PA Environment Digest

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the PA Parks and Forests Foundation invite the public to attend the unveiling of the fifth and final historical marker commemorating Maurice K. Goddard, champion of Pennsylvania's natural resources, on September 17, at 9:30 a.m. at the Penn State campus in Mont Alto, Franklin County.

"Today, our Pennsylvania state park system is recognized as best in the nation, and we certainly can thank Doc Goddard for playing a major role in that honor," DCNR Secretary Richard J. Allan said. "But we also should not forget that Goddard's background was as a forester, he spent some of his career at Penn State and established our state forest wild and natural areas – and that's what this marker recognizes."

The marker reads: "MAURICE K. GODDARD (1912-1995): Mont Alto. During his career at Penn State, Dr. M.K. Goddard, Professor of Forestry, served as Director of the Mont Alto campus and later Director of the School of Forestry at the University Park campus. From 1955-1979, he served an unprecedented career as Secretary of Forests and Waters and the Department of Environmental Resources under five governors. Goddard expanded the state park system, established state forest wild and natural areas, and led efforts to professionalize state government."

Retiring from state service in 1979, Goddard stayed extremely active serving as a voice for Pennsylvania's natural resources and serving on the boards of a number of conservation groups. He advocated for establishing a separate agency for parks and forestry; and in 1995, the same year in which he died, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was established.

"While Maurice Goddard's name is often synonymous with state parks, his contribution to forestry is equally impressive. Dedicating the marker at Mont Alto campus of the Pennsylvania State University honors this leader in conservation for his many contributions to the betterment of our natural world," states Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.

There are four additional markers that honor the life and work of Dr. Goddard as part of the multi-year Maurice K. Goddard Legacy Project. They are located outside the DCNR/DEP offices in Harrisburg; at Maurice K. Goddard and Delaware Canal state parks; and the fourth is in Camp Hill, Cumberland County, where he lived most of his life.

The Goddard Legacy Project also includes the installation of 25 interpretive panels celebrating Goddard's life at state parks across the Commonwealth; the rededication of Wykoff Run as the Maurice Goddard Natural Area at Wykoff Run; in conjunction with WITF TV, a documentary on the life of Goddard; and the development of a leadership program for youth and young professionals.

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