Nominations for individuals and organizations who would like to attend the Governor’s Outdoor Conference are now being accepted. The Conference is being held March 18-20 in State College.

There is a $275 registration fee to attend.

“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.”

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 other indicators suggest a meaningful decline in people’s connections to their outdoor environment, which can have consequences on our communities, our economy, and our natural resources.

The conference will gather policy makers, business representatives, sportsmen’s groups, conservation organizations and representatives of the health and education sectors to analyze current trends and consider solutions to expand people’s connection to the outdoors.

For more information, visit the Governor’s Outdoor Conference website or send email to: connectoutdoorsinfo@state.pa.us .

2/23/2007