Celebrating our Partners: DCNR
- by Tataboline Enos
- June 8, 2022
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The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, who manages so much of the public land in the PA Wilds, has been a critical investor in the PA Wilds outdoor recreation industry cluster, as a funder and as a strategy partner.
They understood the power of outdoor rec as a rural economic driver two decades ago, and really led the PA Wilds work, in coordination with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and local partners, in the early years before it fully transitioned to locally-led. We would not be where we are today without their help and leadership.
DCNR manages many of the PA Wilds region’s star attractions: 29 state parks and 8 state forests.
The annual Community Conservation Partnership Programs (C2P2) grants that DCNR administers supports many community-driven recreation, park and conservation projects and programs that advance rural PA’s outdoor economy. And DCNR’s Conservation Landscape program created the frameworks for the state to continue to invest in the transformative, generational PA Wilds strategy.
Outdoor rec is a $689 billion annual industry in America, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Many states have established Offices of Outdoor Recreation to connect public land managers, private industry, and community projects to grow their outdoor economies.
We are excited that DCNR has recently hired a new Director of Outdoor Recreation, an important step in that direction! Thank you, DCNR!
About the Series:
To celebrate June being Great Outdoors Month, we are highlighting partners throughout June who are helping grow the outdoor recreation economy here in the PA Wilds to help revitalize rural communities. Our 13-county region is the only outdoor rec industry cluster to make it to the final round of the national Build Back Better Regional Challenge competition, where we are now competing for $50M in federal investment from the US Economic Development Administration. We couldn’t have made it this far without our incredible partners!
Learn more about the PA Wilds and the BBBRC competition here.
