Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for maintaining and preserving the state's 124 state parks and 20 state forests; providing information on the state's natural resources; and working with communities to benefit local recreation and natural areas.[1] The agency has its headquarters in the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.[2]

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Logo of the DCNR
Agency overview
FormedJuly 1, 1995
JurisdictionGovernment of Pennsylvania
HeadquartersRachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40°15′45″N 76°52′47″W
Agency executive
  • Cindy Dunn, Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources
WebsitePennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The department was formed when then-governor Tom Ridge split the Department of Environmental Resources (DER) into the DCNR and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

History

Current Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources

Past Secretaries of Conservation and Natural Resources
  • Ellen Ferretti (Appointed September 2013)[3]
  • John Quigley (Appointed April 2009)
  • Michael D. DiBerardinis (Appointed January 2003)
  • John C. Oliver (Appointed November 1995)

Education

The DCNR is host to many different environmental education programs throughout the summer months. These range from topics such as "Leave No Trace" hiking/camping policy to the different wildlife and plant species of many of the state parks.

Law enforcement
DCNR ranger vehicle at Cowans Gap State Park

Pennsylvania DCNR rangers act much like National Park Rangers do. They routinely check on cabins and campsites, offer insightful answers to visitors questions, and help to maintain calmness throughout the parks. They have full arrest powers while in park lands and carry side arms. However, they do not have jurisdiction over Pennsylvania State Game Lands, which are patrolled by Wildlife Conservation Officers employed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. DCNR rangers enforce game laws as well as fishing and boating laws in state parks. However, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is completely independent of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Both agencies are independent of DCNR, but work in cooperation with each other.

DCNR ranger responsibilities have three primary elements:[4]

  1. Public contact - Assisting visitors to make the outdoor experience safe, educational and enjoyable.
  2. First responder - DCNR "forest" rangers are trained and certified Department of Health medical first responders capable of providing basic life support in an emergency. Some DCNR rangers have continued their education and training to be certified as emergency medical technicians.
  3. Law enforcement - Rangers act as law enforcement officers the same way as typical police officers would, but also enforce game, fishing, and boating laws.

Organizational structure

The DCNR comprises the following subunits:[5][6][7]

  • Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry
  • Deputy Secretary for Conservation and Technical Services
  • Deputy Secretary for Administration
    • Bureau of Human Resources
    • Bureau of Administrative Services
    • Bureau of Information Technology
  • Office of Policy and Planning
  • Office of Education, Communications and Partnerships
  • Office of Conservation Science
  • Chief Counsel
    • Richard Morrison[10]

See also

References
  1. "Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources". Archived from the original on 2006-12-11. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
  2. "Contact DCNR Archived 2011-05-01 at the Wayback Machine." Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on October 18, 2010. "Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Rachel Carson State Office Building PO Box 8767 400 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17105-8767."
  3. "Ferretti out as DCNR Secretary". 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  4. "Pennsylvania Park Ranger Training and Degree Requirements". Park Ranger EDU. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  5. DCNR Bureaus Archived 2009-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved on 2009-05-31.
  6. DCNR Organization Chart Archived 2008-04-20 at the Wayback Machine. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved on 2009-05-31.
  7. DCNR Executive Staff Archived 2009-05-01 at the Wayback Machine. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved on 2009-05-31.
  8. "Nathan Flood". Archived from the original on 2017-01-04. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  9. "Brian Grove". Archived from the original on 2017-01-04. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  10. "Richard Morrison". Archived from the original on 2017-01-04. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
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