DCNR To Hold Virtual Town Hall Event June 12 On Draft Plan For The Future of Pennsylvania Forests - Forests for All

On June 3, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources State Forester Seth Cassell announced the Bureau of Forestry will hold a virtual town hall meeting June 12 to share perspectives and receive feedback on its draft plan: Forests for All: A Plan for Pennsylvania’s Forests and People.

“DCNR is committed to its mission of stewarding the Commonwealth’s natural resources for future generations and we want to engage the public before finalizing this plan to maintain the Commonwealth’s forests and native wild plants,” Cassell said. “We are hopeful that the public uses this opportunity to learn more about the future of Pennsylvania’s forests and to provide feedback to DCNR on this important plan.

The public town hall will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2024. 

Registration is required for the event and town hall participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the strategic plan.

The strategic plan draft outlines a vision and mission for the future of the Commonwealth’s forests and its people rooted in strengthening the ecosystem management foundations laid by the agency and growing in its connections with people and communities. 

The current plan outlines five goals in support of that vision and mission.

The plan is currently undergoing review and finalization and is subject to change.

DCNR is using the town hall to connect with Pennsylvanians in a real-time environment. Comments provided during the meeting will not be collected as official public comment, however the agency will collect public comment on the plan at a later date.

Nearly 60 percent of the Commonwealth is covered by quality hardwood forests. DCNR Bureau of Forestry manages 2.2 million acres of state forestlands in 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. 

Staff from the bureau also provide guidance and assist private forest owners with planning and management of 15 million acres of private forestlands.

Click Here for a draft Forests For All Plan.

Visit DCNR’s State Forest Management webpage to learn more about state forests.

  For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

[Posted: June 3, 2024]  PA Environment Digest