One outcome of the Governor's Outdoor Conference this week was the announcement by Gov. Rendell that he is appointing a task force to organize and coordinate five statewide public meetings to present findings from the conference and solicit additional ideas and recommendations about keeping people connected to nature.

The task force will be co-chaired by Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austen and Caren Glotfelty, who directs the Heinz Foundation's Environment Program.

"The Outdoor Conference was the first step toward addressing disturbing trends that indicate the bond between our citizens and our bountiful natural resources is weakening," Gov. Rendell said. "We realize that we have only begun the work to solve these issues with this three-day conference, so we are committing to follow up the conference by engaging the public in a broader dialogue.

"I am expecting that information gleaned from the conference and the post- conference meetings will be incorporated into a final report with recommendations for action and be presented to me by the end of this year," the Governor said.

The public meetings will be held in late spring in Erie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton.

"The conference participants did an excellent job laying a foundation for a broader conversation about protecting and enhancing our natural heritage and relationship with the outdoors," Gov. Rendell said. "These issues have the potential to impact so many things, including children's health, the vitality of our rural areas, our quality of life and the future of the state's billion-dollar hunting industry."

Approximately 300 people, including policy makers, business representatives, sportsmen's groups, conservation organizations and representatives of the health and education sectors, participated in the first-of-its-kind Governor's Outdoor Conference in State College.

The conference included panel discussions around issues, trends and impacts on the first full day, and interactive workshops that explored solutions on the second day.

The conference website will provide full access to the information presented at the conference once it is processed. Online forums will continue to provide opportunities to engage in a discussion about improving connections between Pennsylvanians and the outdoors.

NewsClip: PA Officials, Industry Leaders Stress Outdoors Participation

3/23/2007