Nearly 300 people turned out for the first-ever Pennsylvania Wilds conference—Natural Assets, Natural Opportunities: Planning, Protecting and Investing in Rural Pennsylvania—to learn more about the initiative, glean new ideas, celebrate success stories, and share insights to benefit the region.

Federal, state, and local government officials; tourism professionals; planners; business owners; representatives of trail, conservation, and sportsmen’s groups; and the many others in attendance relished the exchange of information and the chance to network with such a diverse audience. Participants came from all over the 12-county area and from across the state for the two-day event held September 13 and 14 at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport.

“We’ll know we will have been successful, when in 100 years, someone can still fish the clean, clear waters of Pine Creek and catch big, abundant trout or continue to view majestic elk at Hicks Run,” said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis in an emotional kickoff speech to the conference crowd.

Ed McMahon, a national expert on community planning and design, and renowned nature –based tourism and recreation consultant, Ted Eubanks, delivered thought-provoking plenary presentations that emphasized conserving and appropriately-promoting the many unique cultural and natural attributes of the Pennsylvania Wilds to maximize economic return to the region. In breakout sessions, a variety of speakers highlighted relevant programs, best practices, and case studies aimed to enlighten along specific conference tracks: community and rural issues, recreation and stewardship, and business and economic development.

In the spirit of the Pennsylvania Wilds vision, facilitated feedback sessions were held the final morning of the conference generating a wealth of recommendations to achieve long-term success in the region. These recommendations will be posted here in the near future.

A “Taste of the Wilds” dinner reception provided gastronomical enlightenment and offered a midway break from the conference work. Held at the neighboring Community Arts Center, this special event featured authentic foods of the region prepared by the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The wares of local artisans were on display to further enhance the evening.

The conference was sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Rural Development Council, and the Appalachian Regional Commission with additional support from Mackin Engineering, Larsen Design Group, and First Energy.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Wilds webpage.

9/28/2007