PA Environment Digest Blog: DCNR, Labor & Industry Secretaries Visit PA Outdoor Corps Crews At Codorus State Park In York County

On August 1, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker visited with crew members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps at Codorus State Park in York County.

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is a signature program within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that is supported operationally by the Department of Labor & Industry.

More than 1,200 young people have completed the program, which provides opportunities for paid work experience, job training and environmental education to help corps members become successful stewards of our natural resources and productive citizens.

Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2024-25 budget included a $5 million investment in the Outdoor Corps to improve and expand this critical conservation workforce program.

The Corps is managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Student Conservation Association and is supported through funding provided by Labor & Industry, as well as private philanthropic partners.

“These visits are so energizing and critical in developing our future conservation leaders," Secretary Dunn said. “This experience with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps will help these amazing young people learn skills they can take forward into whatever career path they choose to follow. Thank you to department and Student Conservation Association staff that keep this incredible program running each year, and thanks to Labor & Industry for operational support."

Established in 2016, the corps offers young people the opportunity to serve on a team and complete conservation projects that protect, enhance, and restore Pennsylvania's public lands.

It also teaches participants about public service and provides job skills and ethics to make them better employees.

“The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps not only gives young people a chance to gain the lifelong skills needed to be successful in their future careers, but it gives them meaningful experiences as they engage with and learn about Pennsylvania's natural resources," Secretary Walker said. “Any opportunity for Pennsylvanians to earn while they learn is at the foundation of a successful workforce model. Labor & Industry is proud to support Outdoor Corps and its ongoing effort to build connections, promote conservation, and provide educational employment opportunities for young workers."

In 2016 the program started with just five youth crews. This year there are 26 crews across the Commonwealth--

-- Fifteen 6-week youth (age 15-18) crews based in Altoona, Dubois, Harrisburg, Meadville, Norristown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Somerset, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and an American Sign Language Crew

-- Eleven 10-month young adult (age 18-25) crews are based in Altoona, Dubois, Harrisburg, Meadville, Norristown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Somerset, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and a Statewide Cultural Resource Crew

Dunn noted the program seeks participants from underserved communities to increase awareness about conservation in them, and to diversify young people who have an interest in natural resource protection jobs.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working with the city of Harrisburg to explore options for a city-specific crew.

Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps members this year are working in more than 100 parks, forests, and communities across the state on projects including--

-- Trail work

-- Habitat enhancement

-- Improving park and forest assets such as buildings, drainage structures and landscaped areas

-- Tree planting

-- Storm damage restoration

-- Inventorying trees planted in communities

As of the beginning of the 2024 season, crew members had accomplished the following--

-- 5,177 acres of land improved

-- 945 miles of trails managed

-- 253,109 feet of waterways improved

-- 7,571 improvements to structures

-- 17,454 trees and shrubs planted

-- 30,341 datapoints collected

-- 957 certifications

Alumni of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps have obtained employment with conservation organizations including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Student Conservation Association, National Parks Service, National Forest Service, and other conservation organizations, thanks in part to experience with the corps.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps webpage.

Visit DCNR’s Conservation Education Opportunities webpage for more on programs and opportunities for people of all ages in all regions.

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, 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.

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