Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday joined conservancy, Bureau of Forestry officials and local legislators in a dedication ceremony celebrating the addition more than 1,500 acres to Pinchot State Forest in Luzerne County.

“Visitors will appreciate the increased access and recreational potential this land affords, and we salute the Earth Conservancy and North Branch Land Trust for working tirelessly to make this happen,” Dunn said. “With the addition of the Wanamie and Crystal Lake land parcels, both in Luzerne County, comes increased watershed protection and assistance in the bureau’s efforts to curtail forest fragmentation and safeguard state forestlands.”

The acquisition of the 1,132-acre Wanamie property in Newport Township, Luzerne County, was facilitated by the Earth Conservancy; and the purchase of the 389-acre Crystal Lake tract, was overseen by North Branch Land Trust, in Bear Creek Township.

“We are extremely pleased to have participated in the collaboration,” said Mike Dziak, Earth Conservancy president and CEO. “Projects like this are critical to Earth Conservancy’s mission of revitalization in the region. Not only does preserving this land protect open space and wildlife in the area, but it also adds to outdoor recreational resources for the public.”

Click Here to watch a video of remarks by Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, at the dedication event.

Deeded to the Bureau of Forestry by the Earth Conservancy, the Wanamie tract has an existing mountain bike path that is maintained by the conservancy. Its acquisition will enhance other state forest recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and hunting.

The North Branch Land Trust recently purchased the 389-acre tract in Bear Creek Township, with an eye to protecting the Delaware River watershed and improving public access and recreation opportunities on land surrounding Crystal Lake. It, too, has deeded the property to the bureau.

The tract sits atop the Delaware River Watershed and harbors wetlands and headwater streams feeding into the Delaware River via the Bear Creek and Lehigh River. Trails on the property connect to existing trail networks on the neighboring state forest land.

Both land purchases were facilitated through grant support from DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Community Conservation Partnership Program, with funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund; and the Open Space Institute’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund, made possible with funding from the William Penn Foundation.

Keystone Fund

The Keystone Fund is currently celebrating 25 years of supporting thousands of community improvements in Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation generates $29.1 billion in consumer spending, $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue, $8.6 billion in wages and salaries, and sustains 251,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.

DCNR Grant Workshops

To learn more about other available grant opportunities to support trail, recreation and land conservation projects, attend one of the upcoming workshops on DCNR’s Community Conservation Grant Program.  Click Here for more.

A new grant round is opening soon.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

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[Posted: Oct. 25, 2018]

10/29/2018