Overview

Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is charged with maintaining and preserving the 120 state parks; managing the 2.2 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state's ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space and natural areas.

DCNR’s mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ enjoyment.

Adaptation Work:

Conserving PA's Natural Resources

iConservePA

Disappearing woodlands and open fields, exotic species invading our lands and wiping out native species, changing seasons, diminishing water supplies – all topics in today’s world, all reasons to be concerned about the future of our natural resources. Our iConservePA program helps you understand the challenges and the simple steps you can take that collectively go a long way to helping conserve our state’s natural resources.

Trees and Forests

With 60 percent of the state covered with trees, Pennsylvania’s forests play a major role in the state’s economy, and provide enormous recreation, aesthetic and environmental benefits to citizens and visitors.

Greenways and Open Space

Open space holds different meanings for people. It might be a field or forest, public park with playing fields, wetland, pocket park or a lake or stream. DCNR works with partners and communities to protect these spaces to improve our quality of life.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is all living things and the places they call home. More than 25,000 species of known organisms – white-tailed deer, ladyslippers, rainbow trout, slugs, eastern hemlocks, black bears, timber rattlesnakes, red-tailed hawks – are found in Pennsylvania. Many are threatened or endangered. Learn how the PA Natural Heritage Program is working to protect our special species for the future.

Waterways

Pennsylvania is blessed with more than 83,000 miles of rivers and streams. Clean water for recreating and drinking requires partnerships at many levels. Learn how through technical assistance and grants, DCNR is helping to protect and enhance our waterways through its Rivers Conservation program.

Energy

How we use energy is determining our environmental future. DCNR is taking steps to study alternative energy sources that will reduce our use of fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and changes to our environment.