
DCNR, PENNVEST Invest $1.1 Million in Stream Buffer Projects
On March 1, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) awarded $1.1 million in grants for stream buffer projects to eight recipients across Pennsylvania. The funding will support projects that involve planting trees and income-producing species along streams, which improves water quality by reducing the amount of sediment that reaches waterways. All projects read more
19
January
Report: Energy Development on State Lands in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has historically been, and continues to be, home to an abundant array of energy resources like oil, gas, coal, timber, and windy ridgetops. Expectedly, these natural resources are found both on publicly and privately held land. In Pennsylvania, the bulk of public lands are managed by two separate state agencies: the Department of Conservation and Natural read more
8
December
Foundation for Sustainable Forests Receives Grant to Protect 292 Acres
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has awarded the Foundation for Sustainable Forests $725,000 to protect open space in Warren County as part of the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, also referred to as C2P2. The grant will support the purchase and protection of 292 acres of forested land in the Caldwell Creek watershed in read more
5
December
DCNR Awards $44 million in C2P2 Grants
On December 5, Governor Tom Wolf announced an investment of $44 million for 266 projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources, and help revitalize local communities. “Communities go from good to great when they provide residents and visitors with parks and trails, access to waterways, and opportunities for healthy read more
28
November
DCNR Awards 28 TreeVitalize Grants
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, in continued partnership with the Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council, recently announced grant funding for 28 TreeVitalize tree planting, community forestry, and urban riparian buffer projects throughout the state in 2018. “TreeVitalize efforts continue to grow since the program first read more
