Future of Pennsylvania S State Forests Outlined in New Resource Management Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Aug. 19, 2008 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commonwealth News Bureau Room 308, Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120

CONTACT: Christina Novak, DCNR (717) 772-9101

Kurt Leitholf, CNRAC (717) 705-0031

DCNR STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS OF STATEWIDE PUBLIC MEETINGS

HARRISBURG -- A series of six regional meetings will be held to seek public input on how the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is carrying out the goals and actions contained in its strategic plan, Shaping a Sustainable Pennsylvania – DCNR’s Blueprint for

Action, and what the agency’s priorities should be for the future.

The sessions will be hosted by the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory

Council.

“DCNR leadership traveled throughout the state five years ago to gather ideas from nearly 2,000 Pennsylvanians to help develop a course for the agency’s future,” said DCNR

Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. “That feedback helped to create our strategic plan and now we’d like to know from citizens how they think we are doing as we work to carry out the goals that we outlined.”

The meetings will be held Aug. 26 through Nov. 5 throughout the state. They also will provide a forum to collect citizen and stakeholder input on recreation as DCNR develops

Pennsylvania’s statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan this year. “We look forward to receiving valuable input from the citizens of Pennsylvania. We are pleased to work with the secretary and the staff of DCNR,” said Advisory Council Chairman

Cliff David.

The Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council, which consists of 18 citizens from across the commonwealth, provides informed advice to the department, legislature and governor on matters relating to conservation of the state’s natural resources.

The four broad goals of the strategic plan are:

 Improve stewardship and management of state parks and forests;  Promote statewide land conservation;  Build and maintain sustainable and attractive communities; and  Create outdoor connections for citizens and visitors.

Detailed information about the plan can be found at: www.dcnr.state.pa.us (choose the

“Shaping DCNR’s Future” icon).

All meetings are scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. and end by 5 p.m. The meeting dates and locations are:

 Aug. 26, Four Seasons Ski Lodge, Boyce Park, Monroeville, Allegheny County  Sept. 9, PPL Lake Wallenpaupack EE Center, Hawley, Wayne County  Sept. 23, Susquehanna Room B, PA Fish and Boat Commission, Harrisburg  Oct. 7, Room 112, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie  Oct. 20, Horticultural Center, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia  Nov. 5, Bald Eagle State Park Environmental Education Center, Howard Borough, Centre County

Written comments, via e-mail to [email protected], will be accepted until Nov. 5.