Action Alert: PA DCNR Seeking Public Input on Forest Management

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry is in the process of writing a new Strategic Plan that will set the Bureau’s mission and overarching goals. The Plan guides how the Bureau provides leadership in forest management and conservation on both public and private lands in urban and rural areas.

In an effort to obtain input pertaining to the new Bureau of Forestry Strategic Plan, the Bureau has put together a survey for completion by stakeholders and the public. Reflected in the public survey are questions designed to shape how the department:

• Considers opinions and attitudes of citizens about forests and the agency’s work
• Steers its mission, goals, objectives and the methods used to achieve them
• Weighs attitudes and opinions on:
  • Forest restoration, watershed protection, plants, wildlife, and biodiversity
  • Working forests and the resources that come from them such as oil, gas, and timber
  • Recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and motorized
  • Climate change
  • Forest education, outreach, and understanding of forest management practice and wood products
  • Value of trees and forest products

“As the department moves forward in developing a new strategic plan, those who appreciate, work in, or recreate in Pennsylvania’s forests have a remarkable opportunity to shape the future management and sustainability of Pennsylvania’s forest resources,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn said. “I encourage all to become a part of this state’s rich forest planning heritage by completing the survey.”

The National Deer Alliance (NDA) outlines state and federal land management as a key priority area. Here, PA DCNR is asking for input from hunters and the public with respect to forest management in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania deer and deer hunters both rely on healthy and intact forests, and the Bureau of Forestry is tasked with ensuring adequate public and private land habitat and access for a variety of pursuits. NDA encourages its Pennsylvania members to complete the survey, which should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Opinions about the critical strategic questions found in the survey will prove valuable in the planning process. The  survey link will remain active until August 31, 2020.