Conservation and Natural Resources

DCNR’s core mission to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment continues to serve Commonwealth residents as more and more people seek the outdoors for both mental and physical health benefits. DCNR partners with landowners, communities, and conservation organizations to protect our natural resources and increase outdoor recreational access in our state parks, forests, and communities. The acreage of natural and recreational lands conserved is largely determined by how much funding is available for land acquisition, which fluctuates yearly, and when lands become available for purchase or easement. Conserved lands support the Commonwealth’s efforts to mitigate climate change; create more resilient communities; ensure healthful outdoor activities are available to all residents; support local and regional economies; and create more attractive and viable places for people to live, work, and recreate. According to Department of Community and Economic Development’s Land Use Planning Reports, Pennsylvania continues to see growth in developed lands and losses in forested and natural lands.

Lands conserved through either acquisitions or easements are included in this overall metric. This includes lands acquired through the Bureaus of State Parks and Forests as part of the state park and forest systems as well as lands conserved by partner organizations and municipalities through grants funded by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

DCNR partners with landowners, communities, and conservation organizations to preserve our natural resources and increase outdoor recreational access in our state parks, forests, and communities. The quantity of natural and recreational lands conserved is largely determined by how much funding is available for land acquisition, which fluctuates yearly, and when lands become available for purchase or easement. Acreage reported helps the Commonwealth track our efforts to combat against climate change and create more attractive places for people to live. Lands conserved through either acquisitions or easements are included in this overall metric.

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps provides on the job training, work experience, environmental education, and professional development opportunities to young people who complete recreation and conservation projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands. This initiative trains new generations of stewards and actively supports DCNR in its efforts to diversify its workforce and meet strategic initiatives and goals, such as youth engagement and ensure the future of conservation. Beginning initially with five crews, the program has grown to 23 crews in 2022, including specialized teams focused on specific needs or tasks, performing work across the state. The Outdoor Corps consists of a 10-month program for young adults ages 18 – 25 and a six-week, summer program for youth ages of 15 – 18. To date the Corps has contributed over 434,000 hours of service to Pennsylvania’s parks, forests and communities.

This metric will track the number of PA Outdoor Corps alumni that are trained and given employment opportunities within DCNR after completion of the program. This will help the Department begin to understand how the PA Outdoor Corps experience advances career opportunities within DCNR for participants. Qualified alumni have been hired with the Department for positions including communications staff, environmental educators and rangers.

Trails are the arteries of park systems and communities; they connect people to work, school, home, and other community assets. 'DCNR recognizes the importance of trails through the vision for Pennsylvania to develop a statewide land and water trail network to facilitate recreation, transportation, and healthy lifestyles for all. The number of miles of trails improved/constructed in communities, state parks, and state forests reflects DCNR’s continued work towards its’ strategic goals such benefit communities and citizens through investments and conservation and recreational resources. A key priority for DCNR is to ensure people of varying abilities can safely access and benefit from trails. Pennsylvania is a trail-rich state, with more than 650 trails and 12,000 miles of trails including more than 1,700 miles of rail trails.

DCNR recognizes that disparities do exist in regards to who can easily access trails close to home. A goal of Pennsylvania’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan (SCORP) 2020-2024 is to have a trail within 10 minutes of every Pennsylvanian. DCNR’s Land and Water Trail Network Strategic Plan 2020-2024 identifies trail needs including closing priority trail gaps.

Development of community or regional trail systems continues to be a high priority for facility investment for communities, Pennsylvanians, and outdoor recreation providers. Working with local trail partners and local governments, DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation awards millions to construct new trails, close trail gaps, and rehabilitate existing trails. As Pennsylvania continues to experience population growth and urbanization, trail networks will play an ever-more valuable role in meeting our recreation and transportation needs.

As the state's conservation agency with sustainability as part of its mission, DCNR must serve as a leader in green practices. DCNR has built a team within the Department, representing all bureaus, to work on increasing energy efficiency, reduce waste and water use, and reduce unnecessary costs. DCNR has also set a goal of producing or purchasing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

DCNR completed an audit with Department of General Services and entered into a Guaranteed Energy Savings Account (GESA) to invest in more energy-efficient practices at 25 state park and forest complexes, which will result in cost savings over time. DCNR’s GESA projects have completed energy efficiency and energy conservation measures in the western third of the state while currently finishing up additional improvements in the central region. The energy reductions from these GESA improvements will also assist DCNR in attaining its renewable energy goals. During fiscal year 2020-21, the DCNR Central Region GESA project began. However, due to COVID-19, Parks and Forests experienced an unprecedented surge in visitors seeking relief from the stress of the pandemic. That year, the total energy consumption in electricity and natural gas for DCNR across the Commonwealth was 31,519,500 kWh. This number represents an annual 1.1% increase in total energy consumption from the previous year.

To-date, DCNR has installed 21 solar arrays, purchased 34 plugin hybrid and electric vehicles with plans to convert DCNR’s state vehicle fleet to more fuel-efficient vehicles. DCNR is working with others, including DEP’s VW mitigation program, to set up hybrid and electric charging stations at state parks across PA that promote use of parks and a sustainable practice as well. To date, DCNR has installed 41 public electric vehicle charging stations at 34 state parks and forests.

DCNR oversees the management and stewardship of 124 state parks spanning about 300,000 acres of land. A 2012 Penn State study found that the nearly 40 million annual state park visitors generate more than $1 billion in economic activity each year, directly supporting 9,435 jobs and spending over $628 million directly at local shops, outfitters, restaurants, and other businesses that need support now more than ever. Overall, every $1 invested in state parks returns $12.41 of value-added income to the commonwealth.

Over the past few years, state parks have welcomed an unprecedented number of people with visitations as high as 46 million reported in the 2021-22 fiscal year. The upsurge in visitation speaks to the vital service public lands play towards people’s health, well-being and quality of life. The annual state park visits relate directly to DCNR’s core mission to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania's natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment and its vision to inspire citizens to experience the outdoors. To meet the overflow of visitors and the growing demand for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, DCNR has added three new state parks to its system in 2022.

Visitation numbers are reported based on the fiscal year.

DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC) provides financial assistance to local governments and recreation and conservation organizations on projects related to parks, recreation, and conservation. Each year, DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grants help rehabilitate parks, build and improve trails, increase recreational access and opportunities, conserve open space, protect waterways, and plan, acquire and develop public parks. Over $1.2 billion in grants have been awarded since 1995. These projects help bolster the local economy by leveraging local and private dollars, directly supporting Pennsylvania businesses and jobs, and investing in long-lasting community projects. This funding ensures direct benefits to communities by providing access to outdoor recreational amenities, improving water quality, enhancing climate resilience and flood mitigation efforts, expanding multi-modal transportation opportunities, and improving overall quality of life.

DCNR’s grant funds have historically benefited every county across the Commonwealth. These investments build and improve lasting infrastructure and improve existing park and trail systems -- all while leveraging local dollars, keeping Pennsylvanians working, and helping small businesses thrive. In 2022, DCNR made an historic announcement of $90 million in outdoor recreation and conservation grants very early in September. The additional allocation of federal funds allowed the department to open a special fall 2022 supplemental grant round.

Grant funding is submitted based on the fiscal year.