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DCNR Recognized With National Climate Adaptation Leadership Award For Adaptation & Mitigation Plan

On October 2, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the department is receiving a Climate Adaptation Leadership Award from the national Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The award recognizes exemplary leadership by individuals, agencies, businesses and other organizations to reduce impacts and advance adaptation of the nation’s vital natural resources and the many people who depend on them in a changing world.

“As the state’s leading conservation agency, DCNR is using the best available science to develop and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies within each of its bureaus to minimize impacts and serve as a role model for the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Dunn said.

DCNR is receiving the State or Local Government Award for its Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan published in June 2018.

The plan addresses all aspects of DCNR’s work, from grant funding for land acquisition to habitat conservation and native plant conservation, invasive species control, providing healthful outdoor recreation, and managing state parks and state forests.

It includes mitigation recommendations for reducing the department’s carbon footprint and increasing forest carbon sequestration.

Seven awardees from across the country were recognized in September at the association’s meeting in Minnesota.

“From heat waves to droughts and floods, changing climate poses growing risks to the nation’s valuable fish and wildlife and the many people, businesses and communities that depend on them,” stated Ed Carter, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Executive Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “This year’s awardees have done outstanding work to help safeguard species, habitats and communities in a changing world, and we are thrilled to recognize these important efforts.”

The award is sponsored by the Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards Steering Committee made up of representatives from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and various federal agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Visit DCNR’s Addressing Climate Change On Public Lands webpage for more on actions being taken by the agency.

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.

(Photo: Clear Creek State Park, Jefferson County, after severe rain events.)

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