pa-DCNR

State officials celebrate launch of new ‘hellbender’ license plate

BY: - October 2, 2023

The species became Pennsylvania’s state amphibian in 2019 to help promote the need to restore water quality and preserve its habitat.

Bucks Co. lawmakers introduce bill to prevent suicides at state parks and forests

BY: - September 27, 2023

State Reps. Kristin Marcell and Kathleen “KC” Tomlinson, both Republicans, have cosponsored legislation requiring suicide prevention information, including 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline information, to be posted at state parks and forest facilities across the Commonwealth.

Pa. launches Office of Outdoor Recreation

BY: - August 31, 2023

The office will coordinate efforts across state agencies such as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the departments of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Health, and Transportation (PennDOT), to create a “cohesive strategy for the growth and expansion of the outdoor sector,” state officials said from Yough River Park in Connellsville, Pa. on Thursday. 

State agencies planning for the future of Pa.’s outdoor recreation economy | Five for the Weekend

BY: - April 8, 2023

State agencies, including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Department of Community and Economic Development, are joining forces to develop an Office of Outdoor Recreation, which "would be responsible for coordinating and synergizing among entities within and connected to state government to help align and support strategic initiatives, partnerships, policies, resources," according to DCNR.

USDA to use outdoors recreation to boost economy around national forests, grasslands

BY: and - January 31, 2023

The USDA program is an acknowledgement from the government about the clear economic benefits of the outdoor recreation sector for rural areas, Chris Perkins, the senior director at the industry and nonprofit coalition group Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, said. 

DCNR grant funding opens for 2023 conservation projects | Five for the Weekend

BY: - January 28, 2023

Last year, the program awarded approximately $90 million to more than 330 local and community projects statewide, according to the department.

DCNR to host ‘first day’ hikes at Pa. state parks to boost health, foster connection to public lands

BY: - December 20, 2022

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced this week that it will host nearly 60 guided hikes in 34 state parks and three forest districts on New Year’s Day as part of the nationwide “First Day Hike” effort to promote a “healthy start in the new year.”

Pa. core samples to get new, $6M home

BY: - November 18, 2022

The core samples, experts said, are important tools to understanding how Pennsylvania’s geology could support carbon capture and sequestration efforts.

Outdoor recreation industry added $13.6B to Pa. economy in 2021 | Five for the Weekend

BY: - November 12, 2022

A report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that outdoor recreation contributed $13.64 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy, including 152,000 jobs, and 1.6 percent of the commonwealth’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

DCNR to host grant application workshop

BY: - October 11, 2022

DCNR is accepting applications for its Community Conservation Grant Program through Oct. 27 with a new round of grants available to applicants beginning on January, 17, 2023. 

DCNR launches Pa. fall foliage report

BY: - September 29, 2022

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources launched its annual fall foliage report, giving tourists - and residents - the ability to track changing foliage across the commonwealth and find the best spots for viewing the colorful leaves.

Wolf admin announces location for three new state parks

BY: - September 27, 2022

The Wolf administration announced in July that there would be three additions to the commonwealth’s state park system, bringing the total number of state parks from 121 to 124, but at the time, details about the locations of the parks were not yet public.