Gov. Rendell this week named 17 members to the task force that will develop key recommendations to help keep people connected to nature through a new Outdoor Conference Task Force.

“Citizens on the task force represent the breadth organizations that have an interest in reversing trends that show our lifestyles are keeping us from spending time outdoors,” Gov. Rendell said. “They will be responsible for presenting recommendations to me and the General Assembly by the end of this year on how we can strengthen the bond between our citizens and our tremendous natural resources.”

The group will be led by co-chairs Doug Austen, executive director of the Fish and Boat Commission, and Caren Glotfelty, director of environmental programs for the Heinz Endowments. Other members of the task force will be:

· Kathleen Paul, director, Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education;

· Matt Ehrhart, Pennsylvania executive director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation;

· Bob Griffith, executive director, Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society;

· Ben Moyer, journalist and author, Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association;

· H. Eric Martin, owner, Wilderness Voyageurs;

· Gary San Julien, professor of wildlife resources, Pennsylvania State University;

· Richard Butler, executive director, Three Rivers Rowing Association;

· Carl Roe, executive director, Game Commission;

· Mark McLaughlin, director, Shavers Creek Environmental Center;

· Michael Shelton, camp director, Philadelphia Department of Recreation’s Camp William Penn;

· Jamie Olson-McKee, policy director, Pennsylvania Department of Education;

· Allison Topper, executive director, Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity;

· Lori McKean, assistant director for programs, U.S. Forest Service at Grey Towers National Historic Site;

· Lee Steadman, director of arts and humanities, Stairways Behavioral Health; and

· Fran Rodriguez, chief of staff for Rep. P. Michael Sturla.

Task force members will review the data collected from more than 500 people, including the policy makers, business representatives, sportsmen’s groups, conservation organizations and representatives of the health and education sectors who, earlier this year, participated in the first-of-its-kind Governor’s Outdoor Conference and follow up regional meetings.

“Our attention needs to be focused on these issues because they can affect 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,” Gov. Rendell said.

For more information on the task force or an opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion about improving connections between Pennsylvanians and the outdoors through an online forum, visit Outdoor Conference website.

7/13/2007