DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Black Moshannon State Park in Centre County alongside local and state leaders to highlight the impact of volunteers on public lands and discuss the new online system, which modernizes how DCNR engages volunteers by simplifying sign-ups, standardizing processes, and automatically tracking hours and milestones.
Black Moshannon State Park is the PA Parks and Forests Foundation 2026 Park of the Year.
Click Here for video and photos from the event.
Critical Role Of Volunteers
Volunteers can earn rewards as they reach service benchmarks, including free camping and cabin stays in state parks and forests, and the system makes it easier for individuals and groups to sign up-- building on the more than 56,000 volunteer hours contributed to state parks across 3,300 projects in 2025 alone.
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro and his Administration have worked to modernize state government and deliver services that are easier and faster for Pennsylvanians.
Those efforts are also driving economic growth — with new data showing Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy grew by $1.5 billion and added 9,000 jobs in 2024, reaching $20.4 billion in total impact and supporting more than 177,000 jobs across the Commonwealth.
The sector continues to outpace national growth, reflecting the Shapiro Administration’s investments in parks, trails, and outdoor recreation infrastructure.
“Pennsylvania’s parks and forests are some of our greatest assets-- and they rely on dedicated volunteers to keep them thriving,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This new system makes it easier than ever for people to get involved, give back, and connect with the outdoors while helping us care for these spaces for future generations. We are grateful to the individuals and groups who spend time each year picking up trash, maintaining trails, and supporting events outdoors. Thank you for your service to our beautiful natural spaces.”
Volunteers play a critical role in maintaining and improving public lands-- from repairing and maintaining trails to supporting campgrounds, enhancing visitor experiences, and promoting healthy forests.
DCNR is unveiling the new system during a month-long recognition of volunteer contributions across the Commonwealth, including the work of Friends groups supported by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.
“We are grateful to the individual volunteers and our Friends groups for their consistent, dedicate service to supporting public lands,” said PPFF President Marci Mowery. “These amazing people donate their time and talent, working alongside state park and forest staff, to help make Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests some of the best natural spaces in the country, and we thank them for their service.”
"Our volunteers are the backbone of Keystone Trails Association,” said Holly Smith, executive director of the Keystone Trails Association. “In 2025 alone, 196 dedicated individuals showed up across 27 Trail Care events, contributing 3,793 hours of service valued at $122,438. Their dedication is what makes KTA's work possible."
All Ages Can Get Involved
DCNR encourages Pennsylvanians of all ages and backgrounds to get involved.
Volunteer opportunities include trail maintenance, campground support, facility improvements, environmental education, and conservation projects, including--
-- Maintaining and improving all trails to ensure safety, accessibility, and sustainability.
-- Caring for recreational facilities, such as pavilions, playgrounds, gardens, and picnic tables.
-- Assisting with campground upkeep, including campsite maintenance, trash cleanup, and serving as a campground host.
-- Promoting healthy forests through tree planting, community education, and sustainable land management.
The new system allows DCNR to automatically track logged volunteer hours and subsequent rewards as milestones are reached.
Those rewards include a social media badge for anyone who volunteers and additional perks for reaching benchmarks, including--
-- 100 hours: 1-night free state forest camping
-- 250 hours: 2-night free state park camping
-- 500 hours: 5-night free state park camping
-- 1,000 hours: 2-night/3-day free state park cabin stay
A downloadable guide is available to assist volunteers with signing up for the new system to connect to volunteer opportunities.
More information and frequently asked questions about the Conservation Volunteer system is available on DCNR’s Conservation Volunteer webpage.
Visit DCNR's YouTube page for a video depicting how to become a conservation volunteer.
Click Here for DCNR’s announcement.
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. Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter.
(Photo: Black Moshannon Park manager, Mathias Weinzen, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, Marci Mowery, President, PA Parks & Forests Foundation.)
Related Articles This Week:
-- PA Environmental Council Accepting Applications For Statewide Non-Motorized Waterway Access Grants [PaEN]
-- PA iMapInvasives 2026 Invasive Species Scavenger Hunt May 1-31; Webinar Introduction April 30 [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Centre Daily Times: Black Moshannon Named State Park Of The Year By PA Parks & Forests Foundation At Event Unveiling New Volunteer System
-- Republican Herald: PA Recreation & Park Society Recognizes Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department For Revitalizing Trout Population To Boost Outdoor Recreation
-- Tribune-Democrat: Flight 93 Memorial Added To State’s New Highway Of Heroes Trail
-- Republican Herald: Schuylkill River ‘River Of Revolutions’ Sojourn To Honor America’s 250th Anniversary - June 13 to 19
-- Penn State Extension Hosts April 3 Webinar On Invasive Spotted Lanternfly, 1:00 to 2:15 p.m.
[Posted: March 31, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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