Pennsylvania officials are prioritizing the protection and celebration of the state’s rivers, wildlife, and public lands through a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing community involvement and funding biodiversity research. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced these efforts during the holiday season, highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship across the Commonwealth.
The DCNR recently opened online voting for the **2026 River of the Year**, allowing residents to choose from three nominated waterways until **January 16, 2024**. The contenders include the **Conestoga River**, the **Chillisquaque Creek**, and the **lower Schuylkill River**. According to **Cindy Adams Dunn**, Secretary of the DCNR, this annual competition not only underscores the recreational and cultural significance of these rivers but also fosters community pride and awareness of conservation needs.
The **Conestoga River**, which flows over **61 miles** to the Susquehanna River, is known for activities such as canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. The **Chillisquaque Creek** stretches **20 miles** and serves as a tributary to the West Branch Susquehanna, providing outdoor recreation within its **112-square-mile** watershed through four counties. The **lower Schuylkill River** covers **36 miles** through the greater Philadelphia region, acting as a vital recreational corridor in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Two days following the river initiative, the Shapiro Administration announced nearly **$530,000** in grants aimed at conserving native biodiversity. These funds will support **15 projects** focused on protecting various species, including rare plants, insects, and mammals. The grants will facilitate research to address gaps in knowledge and to inform conservation strategies statewide.
Projects funded through this initiative will include mapping habitats for green salamanders, surveying rare stoneflies and aquatic plants, and creating Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive firefly inventory. Other research will assess endangered fish reintroduction and utilize DNA barcoding to catalog native bee diversity. The DCNR noted that these grants, administered through the **Wild Resource Conservation Program**, reinforce the state’s commitment to protecting non-game species and ecosystems for future generations.
On **December 12, 2023**, the DCNR also announced a leadership change in the **Pennsylvania Wilds**. **Michael Plish** has been appointed as the manager of **Chapman State Park** in Warren County, overseeing the **862-acre** park and its popular Chapman Lake. Plish, a graduate in environmental science from **Clarion University**, brings valuable experience from various state parks and the **Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps**. DCNR officials expressed confidence that his background and collaborative approach will enhance stewardship at Chapman, which is a key recreational site in the area.
These initiatives collectively represent a concerted effort by Pennsylvania officials to engage the public, invest in science-driven conservation, and improve the management of the state’s natural resources. As the Commonwealth embraces environmental protection, it positions these efforts as both a civic responsibility and an economic opportunity.
