Pennsylvania DCNR Secretary Touts Volunteer Efforts as National Public Lands Day Approaches

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Applauding volunteers for working to preserve and improve state parks and forests, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources acting Secretary John Quigley today encouraged the public to participate in National Public Lands Day events planned for Saturday, Sept. 26, at state parks across Pennsylvania.

“Volunteers have long been the cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forestlands, and their demonstrated dedication has proven invaluable,” Quigley said. “That’s why National Public Lands Day is such a special event; last year bringing more than 120,000 volunteers together across the nation to refurbish and restore public places.”

Marking its 16th year, and billed as the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands Americans enjoy, National Public Lands Day was highlighted in a Sept. 16( ) proclamation from Governor Edward G. Rendell.

“Whether planting tree seedlings at Elk County’s Bendigo State Park, or maintaining trails at Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County, National Public Lands Day gives each of us a chance to contribute to the betterment of our public lands,” said Quigley. “This Saturday, local volunteers will have a unique chance to give something back to their country, their community, and the state parks that serve them. I encourage everyone to consider lending a helping hand.”

Twelve state parks, three environmental education centers, and one conservation area are hosting volunteer groups in the national effort to improve and preserve habitat on public lands. Details are online at www.npld.com. All overseen by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the following locations have scheduled a volunteer workday in conjunction with National Public Lands Day:

Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County; Bendigo State Park, Elk County; Black Moshannon State Park, Centre County; Chapman State Park, Warren County; Colonel Denning State Park, Cumberland County; Cowans Gap State Park, Fulton County; Frances Slocum State Park, Luzerne County; Jennings Environmental Education Center, Butler County; Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center, Cumberland County; Lackawanna State Park, Lackawanna County; Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset County; Little Buffalo State Park, Perry County; Nescopeck State Park, Luzerne County; Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, Berks County; Raccoon Creek State Park, Beaver County; and Varden Conservation Area, Wayne County.

Prospective volunteers should call participating state park offices before Saturday, Sept. 26, to pre-register and inquire about inclement weather plans, starting times, meetings places and other details. Pennsylvania volunteers will join a workforce across the country that is committed to carrying on the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the “tree army” that exemplified land stewardship from 1933-1942 by preserving and protecting America’s natural heritage.

The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation, which has managed and coordinated the annual all-day effort from its start in 1994, estimates that the volunteers’ work, along with community contributions of food, tools, and equipment, will result in more than $8 million of improvements and provide the day’s “Helping Hands for America’s Lands.”

National Public Lands Day is a public-private partnership involving DCNR and many other state, federal, and local land and conservation agencies. The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation manages, coordinates, and generates financial support for the program.

For general information about volunteering in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forestlands throughout the year, visit the DCNR Web site; www.dcnr.state.pa.us (select either State Parks or Forestry).

Editor’s Note: the text of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s proclamation follows:

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is blessed with a rich variety of public lands that includes parks, unique landscapes, forests, wildlife refuges, historic trails, natural streams and wetlands, nature centers, gardens and other landmark areas throughout the nation that individually and collectively represent irreplaceable state and national resources; and

WHEREAS, public lands provide locally accessible natural and cultural resources for environmental learning, wildlife appreciation and recreation; and they promote civic ideals that include shared stewardship and recognition of public ownership; and

WHEREAS, shared stewardship requires the goodwill, cooperation and active support of citizens, community, city and state officials, business leaders, children and adults; and land conservation builds awareness among urban dwellers with concerns about planned development, shared land use, preservation of wild areas and natural habitats, and the benefits realized by diligent restoration and enhancement efforts; and

WHEREAS, an alliance between private citizens, land managers and community leaders, such as that witnessed so frequently at our state parks, forests and historical sites, improves the condition of publicly held lands for the greater enjoyment and enrichment of all Americans; and

WHEREAS, National Public Lands Day, co-sponsored by the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Defense, the National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and USDA Forest Service, has become an annually anticipated event for local participation on publicly held lands in this Commonwealth.

THEREFORE, in recognition of the importance of protecting our open space and other natural resources, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim September 26, 2009, as NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY in Pennsylvania.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord, two thousand and nine, and of the Commonwealth, the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

EDWARD G. RENDELL, Governor

    CONTACT:  Terry Brady
    (717) 772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources