Gov. Rendell this week announced plans for a 2007 Governor’s Outdoor Conference March 18-20 that will feature the theme connecting people with nature.

“Our quality of life depends on our ability to understand, appreciate and enjoy Pennsylvania’s natural bounties,” Gov. Rendell said. “We simply cannot afford to lose our connection with the outdoors. It’s a rich part of our heritage and provides the balance we need for a prosperous future.”

The conference will be held at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College.

The speakers and workshops will provide policy makers with the information and ideas they need to address the critical issues surrounding Pennsylvanians' connection to the outdoors.

Mirroring national trends, Pennsylvania’s aging population, declining numbers of hunters and anglers, loss of open space, increased competition for leisure time and a drop in environmental literacy have combined to cause concern. These, and a variety of other indicators, suggest a meaningful decline in people’s connections to their outdoor environment, which can lead to decreased tourism revenue in the state and economic development in rural areas.

“I’ve asked members of my cabinet to gather experts and stakeholders representing a broad range of perspectives on the outdoors and its impact on us,” Gov. Rendell said. “To be successful, we need a strong partnership between state and local governments, the private sector, sportsmen and outdoor recreation organizations of all types, educators and researchers, and, of course, the public.”

“I am excited about this opportunity to bring together the best thinking on outdoor connections in a focused and purposeful way. This conference will help government leaders to better understand these issues and learn how they can be addressed,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. “We see reports on a regular basis that seem to indicate a growing problem, with the potential to impact everything from children’s health and development to the future of the state’s $1.5 billion hunting industry.

“From an environmental perspective, we know that participation leads to stewardship, and the future of this state’s most valuable natural resources depends on future generations perpetuating Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage,” DiBerardinis said.

For more information, visit the 2007 Governor’s Outdoor Conference website or call 877-240-2245.

8/25/2006