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DCNR Invites Public Comments To Help Shape A Bold Vision For Outdoor Recreation In PA; 5 Webinars Start Feb. 3

On January 31, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a series of webinars and an open opportunity for people to share their thoughts on ways to improve and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania.

The public will be able to comment on a draft of the 2025-2029 Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) from February 3 through March 3.

An online public input form is available on DCNR’s website, and webinars on the five priority areas for the 2025-2029 SCORP will be conducted during this period.

“This plan is critical for the future of outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, and I encourage those interested to share perspectives to help us design more people-focused initiatives for the future,” Secretary Dunn said. “Outdoor recreation delivers huge benefits for all of us – from driving local economies, to helping us lead healthy, active lifestyles. We all need outdoor recreation in our lives, and this plan makes recommendations on how we can make it accessible to everyone.”

Webinar Dates

Priority areas in the five-year plan and their related webinar dates will be held from Noon to 12:30 p.m.--

-- February 3: Promoting Community and Economic Development – Click Here to Register

-- February 5: Advancing Health and Wellness – Click Here to Register

-- February 10: Supporting Equity and Inclusion – Click Here to Register

-- February 12: Addressing Infrastructure and Maintenance – Click Here to Register

-- February 18: Progressing on Sustainability and Climate Change – Click Here to Register

Background

There were multiple surveys that informed the draft plan, including a Penn State Lion Poll from a web-panel survey of more than 1,000 adult Pennsylvanians, a public survey, and a recreation providers survey.

One of the key findings — out of more than 8,000 responses — revealed Pennsylvanians' strong connection between outdoor recreation and mental well-being.

Every five years, states must develop a comprehensive outdoor recreation plan to guide policies, programs, and investments while remaining eligible for federal funding.

SCORP enables Pennsylvania to remain eligible for federal grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has provided more than $216 million since 1965 to fund projects including: parks and historic sites; forest, river, and wildlife habitat conservation; and access to recreation, hunting, and fishing.

The 2020-24 SCORP Plan – Recreation for All – focused on 20 recommendations and 70 action steps for meeting the outdoor recreation needs of all Pennsylvanians.

Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry contributes $19 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy, represents 2 percent of its GDP, and supports more than 68,000 jobs that provide $9 billion in wages and salaries.

Visit DCNR’s PA Outdoor Recreation Plan webpage to learn more about Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Recreation Plan.

Click Here for DCNR’s announcement.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website.

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