The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced on September 1, 2020 the permanent protection of 561 acres of forestland in Benezette Township, Elk County – a popular destination in our region to see elk roam in their habitat. The property was immediately conveyed to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to become open to the public as a new addition to read more
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September
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August
DCNR Bureau of Forestry Strategic Plan Survey
DCNR is in the process of writing a new strategic plan -- designed to set its mission and overarching goals for forestlands in Pennsylvania. The plan guides how the department provides leadership in forest management and conservation on both public and private lands in urban and rural areas. Citizens are invited to give input regarding the future of commonwealth forests by read more
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June
The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy conserves 112 acres adjacent to the Loyalsock State Forest
As the highest bidder at a recent public auction, the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) conserved 112 acres adjacent to the Loyalsock State Forest. The property includes steep, forested hillsides, a trout stream, and a rocky cliff along Loyalsock Creek. This newly conserved land is almost directly across from where Little Bear Road (and Little Bear Creek) read more
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May
DCNR Announces Plan for Reopening Some State Park, Forest Facilities
On May 2, 2020, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a phased reopening of state park and forest facilities in keeping with Governor Wolf’s direction to ensure that Pennsylvanians have opportunities to safely enjoy outdoor recreation as a way to maintain positive physical and mental health. “As the weather read more
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April
The Nature Conservancy Protects 232 Acres Along Pennsylvania’s Kittatinny Ridge
The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania and Delaware announced on April 23, 2020 that it has acquired 232 acres of forest in Letterkenny Township, with financial assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. The property will be transferred to the Bureau of Forestry and become read more
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March
State Park and Forest Open Spaces Are Open but Subsidiary Facilities Are Closed
On March 23rd, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that all facilities at state parks and forests in Pennsylvania will be closed until April 30 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed read more
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March
DCNR Announces Measures for State Park, Forest Programs as Part of COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts
Amid concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced that effective Friday, March 13, all public programs, events and trainings in state parks and forests will be canceled for the remainder of March, and the month of April. With the exception of three state parks in read more
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November
WPC Protects 265 Acres; Transfers to State Forest
On November 6, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the protection of 265 acres of forests and steep mountain ridgeline in Haines Township, Centre County. The property was immediately transferred to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry to become an addition to the 193,000-acre Bald Eagle State Forest. Located read more
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August
Natural Lands Transfers 59 Acres of Land for Public Use
On August 15, Natural Lands announced the conservation and transfer of 59 acres of formerly private land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The land will now be available for public use and forever protected from development. The first property is an eight-acre parcel owned by the Keller family and is immediately adjacent to Nockamixon State Park in Haycock Township, Bucks read more
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July
Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy Preserves Avis Canoe Launch
Sometimes you have to buy a property people think is already public and actually make it public. Thanks to support from Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) members and extra help from George and Shirley Durrwachter, that just happened. For years, people have used a property on the Avis side of the Route 150 bridge over Pine Creek to get on and off the creek in read more
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January
New Report: State Parks and Forests Face $500 Million Maintenance Backlog
On January 28, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation unveiled a new report on the maintenance needs of state park and forest infrastructure titled The Legacy of Pennsylvania Parks and Forests: The Future is in Our Hands. The event took place in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg and featured a slate of speakers who highlighted the need for increased funding for park and read more
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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
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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
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June
Shultzabarger Appointed as State Forester
A veteran of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s Bureau of Forestry has been appointed state forester and will serve as director of the bureau. Ellen M. Shultzabarger, who has worked for 14 years in various positions in the Bureau of Forestry, began as bureau director on June 12. “The director plays a critical role in the daily operations of the read more
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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
