Pennsylvania Department of Aging

01/26/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/26/2022 11:33

DCNR Secretary Outlines 2022 Priorities to Advisory Council

​Harrisburg, PA -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today highlighted the agency's 2022 priorities at the first Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council (CNRAC) meeting of the year.

"DCNR has made strategic accomplishments in the first seven years of the Wolf Administration and is intent on building upon that progress in 2022," Dunn said. "We have seen a tremendous interest in outdoor recreation over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the core of our priorities is ensuring those new users are a part of our focus going forward. I am eager to work with this advisory council to implement these priorities over the course of this year."

Highlights from the department's 2022 priorities include:

  • Maximizing on outdoor recreation momentum to retain new uses through implementing existing action plans, expanding outdoor recreation opportunities, and leveraging grants to expand access to trails.
  • Demonstrating the critical need for $1.4 billion infrastructure improvements in state parks and forests; developing a long-term sustainable funding source.
  • Continuing to address water quality issues through streamside buffers and lawn conversation projects.
  • Addressing climate and sustainability issues through strategic planning, green energy initiatives, reducing carbon emissions and carbon capture projects.
  • Expanding and funding the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps.
  • Nurturing new leaders through the department's NextGen Council.
  • Building on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts to reinforce the message that parks and forests are welcoming to all people.

CNRAC is a citizen advisory council created in 1995 with the formation of DCNR. The advisory council provides a voice to citizens in conservation and stewardship of the commonwealth's resources, giving its members opportunities to discuss critical DCNR issues during its bi-monthly meetings.

"So much of what we do is influenced by the stakeholders across the commonwealth working to make a difference in their communities," Dunn said. "We are grateful for such an active, engaged advisory council that supports our mission, while also helping us improve our strategic initiatives."

DCNR manages 121 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forests. The department works with stakeholders to help with strategic planning for one of the largest expanses of public lands in the eastern United states that includes 6,200 local parks, more than 12,000 miles of trails, and more than 83,000 miles of waterways.

Visit DCNR's website for more information about the department and its mission.

MEDIA CONTACT: Wesley Robinson, 717-877-6315

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