Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report
The places we call home.
June 2010 Beautiful Pennsylvania
ennsylvania is changing. Its landscapes are Pbeing transformed; communities face economic challenges; natural resources are under new threats. How we adapt and respond to these changes will determine our future prosperity and quality of life.
Over a century ago, Pennsylvanians faced similar resource and community challenges. Rampant resource extraction to fuel an industrializing Pennsylvanians have a solid outdoor culture and a strong nation put natural resources on the brink of affinity for the mountains, streams and landscapes that disaster and communities floundering when surround their communities. This attachment to the land is born from the robust traditions of a natural resource- industry left town. based economy like timber and farming and strong Thankfully, conservation leaders envisioned a hunting, fishing and hiking traditions. Pennsylvania’s beautiful and engaging scenery – from the rolling future Pennsylvania defined by its natural beauty piedmont to the Appalachian Ridge and Valley to the and worked to re-establish its heritage by setting deeply cut plateau of the Alleghenies – also has helped to aside lands for public enjoyment. imbed a deep sense of place and affinity for landscapes with the commonwealth’s residents. Today, 60 percent of the landscape is forested. Wild and natural areas capture the beauty of the past; 117 state parks, 2.2 million acres of state forests, 1.4 million acres of state game lands and the 500,000-acre Allegheny National Forest serve as the foundation for outstanding recreation, scenic beauty, nature-based tourism and vibrant communities.
New Challenges Call for New Thinking
land use planning, investment, citizen involvement and revitalization.
Through these landscapes initiatives, DCNR is working closely with partners and communities on issues such as:
• Conserving land
• Protecting greenways
• Creating walking and biking trails
• Protecting habitats
• Reducing forest fragmentation
• Encouraging sustainable development
ust as they did in the past, our natural resources, Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Work is well underway in seven Jlandscapes and communities stand perilously saw the need to refocus its expertise in order Conservation Landscape Initiatives close to permanent alteration. Pressure to use to help address these new challenges. Instead throughout the state: Pennsylvania our forests to extract natural gas is growing. of working exclusively within its park and forest Wilds, Lehigh Valley Greenways, Rural regions and small towns still face declining boundaries or within a specific community, Lower Susquehanna, Laurel industry, high unemployment and an exodus of the agency broadened it approach to defined Highlands, South Mountain, young people who are leaving to look for work in regions, or conservation landscapes. Schuylkill Highlands and Pocono more prosperous places. DCNR believed that strategic investment around Forests and Waters. Urban areas struggle with increasing conservation, community revitalization and development pressure at the cost of green recreational projects within a landscape could spaces. Many lack comprehensive land profoundly affect local communities and help While each of the seven landscapes use plans, which take a coordinated and protect important natural assets. Simply put: has unique qualities and sometimes thoughtful approach to managing growth. working to save special regions of the state can dramatically different goals, Local governments, strapped with their own save the lifestyles they offer to their citizens and they share these core principles: budget concerns, lack the resources to work benefits they offer to their visitors. locally driven planning, natural across political boundaries to address these These Conservation Landscape Initiatives are resource conservation, community pressing issues. driven by a partnership approach to getting work revitalization and civic engagement. As the state’s natural resource agency and done at the regional level. By getting community primary conservation and recreation funding leaders, other state agencies, local governments, source for communities, the Department of philanthropies and nonprofits all engaged around a common goal – motivated by a sense of place – it was much easier to tackle effective
photo by Brad Harrison
Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report The Recipe for Conservation Landscape Initiatives Evaluations of the Conservation Landscape Initiatives
Regional Approach Hallmark of Conservation Landscape Initiatives
A key approach of Conservation Landscape Initiatives is to look at an area from a regional, rather than local, viewpoint. By definition, Conservation Landscape Initiatives span town and county boundaries. In doing so, these initiatives are bringing regions together to collaborate in ways that they have never done before. The results are a more efficient use of time, money and other resources, and approaches that draw on a broad range of expertise.
In several Conservation Landscape Initiatives, photo by Paul g Weigman intergovernmental partnerships have been forged for the first time.
For example, DCNR offered to fund a planning team in ey ingredients that have helped define the The first two conservation landscapes he Conservation Landscape Initiative is a the Pennsylvania Wilds after hearing from Jerry Walls, a conservation landscapes for the Department of established were dramatically different in nontraditional strategy for government to target former Lycoming County Planning Director, who thought K T the Pennsylvania Wilds Initiative needed more planning Conservation and Natural Resources include: size, scope and goals. The Pennsylvania investment and engage with communities for the before a full-scale launch into communities. Wilds, located in one of the most rural sections benefit of resource conservation and community • Sense of Place. These regions are based on of Pennsylvania, is vast in geographic size, but “Pennsylvania revitalization. For this reason, DCNR commissioned As a result, the region’s 12 county governments signed a shared landscape and are not defined by a groundbreaking intergovernmental cooperative contains only 4 percent of the state’s population. Wilds has brought two studies to assess the impact of the approach political boundaries. agreement stating that they would work together to It focuses on nature-based tourism, built on a common and to make recommendations for improving and address common planning issues and to ensure the • Readiness. Communities are ready to the strong presence of state and federal lands awareness of sustaining the approach in the future. community character of the region did not suffer as a participate in a region-wide effort often and recreational amenities. In contrast, the result of increased tourism to the area. needs that then In 2009, OMG Center for Collaborative Learning, because of threats or opportunities such Lehigh Valley Greenways encompasses only has made it an independent, nonprofit research and consult- Never in the state’s history had such an agreement as changes in the economic base, declining two counties, but is located in one of the most covered such a large geographic area—a quarter of possible to compile ing organization based in Philadelphia, docu- population or urban sprawl. urban settings of the state. Its goal is to protect the state. The agreement gave way to the Pennsylvania a coordinated mented and assessed the process of developing critical open spaces and make urban and Wilds Planning Team and new funding sources. • Engagement. DCNR convenes like-minded strategy for the Conservation Landscape Initiative. Since suburban connections via a vast network of Since its inception, the planning team has undertaken a partners through a civic engagement process working on these each conservation landscape was in a different trails and greenways. region-wide planning study to strategically address key that brings people of the region together to problems” stage of development, the evaluation focused infrastructure planning issues. The group has tackled identify common values and concerns. Those two areas, which are profiled as part of attention on the two most mature: the Pennsyl- regional issues such as developing better signs to direct this report, provide a snapshot of the diverse vania Wilds and the Lehigh Valley Greenways visitors to state parks and other areas, planning for • Strategic Investments. State agencies with issues Pennsylvania citizens and officials face initiatives. The evaluators also reviewed the increased bus traffic on secondary roads, encouraging regional and statewide partners provide and how Conservation Landscape Initiatives are work of the other five Conservation Landscape cell phone coverage in an area notorious for spotty high-level leadership, financial support and signals, and planning for increased needs for sewage helping local areas develop a regional response Initiatives. In addition to OMG’s evaluation, technical assistance. treatment in rural villages. that makes sense to them. Econsult Corporation worked with Wharton “Pennsylvania Wilds has brought a common awareness • DCNR interests and lands. The presence GeoSpatial Initiative, both of Philadelphia, to of needs that then has made it possible to compile a assess the economic impact of the common- of state parks, state forests or significant coordinated strategy for working on these problems,” recreational investments in the region wealth’s investment in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Walls said. provides the foundation for the landscape as These reports are available online at well as staff who can help guide the initiative. www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cli Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report Poconos Forests and Waters covering a six-county area in north- eastern Pennsylvania, has a rich and diverse past, ranging from Colonial Erie settlements along the rivers and valleys, industrial development and
Susquehanna extractive uses, to the outdoor leisure Warren McKean Tioga Bradford and vacation mecca of the Pocono Potter Crawford Plateau. The landscape includes one Wayne of the state’s largest concentrations of public lands, abundant water
Wyoming resources with 4,700 miles of streams and 47,000 acres of lakes and Forest Cameron ponds, and miles of recreational trails. Due to tremendous population Sullivan Lackawanna Venango Elk growth pressures in recent years, the landscape and its natural assets Pike Lycoming are threatened. Accomplishments included permanent protection of more Mercer Clinton than 30,000 acres; cooperative planning and implementation of open Clarion Jefferson Luzerne space goals; outdoor recreation planning and development; and support Columbia Monroe for the new Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Lawrence Clearfield Montour Union Centre Butler Carbon Armstrong
Snyder Northumberland Northampton Schuylkill Pennsylvania Wilds is 12-county Beaver region that offers tremendous Indiana Lehigh Valley Greenways outdoor experiences, on the more Mifflin is located in the third largest Juniata Lehigh than 2 million acres of public land, metropolitan area in the state and Allegheny Cambria Blair Berks equivalent to that of Yellowstone! includes Allentown, Bethlehem Perry Dauphin The region is home to the largest elk Lebanon Bucks and Easton. There is little DCNR Westmoreland herd in the northeast and some of Huntingdon owned land, but at the heart of it is Montgomery the darkest skies in the country. It is Washington Jacobsburg Environmental Education one of the most rural and sparsely Cumberland Center, a key community asset that populated regions of Pennsylvania, containing only 4.1 percent of the will be further developed in 2010. Lancaster Philadelphia Bedford York state’s population. Accomplishments include $126 million in park and Somerset C hester The initiative’s accomplishments include supporting the development forest infrastructure improvements; $5 million in regional marketing; Fayette Fulton Delaware of Jacobsburg and two other nature centers – Trexler Nature Preserve Greene Franklin Adams $5 million in grants and loans for small business development; $13 and the Lehigh Gap Nature Center; connecting residents with nature on million in local park and regional partnership grants; a regional design more than 28 miles of new trails; continuing to complete the Delaware guide to assist communities with community character preservation & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor through the Valley; and providing and enhancement, and an artisan initiative to help improve the visibility technical assistance and funding to help communities respond to and profitability of artisans and arts-related businesses. growth pressure, protect ecological areas and improve urban parks.
The Laurel Highlands is located The South Mountain Partnership The Lower Susquehanna focuses Schuylkill Highlands encompasses an hour east of Pittsburgh in focuses on 1,100-square miles in the on the Susquehanna River and its core parts of the Pennsylvania Highlands southwestern Pennsylvania and South mountains and surrounding river town communities in Lancaster and the Schuylkill River Watershed is defined by three Allegheny lands that constitute the northern and York counties. The largest natural from Valley Forge National Park Plateau ridges: the Chestnut, prong of the Blue Ridge. Key assets area and recreation land holders are to Reading. Significant natural Laurel and Allegheny. With more include Michaux State Forest, utility companies. Protecting the resources include the Hopewell than 100,000 acres of public six state parks, and 60 miles of river means protecting this greenway Big Woods, the largest unbroken lands, scenic vistas and gorges, the Appalachian National Scenic corridor (approximately 13,000 acres forest between Washington, D.C. diverse wildlife and outdoor Trail. The region has thrived with of utility lands) and using it as the and New York City, French Creek recreation opportunities ranging from whitewater to the Great its fertile limestone agricultural lands, timber resources that fed foundation for an economic development, community sustainability State Park, and the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. The Allegheny Passage rail-trail, the region is a destination for visitors iron furnaces, diverse wildlife, and pure spring water captured by and conservation stewardship strategy for the two counties. Major Schuylkill River Trail extends through the middle of this landscape from Pittsburgh, Ohio and the Mid-Atlantic. The region’s economy the mountains’ permeable soils and released into the valleys. The accomplishments include a signed sales agreement protecting, through linking together recreational hubs, parks and the towns along the river. is migrating from resource extraction to natural assets based on communities including Gettysburg, Chambersburg and Carlisle have a fee simple acquisition and conservation easements, 3,600 acres of PPL Accomplishments include permanent protection of over 2,500 acres of the quality experience for residents and visitors. Accomplishments rich cultural heritage. Accomplishments include permanent protection lands, some of which will become a state park; continued development critical habitat; a compatible economic development study for trail and include a unique joint master plan between Ohiopyle Borough and of nearly 4,000 acres; establishment of a unique partnership between of the Northwest River Trail, which will stretch 14 miles along the river woodlands gateway towns; completion of a trail network connecting Ohiopyle State Park; support of the Trail Town Program, which helps agricultural interests, conservationists, and local small communities; corridor; and community downtown and riverfront park rehabilitation in the communities to the Schuylkill River Trail and development of a communities maximize the economic benefit of the Great Allegheny and a region-wide conservation focused speakers’ series. Marietta, Wrightsville, and Columbia. natural resource greenway conservation plan. Passage; and a comprehensive interpretive plan for Laurel Ridge.
Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report Pennsylvania Wilds, Lehigh Valley - Case Studies
Through the initiative, the commonwealth “As important as the marketing is, the has invested more than $5 million in regional community and business outreach, new marketing and $5 million in grants and loans programs and infrastructure investments are for small business development. It has also really helping the region engage in a meaningful invested $126 million to improve state parks conversation about what sustainable tourism and forest infrastructure. development is and how it can benefit the people who live there,” Lindell said. Lindell said that knowing the Pennsylvania “…a meaningful Wilds initiative was working to grow the region’s Since purchasing the business, Allegheny conversation outside tourism gave her and her husband the Outfitters, Lindell and her husband have about what confidence to leave their careers and move grown it by 300 percent and are about to sustainable tourism back to their hometown in Warren County. They undergo a major expansion to become a year- development is purchased two small canoe and kayak liveries round outfitter. and how it can on the Allegheny River. benefit the people who live there.”
he following case studies and findings It also has beautiful natural resources like the Clarion River Partnership Forges Regional Cooperation draw from the two evaluations as well as Pennsylvania “Grand Canyon,” the Allegheny, T But the help that the Pennsylvania Wilds gave additional interviews. Clarion and West Branch Susquehanna rivers, him in managing visitation along his beloved abundant wildlife, and unparalleled night skies. Pennsylvania Wilds Initiative Clarion River changed his mind. In all, the area encompasses more than 2 million Encourages Young Couple to acres of public lands including 29 state parks, The Clarion River was once one of the most Return to Start a Business 8 state forests, 50 state game lands and the polluted rivers in Pennsylvania. By the mid- Piper Lindell and her husband Josh yearned to Allegheny National Forest. 1990s, thanks to years of restoration efforts, the river had started to turn around and local return to the place where they had grown up—a While faced with an economic downturn, many residents and tourists began to return to its beautiful section of Pennsylvania with sparkling residents appreciate the rural, undeveloped banks. But the increased interest brought a rivers, vast herds of elk, and stunning vistas. nature of where they live and do not want a new set of challenges. But the young couple was wary. They knew their sudden influx of tourists. Another long-term resident of the Pennsylvania The river was often used as a local hangout and hometown in Warren County struggled with a Yet Lindell and her husband saw an opportunity. Wilds area had a much different reaction when its banks were littered with trash. It lacked rest bleak economy and high unemployment. They could purchase a business that would he heard about the initiative. room facilities for local residents or tourists, provide them with a livelihood and stay true to Lindell and her husband grew up in an area negatively impacting the resource. that is now one of the Conservation Landscape the rural character of the area. Eric Patton, a Millstone Township, Elk County supervisor, was an early skeptic of the work. The Pennsylvania Wilds provided the spark for Initiatives called the Pennsylvania Wilds. It That’s where the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative A long-term supervisor, he held a deep love for the Clarion River to complete its comeback. encompasses a rural 12-county area in the stepped in. northern tier of the state that has a declining the land and perhaps an even deeper suspicion Through the initiative, DCNR convened county population and has been feeling the impacts of outsiders from the state government trying commissioners and funded an effort to assess of an economic slowdown, particularly with a to tell him what to do. He had endured years the opportunities and challenges facing the decline in manufacturing activity. of planning efforts by outside organizations Clarion River Corridor. with what he felt was little consultation with local residents.
Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report Patton, seeing the commitment and willingness of DCNR and other state agencies to let communities take the lead in planning their future, soon became a local advocate in communicating the potential benefit of the Pennsylvania Wilds to the communities.
This spirit of cooperation lead to the creation of the Clarion River Municipal Partnership under Patton’s leadership. The Partnership is an intergovernmental cooperation agreement among 10 municipalities of the Clarion River Corridor. It marked the first time that groups from various jurisdictions formally came together to work on common issues.
Through their work, the group began collaborating on projects of mutual interest Lehigh Valley Greenways Gives Citizen Group Boost to Restore a Watershed including archaeological field schools for local John Mauser, a retired math teacher, is the type The region was losing open space at a rate of students that provide a hands-on experience in of active citizen who is making a difference four square miles a year. With the population history and stewardship. DCNR and its federal in Pennsylvania’s future. As a middle-school expected to increase 22 percent by 2030, partners at the Allegheny National Forest teacher, he helped teach his students math by preservation of open space, farmland, and invested significantly in the Clarion River Corridor taking them on canoe trips on the Lehigh River. natural resources have been a focus of Lehigh The region was funding new visitor amenities like restrooms Valley’s planners and local governments. losing open near river access points, better signs and maps, He brought a similar energy and creativity to space at a rate additional fishing access and improvements to Pennsylvania’s number one pollution problem: Lehigh Valley Greenways works with the of four square boat launches. sedimentation that runs into rivers from Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor eroded stream banks and pollutes drinking Inc., a regional nonprofit organization, to miles a year. “The Pennsylvania Wilds has provided a common water. But Mauser ran into a major roadblock create new environmental advisory committees, focus that has brought a wide range of federal, in accomplishing his vision until he began assist local government in natural resource state and local agencies together to work on working with the Lehigh Valley Greenways protection, and plant thousands of native trees. mutual issues that we all face,” Patton said. conservation landscape. Small grants from DCNR help local partners “It has helped us think about the area from a implement greenway, conservation, land use The Lehigh Valley, which includes Allentown, regional standpoint.” planning, stream bank restoration and trail Bethlehem and Easton, is among the development projects. fastest growing parts of the state, with many communities feeling overwhelmed by sprawl. It was the Lehigh Valley Greenways that “The Pennsylvania Wilds has… Mauser turned to for help in reducing water brought a wide range of federal, pollution in the area. state and local agencies together to work on mutual issues…”
10 Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report 11 As founder of the Martins-Jacoby Watershed Nature Preserve Created Association, Mauser hoped to carry out through Funding and Assistance two projects to restore stream banks for homeowners. If successful, those projects could For Jan Creedon, director of general services provide a model for stopping the sedimentation for Lehigh County, Lehigh Valley Greenways runoff. But Mauser was disheartened by the fees has helped her region create a now treasured that consultants quoted for the work: $50,000 nature preserve. per project. Those prices made it prohibitive for Located about 10 miles northwest of Allentown, most homeowners to undertake. the Trexler Nature Preserve, was originally a “I was pretty discouraged,” he said. “The project private zoo donated to Lehigh County in the had to come in at a reasonable cost so that 1930s. In 2004 the county decided to open homeowners could replicate them.” the entire underused property to the public and operate it as a park and environmental center. But through Lehigh Valley Greenways, Mauser learned that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Lehigh Valley Greenways adopted the redevelop- Commission could provide low-cost design ment of Trexler Nature Preserve as one of its and construction services. The work by the signature projects. Lehigh County lacks a state commission brought the cost for stream bank park; the preserve helps fill that gap. The rede- repair down to around $12,000 per project, velopment efforts include the construction of an making it much more viable as a model for future environmental education center with a sustain- stream bank restoration projects, Mauser said. able “green” design. The preserve now features more than 20 miles of hiking trails, a 2.5-mile “We’re a small group and we cover 100 square single-track mountain bike trail, picnic facilities miles,” Mauser said. “It’s a little tough. Being part and places to fish, stargaze, and bird watch. of the Lehigh Valley Greenways gave us credibility with funders because they saw that we were part According to Creedon, Lehigh Valley Greenways of a regional effort. It also gives me quick and provided much-needed funding and technical easy access to people who can provide us expert expertise to build and staff the environmental advice. Because of their help, we’re setting the education building. The initiative also funded right example, we’re stabilizing stream banks, public awareness materials and campaigns so and we are starting to change attitudes.” that Lehigh Valley residents and others can learn about and enjoy the nature preserve.
“The Conservation Landscape Initiative has made a big, big difference here,” she said. “It “The Conservation Landscape Initiative has brought funding and focus to a region that has made a big, big difference here…” has a lot of potential and enabled us to develop that potential in a far shorter time period than we would be able to do otherwise.”
photo by Dennis Scholl, Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report 12 Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor 13 Key Outcomes of the Conservation Landscape Initiatives
position the Laurel Highlands as a major municipal planning commission, park national whitewater recreation destination. and recreation board, and elected officials – In the Lehigh Valley, three environmental on the protection and management of education centers are under construction natural resources. or complete: the Trexler Environmental DCNR has also provided mini-grants to Center, Lehigh Gap Nature Center and nonprofits that allow them to take action Jacobsburg Resource Conservation Center. on issues their communities deem most • Communities are connected to the outdoors. important. DCNR sought to enhance the outdoor • State government agencies have carried out experience and bring it to the doorsteps more efficient spending and coordinating, of communities—urban, suburban and which has led to greater leveraging of rural. Four of the Conservation Landscape state funds into additional resources for Initiatives include major trails connecting communities. State agencies are coordinating communities to outstanding recreational their projects and additional dollars are and natural resources. For example, much coming in as funders see the commonwealth’s of the early implementation in the Laurel he 2009 evaluations of the Conservation • Land acquisition has protected natural strategic commitment to protecting natural Highlands focused on expanding and TLandscape Initiatives work concluded that resources and parks. DCNR acquired more resources --- over $135 million has been linking trails to communities along the Great “in short, this approach works”-- that strong than 66,000 acres in the Conservation invested in the Pennsylvania Wilds alone. partnerships, strategic grant making, and Landscape Initiatives between 2003 and Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile multi-use more meaningful engagement with citizens 2008. Each parcel acquired contributed rail trail between Cumberland, Maryland – The Department of Community and pay off with more vibrant communities and important value. For example, in Ohiopyle State and Pittsburgh. Economic Development provides funding for a Small Business Ombudsman in the increased opportunities for people to connect Park in the Laurel Highlands, land acquisitions • Local governments have become engaged Pennsylvania Wilds to provide assistance to with the outdoors. created connections to other land and with conservation issues. Local governments, increased the recreational capacity of the park. area businesses. The studies noted the following results: many of which were unsure of the value of this • Visitors have enhanced experiences through regional approach, have become champions – The Fish and Boat Commission and • Increases in tourism have created economic updated and expanded recreational for the work, particularly working at a regional DCNR have worked together along benefits. In the Pennsylvania Wilds, tourism opportunities. DCNR invested more than level around conservation and community the Clarion River in the Pennsylvania and economic development have increased $126 million in the Pennsylvania Wilds alone. development. For example, in 2005 the Wilds and helped with streamside plantings in the region. Specifically, tourism-related Other investment examples include: 12-county Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team in the Lehigh Valley. employment earnings and tax revenues in formalized through an intergovernmental The 2009 study from OMG Center for the region increased over state averages: the – In the Lower Susquehanna, more than cooperative agreement, representing the most Collaborative Learning concluded: “The economy grew 3.7 percent each year, there $1.7 million in public funds were invested significant example of regional cooperation in Conservation Landscape Initiatives are was a 5.3 percent increase in overnight leisure in the development of a park that connects the state’s history. travel per year and a 2.7 percent increase in the riverfront with the community. bound to have lasting impacts on the regions state sales tax revenue from tourism per year. – In the Laurel Highlands, DCNR invested • Citizens have become more involved in themselves. We have documented substantial In addition, attendance at state parks within $1 million in recreational infrastructure their communities. As each Conservation and tangible progress toward meeting the Pennsylvania Wilds Initiative was up 3.3 – a special dam release valve and Landscape Initiative has gained momentum goals. Perhaps most important, significant percent a year from 2004 to 2008. whitewater park features -- on the and recognition, citizens have become efforts were made to ensure the long-term Stonycreek River to create a 22-mile more engaged in the work. In Lehigh Valley, stewardship of both the public lands and the whitewater recreational asset that will environmental advisory committees, which are character of the communities involved.” small groups of appointed citizens, advise the
14 Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report 15 Recommendations for the Future of Conservation Landscapes
• Working Landscapes Matter • Learning by Doing Matters
– Acquire intact high value forest lands to – Institutionalize the practices that have been protect the health of the ecosystem and successful in the Conservation Landscape serve as a recreational resource for Initiatives: being present in a place, engaging public enjoyment. communities, focusing investments, and – Support land conservation that helps always collaborating. provide for agricultural and forestry-related – Invest in management practices and staff jobs that depend on local products and the training that recognizes the importance well-being of the local environment. of strong interagency partnerships and civic – Engage watershed groups, private engagement to conservation stewardship, citizens and other volunteers in the work community revitalization and quality of of conservation and restoration of lands life issues. and waters of the commonwealth. – Continue to evaluate key indicators related to tourism and economic development, • Local Governments Matter visitation to parks and recreation facilities, he results of the recent evaluations show the – Ensure the Conservation Landscape – Help local governments envision land and water resource conservation and TConservation Landscape Initiatives deliver Initiative approach is coordinated with collaborative solutions to the common state investments. beneficial results to local communities, visitors the other regional and landscape efforts challenges facing their region. and the next generation. Regions have become of greenway and trail organizations, – Provide educational assistance on land Conservation more prosperous, government is working better at heritage areas, county greenway and use and conservation strategies compatible Landscape every level and local leaders see a brighter future. open space planning, and other key with the commonwealth’s tradition of Acknowledgements Initiatives deliver landscape partners. local governments. The evaluations found that state and local The evaluation and analysis of the Conservation Landscape beneficial – Demonstrate the power of the leaders can learn valuable lessons from what • Public Investment Matters Initiative work was funded through financial support from Intergovernmental Municipal Planning results to local has worked on the ground and use those lessons the William Penn Foundation, the Heinz Endowments and the – Target state funding for strategic land program through real world examples and Richard King Mellon Foundation. communities, to implement best practices across the state. preservation, trails and greenways, case studies to address regional needs. visitors and the While this kind of work is entrepreneurial and Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation watershed restoration and community and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council for coordination of next generation evolving, the research leads to recommendations • Visitors Matter greening and revitalization projects. the grants funding. and specific actions: – Invest in parks and forest infrastructure – Use tourism partnerships and brands that For more information on Conservation Landscape Initiatives, • Place Matters that will improve recreational opportunities reinforce the unique recreation, aesthetic including all reports referenced in this summary, log on to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural for local residents and out-of-town visitors. and cultural values that define a region. – Recognize that the special natural and Resource’s website at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cli – Continue to strengthen the collaboration – Consider and incorporate the values of local heritage values of Pennsylvania’s To read a copy of DCNR’s strategic plan: Shaping a Sustainable among state agencies such as Community residents when promoting and sharing landscapes offer a new way to engage Pennsylvania: DCNR’s Blueprint for Action, log on to and Economic Development, Environmental special places and offerings of a region. www.dcnr.state.pa.us and select the Agency Highlights tab. citizens and communities in regional Protection and Transportation, and the Fish – Provide targeted technical and financial planning around what is important to them. and Boat Commission on funding regional assistance to assist and expand small- – Expand the Conservation Landscape and community-focused initiatives. scale, tourism-related business. Initiative from the current seven regions – Offer small grants to assist local – Develop planning programs for to a strategy that is available across the governments and community groups for communities that are gateways to the commonwealth. community, recreation, and conservation- public lands and recreational resources. related projects.
16 Pennsylvania Conservation Landscape Initiatives Report ACG / 6-10 / 5,000