Since 2015, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources green energy and sustainability projects have resulted in the installation of 19 solar arrays; the addition of 33 plug in EV and hybrid vehicles; public EV charging stations at 33 state park and forest locations; and energy efficiency measures that will save more than $30 million over 20 years and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5,110 tons annually.

On October 19, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined state park and other DCNR officials in a visit to Colonel Denning State Park in Cumberland County to highlight a new initiative to move to battery-powered tools at 20 state parks.

“We are replacing gasoline-powered with battery-powered tools to further reduce our carbon footprint and lessen the noise from this equipment that impacts state park visitors enjoying the quiet of nature,” Dunn said.

The new string trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws are now in service at 20 state parks, with each of these locations receiving one of each tool: Bald Eagle; Black Moshannon; Blue Knob; Colonel Denning; Fort Washington; Greenwood Furnace; Hills Creek/Leonard Harrison; Jacobsburg; Jennings; Laurel Hill; Lyman Run/Cherry Springs; Nolde; Ohiopyle; Parker Dam; Pine Grove Furnace; Point; Promised Land; Ryerson Station; Trough Creek; and Washington Crossing.

The secretary’s visit to Colonel Denning is part of the 2021 Sustainability Tour, which began with an announcement at Presque Isle in Erie last month that new solar arrays will take the park to net zero energy.

Other sustainability work at Colonel Denning includes weather proofing buildings, changing out heating and cooling systems for energy efficiency, adding electric vehicle charging stations, a new energy efficient showerhouse, and the planting of 75 trees and shrubs in the riparian zone along Doubling Run to assist with improving water quality and capturing carbon.

Colonel Denning State Park has 273 acres of woodland and a 3.5-acre lake. The park serves as a gateway to the 96,000-acre Tuscarora State Forest, which surrounds the park.

Visit DCNR’s Sustainable Practices webpage to learn more about green and sustainable initiatives.

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: Solar energy panels, electric motorcycle and car at Tom Ridge Environmental Education Center, Erie.)

[Posted: October 19, 2021]

10/25/2021