On February 26, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Berks County to celebrate the completion of a $436,000 renovation of C.H. McConnell Environmental Education Hall at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.

This investment is part of the Shapiro Administration’s broader commitment to modernizing state parks and forests, with $120 million in infrastructure improvements completed since January 2023.

“Gov. Shapiro is making strategic investments to improve our state parks and forests so they remain accessible, educational, and enjoyable for all Pennsylvanians,” said Secretary Dunn. “This renovation at Nolde Forest strengthens our commitment to conservation, education, and community engagement.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget builds on this momentum with $5 million in new funding to expand and improve state parks across Pennsylvania.

This includes establishing the Commonwealth’s 125th state park at Laurel Caverns in Fayette County — the first subterranean state park — highlighting the stunning natural beauty of the caverns and further boosting tourism.

Investing in Education, Accessibility, and Community Engagement

For more than 50 years, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center has served as a hub for hands-on environmental education, engaging over 4,000 K-12 students annually.

The recent renovations to McConnell Hall include:

-- Expanded ADA-compliant restroom facilities to improve accessibility.

-- Updated electrical and plumbing systems for a safer and more efficient space.

-- Improved water management and insulation to enhance sustainability.

“These investments have a ripple effect beyond the dollars spent,” said Brent Erb, DCNR Environmental Education Center Manager. “By enhancing this space, we are ensuring that future generations of students, educators, and community members continue to benefit from the programs and resources Nolde Forest offers.”

Located just outside Reading, Nolde Forest’s 725-acre landscape and 10 miles of trails provide immersive educational experiences in an urban setting.

Established in 1966 as Pennsylvania’s first environmental education center, Nolde Forest has a rich history of conservation and learning.

The site’s partnerships with organizations such as Friends of Nolde Forest, Olivet Boys and Girls Club, and local universities further its mission of fostering environmental stewardship and community involvement.

Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center is located in the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape and the Schuylkill River Greenways National and State Heritage Area, and plays a key role in Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation and conservation efforts.

Last year, Governor Shapiro launched Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway, the Commonwealth’s new tourism brand.

Pennsylvania’s state parks are central to this initiative, providing free outdoor recreation while supporting local economies.

With over 725 million visits nationwide each year, state parks generate billions in economic activity and serve as vital, close-to-home resources that enhance quality of life.

Visit DCNR’s Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center webpage for more information about the Center and its programs.

Click Here for a copy of 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.

Related Articles:

-- DCNR House Budget Hearing Testimony: Making Strategic Investments To Grow Pennsylvania’s $19 Billion Outdoor Recreation Industry  [PaEN]

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Announces 2025 Award Winners; Award Celebration Set For May 13 At Little Buffalo State Park In Perry County  [PaEN] 

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Penn’s Stewards News Highlights Past & Future Of Pennsylvania Trails Movement; First Day Hikes; Friends Group Projects; More  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Encourages Forest Landowners To Plan Now For Spring Spongy Moth Treatment; Populations Have Reached Outbreak Levels  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: Call For Presentations - PA Greenways & Trails Summit Sept. 21-23  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Upgrades Nolde Forest Environmental Center To Enhance Student, Visitor Experience In Berks County  [PaEN]

-- DCNR State Parks Environmental Educator Newsletter Highlights Winter Teaching Ideas; Educator Workshops; Black History Month Guides  [PaEN]

-- DCNR To Release Whitewater Into Tohickon Creek For Annual Boating Event In Bucks County March 15-16

-- Lebanon Valley Conservancy Partners With Brett & Janice Balmer To Preserve 34 Acres Of Forest Habitat In Lebanon County  [PaEN]

-- Legislation Introduced To Promote Biodiversity Through Native Insect Conservation - By Nate Reagle, Certified Pollinator Steward  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Warren Times: Mother-Daughter Duo Honored With Allegheny National Forest Chapter Of North Country Trail Assn. Award

-- Williamsport Sun: Being Present With Nature In New Ways To Support Mental Health, Decrease Stress

-- Reading Eagle: Nolde Forest Environmental Center Celebrates Investment In Ourdoor Learning

-- Scranton Times: Spongy Moths Expected To Be Moderate Across NE Region

-- AP: Hiker Rescues Dog From Abandoned Coal Pit After Frigid Weeklong Search In Schuylkill County

-- Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County Aims To Draw Crowds With Regional ATV Trail

-- Warren Times: Registration Open For Allegheny 100 Hiking Challenge

-- York Dispatch: York City, North York At Odds Over Property Maintenance Along York County Rail Trail

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Franklin Square In Philly Getting $7.8 Million Upgrade With New Playground, Zip Line, Restrooms, Bike Lanes

-- WHYY: More Bicycle Lanes Could Come To Philly Connecting To Schuylkill River Trail And Temple

-- WPXI: 18-Year-Old Man, Not Wearing Helmet, Dead After Dirt Bike Crashes Over Embankment In Westmoreland County

-- National Park Service To Hold Public Meetings For Start Of White-Tailed Deer Management Planning For Select National Parks In Western PA

-- Inquirer: President Freezes National Park Money For Valley Forge Forest Management 

-- PennLive: Fmr DCNR, National Heritage Area Director Brenda Barrett Protests Cuts To National Parks: They Are ‘Endangering Our Crown Jewels’

-- PennLive Guest Essay: If You Care About National Parks, Forests, Tell Congress To Stop President’s Cuts Now - By Douglas Austen, Fmr Fish & Boat Commission Executive Director

-- Warren Times Editorial: Not A Big Fan Of Celebrating President’s Cuts: People Receiving Pink Slips In Our Region Work Each Day To Earn A Paycheck To Support Their Families, It’s Just Adding To The Unemployment Rolls

[Posted: February 26, 2025]

3/3/2025