March 31, 2026 - Philipsburg, PA
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has launched a new, streamlined Conservation Volunteer system designed to connect more Pennsylvanians with service opportunities across the Commonwealth's 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forestland. DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Black Moshannon State Park in Centre County alongside local and state leaders to highlight the impact of volunteers on public lands and discuss the new online system, which modernizes how DCNR engages volunteers by simplifying sign-ups, standardizing processes, and automatically tracking hours and milestones. Volunteers can earn rewards as they reach service benchmarks, including free camping and cabin stays in state parks and forests, and the system makes it easier for individuals and groups to sign up - building on the more than 56,000 volunteer hours contributed to state parks across 3,300 projects in 2025 alone. Since taking office, Governor Shapiro and his Administration have worked to modernize state government and deliver services that are easier and faster for Pennsylvanians. Those efforts are also driving economic growth - with new data showing Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation economy grew by $1.5 billion and added 9,000 jobs in 2024, reaching $20.4 billion in total impact and supporting more than 177,000 jobs across the Commonwealth. The sector continues to outpace national growth, reflecting the Shapiro Administration's investments in parks, trails, and outdoor recreation infrastructure. Speakers Include:Black Moshannon State Park Manager Mathias WeinzenDCNR Secretary Cindy Adams DunnPPFF President Marci MoweryCentre County Commissioner Mark HigginsChris Reese, Friends of Black Moshannon State ParkAl Germann, Keystone Trails Association Regional Trail CoordinatorBritt Madera, Pennsylvania Wilds Center Communications ManagerMike Kuhn, Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League Executive Director