On April 17, Shapiro Administration officials worked with members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps on a project to improve the Joyce Kilmer Trail in Union County in Bald Eagle State Forest.

The four-member crew of young people age 18-25 working at Bald Eagle is based in Williamsport.

To improve public lands, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget builds on the success of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps with a $5 million investment in a regional effort to diversify and strengthen conservation career and workforce pathways for young people.

“The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps has a successful track record helping young adults develop the job skills needed to succeed in today’s economy,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Gov. Shapiro believes now is the time to invest in Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy by expanding opportunities for skill development and paid work experience that will create economic opportunity and a ready workforce for conservation and recreation.”

Gov. Shapiro also is supporting the outdoor recreation economy by proposing an $8.5 million additional investment in parks and forests that will make Pennsylvania a premier destination for exceptional trail experiences, benefiting the economic competitiveness of communities, tourism, and public health.

This year, a total of about 200 young people will participate in the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps, a statewide workforce initiative to introduce people ages 15-25 to natural resource conservation and related jobs.

It also teaches participants about public service and provides job skills to make them better employees.

Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps members in 2024 will work in more than 100 parks, forests, and communities across the state on projects including:

-- Trail work

-- Habitat enhancement

-- Improving park and forest assets such as buildings, drainage structures, and landscaped areas

-- Tree planting

-- Storm damage restoration

-- Inventorying trees planted in communities

2023 Accomplishments

In 2023 alone, PA Outdoor Corps members--

-- Improved 91 miles of trails

-- Planted 2,894 trees

-- Improved 512 acres of natural lands and wetlands

-- Improved 79,579 feet of shore and waterways

-- Provided a formative and rewarding experience for participants

The corps is managed by DCNR and the Student Conservation Association and is supported through funding provided by the Department of Labor and Industry, as well as private philanthropic partners.

The Williamsport Outdoor Corps efforts for this week are focused on the Joyce Kilmer Trail, which is a hiking only trail that spans approximately three-quarters of a mile in Hartley Township, Union County.

The team is working on renovating a footbridge that crosses Bear Run, ensuring safe passage for forest visitors.

This iconic trail serves as the gateway to the 77-acre Joyce Kilmer Natural Area, a sanctuary of old growth forest and pristine wilderness.

Named in honor of the renowned poet Joyce Kilmer, this tranquil haven boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna, including towering hemlocks and majestic hardwoods.

Bald Eagle State Forest has more than 300 miles of hiking trails.

The Governor’s budget as proposed would enable DCNR to:

-- Design and construct new trails in parks and forests

-- Retrofit, widen, and otherwise improve existing trails

-- Prepare to respond to damage that currently cannot be quickly addressed when emergencies occur.

$17 Billion

Outdoor recreation adds $17 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy, supporting 164,344 jobs, and accounting for 1.8 percent of the Commonwealth’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Gov. Shapiro’s first budget resulted in the launch of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation.

More information about this program is available at the DCNR Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps webpage, the Student Conservation Association website, or in videos on the DCNR YouTube page.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, 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.

Related Articles:

-- DCNR Highlights Conservation Job Opportunities In PA Outdoor Corps As 2024 Season Begins  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Announces Improvements Planned For Kinzua Bridge State Park Skywalk In PA Wilds  [McKean County]

-- DCNR Accepting Permit Applications For Northcentral Regional ATV Trail Riding; Season Dates Set

-- DCNR Grants Newsletter: Featured Project: Preserving An Underground Railroad Site; Volunteers Make The Difference In Tree Planting

-- PAEE/NAAEE: Relaunch Of 'Outside For 5' Campaign Urges Educators To Embrace Outdoor Learning  [PaEN]

-- Keystone Trails Assn. Welcomes 3 New Staff Members To Expand Presence In Bedford, Clinton & Lancaster Counties  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Observer-Reporter: Residents, Business Owners Celebrate Ohiopyle’s ‘Best Small Town’ Designation

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: For 100 Years, Friends Of The Wissahickon Has Been Protecting The Park From Everything From Cars To Climate Change

-- York Daily Record: Nature Preserve In York County Named To Honor Robert A. Kinsley

-- Republican Herald: Schuylkill River Trail From Saint Clair To Frackville To Spark An Economic Boon, Officials Predict

-- WHYY: Montgomery County, Partners Working To Transform 2 Norristown Trailheads

-- WNEP: Volunteers Plant Trees, Clean Up Nesbitt Park In Wilkes-Barre

-- Forests For The Chesapeake Bay Update: Habichats Wetland Walk; Upcoming Events; Know Your Flowers

-- Republican Herald - Tyler Frantz: Outdoors Companies Offer Eco-Friendly Products

[Posted: April 18, 2024]

4/22/2024