DCNR secretary visits Bald Eagle State Forest to highlight bridge project

Apr. 17—LAURELTON — The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited the Bald Eagle State Forest in Union County on Wednesday morning to highlight conservation workforce opportunities.

Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Williamsport crew members have been constructing two wooden footbridges over streams and picnic tables along the Joyce Kilmer Trail just off Bear Run Road near Route 45 outside Laurelton this week. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is a statewide workforce initiative to introduce people ages 15-25 to natural resource conservation and related jobs. It also teaches participants about public service and provides job skills to make them better employees.

"DCNR manages the public lands of Pennsylvania for future generations," said Dunn. "Along with taking care of the land and forest, we have to have the workforce side of it. We've got to generate the next generation of conservationists, conservation workers and tradespeople to take care of the public lands."

The .75-mile Joyce Kilmer Trail offers access to the Joyce Kilmer Natural Area, a 77-acre tract of virgin white pine and hemlock located on Paddy Mountain. Named in honor of the renowned poet Joyce Kilmer, this tranquil haven boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna, including towering hemlocks and majestic hardwoods, according to the department.

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed 2024-25 budget builds on the success of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps with a $5 million investment in a regional effort to diversify and strengthen conservation career and workforce pathways for young people. The governor also proposed an additional $8.5 million toward trail crews to maintain trails in state parks and forests and connect them to communities, Dunn said.

"The most important thing we can do to generate more opportunity for the public to enjoy the land they own, the parks and forests, would be to have more trails and better trails," said Dunn.

Outdoor recreation generates $17 billion for Pennsylvania's economy. It benefits the physical and mental health of its users, and promotes quality time and memories with friends and families, she said.

Victor Otruba, the project leader this week, said the paid crew of four started on Monday in Bald Eagle State Forest and will continue to do conservation projects across the region until November.

"The bridges were in a state of disrepair," said Otruba. "They were rather old and beams were rotting. The lumber needed to be replaced, and the decking on one completely. We left the original joist on one."

Lumber and materials cost less than $1,000.

"Keeping people's feet out of the water is one of the most straightforward ways to get people to hike," said Otruba. "If you come across a stream when you're hiking, so many people are done."

Crew member Haley Kleckner said she used to work as a line cook.

"I didn't quite like it," she said. "I wanted to get outside more and wanted to make a difference, especially with conservation. I didn't have much of a background in that, and I found this opportunity where I can gain the skills to further my career in conservation."

She said seeing all their hard work come together was the biggest reward. Removing the nails from the old boards was the most difficult part, she said.

Kleckner said she was excited to hear that Dunn was spending time with the crews on Wednesday.

Dunn said people don't want to use trails unless they're accessible. The budget proposals would open up "a world of opportunity" for residents.

"They want to have a good trailhead, they want to know where it is, have bridges like this where they need them," said Dunn.

Dunn said outdoor recreation was used en masse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It helped us understand and realize how behind our infrastructure was," said Dunn. "People were coming in greater numbers, and still are. Our infrastructure, whether it's trails, whether it's parks, whether it's picnic areas, it wasn't up to the task. We're trying to expand the opportunity and secure the existing opportunities and make them better. We're trying to keep the public coming back and keep those good habits people gained during the pandemic."

Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps members in 2024 will work in more than 100 parks, forests and communities across the state on projects. In 2023 alone, the Outdoor Corps improved 91 miles of trails, planted 2,894 trees, improved 512 acres of natural lands and wetlands and improved 79,579 feet of shore and waterways. The corps is managed by DCNR and the Student Conservation Association and is supported through funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and private philanthropic partners.