The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this month announced $5,218,900 in grant awards for organizations and projects across the 13-county PA Wilds Conservation Landscape region.
These grant awards will help to advance local efforts to grow the region’s tourism and outdoor recreation sectors in a sustainable way.
The investments were selected through a state-wide competitive process as part of the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), a grant program DCNR administers annually.
This year’s C2P2 grants in the PA Wilds region cover a range of projects and partnerships, from providing funding for regional organizations that are helping to coordinate outdoor recreation, tourism and heritage development partnership networks, programs, mini grant programs and other critical capacity, to specific projects in individual communities related to stewardship, planning and developing tourism, recreation and heritage assets.
The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship (PA Wilds Center) received two grants totaling $406,000, to support its work coordinating the PA Wilds programs and partner networks, as well as to undertake key projects, such as starting up a bike rental/share operation in Marienville along the Knox-Kane Rail Trail; increased messaging around planned maintenance at the Kinzua Skywalk, a major attraction in the region; and undertaking the first of seven visitor-oriented recreation maps of the region, which the center is developing in partnership with local communities and PA-based Purple Lizard Maps, a premier recreation mapping company with distribution across the Mid-Atlantic Region.
PA Wilds Center Chief Executive Officer Ta Enos applauded the Commonwealth’s continued investments in outdoor recreation and tourism in rural PA.
“DCNR has been a foundational investor in the regional effort to grow tourism and outdoor recreation since it began 20 years ago,” Enos said.
“The C2P2 program is one way they do that. Not only do they invest directly in our mission at the center, but they also invest in all these incredible community-driven outdoor recreation and conservation projects, and in regional organizations that are helping to advance sustainable development in this sector. It adds so much momentum.”
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released new data this month that showed outdoor recreation contributed $1.2 trillion (2.3 percent of GDP) and 5 million jobs to the U.S. economy in 2023, up from $1.1 trillion in 2022.
Jessica (Wahl) Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a national organization that advocates for investment in the sector, said, “The new BEA data highlights outdoor recreation as a cornerstone of our economy, generating jobs, supporting small businesses and providing essential opportunities for Americans to engage with the outdoors for health, connection and quality of life.
“This release should signal to policy makers and leaders across the country that investing in outdoor infrastructure and access must remain a national, bipartisan priority.”
Outdoor recreation economy stats, which are broader than tourism statistics because they include the manufacturing of outdoor products and other categories, are not available at the regional or county level. Tourism statistics are available, however, and they show that tourism grew to a $1.9 billion industry in the PA Wilds in 2022.
“Tourism and outdoor recreation are a critical industry for rural PA,” Enos said. “They are an economic engine in their own right, but as important, they work on the suite of amenities that help make our communities more vibrant and livable, helping us attract and retain population and workforce, which we really need.
“We are really fortunate in PA to have programs like C2P2, that invest in outdoor recreation and conservation, and we are thrilled to see so many rural communities compete in it and benefit from it.”
The DCNR C2P2 is funded by a variety of state and federal funding sources, including: the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key); the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF); the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) subject to National Park Service approval; the federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program Fund (PRT); the federal USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program (IRA); and the Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program (HA).
Along with the PA Wilds Center, other state-wide and regional agencies that received grants within the PA Wilds landscape include the Lumber Heritage Region, North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership.
“The PA Wilds is the largest of the state’s eight Conservation Landscapes where multi-county collaboration is offering new economic and environmental improvement opportunities for the region’s rural communities,” said Meredith Hill, DCNR director for the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape Program.
“DCNR’s support of local efforts and partnerships through the C2P2 program, in concert with infrastructure investments in public lands and facilities, provide an important foundation for the PA Wilds landscape strategy.”
Other Statewide/Regional – Total $1,729,700, some of which may include counties outside of PA Wilds region
Lumber Heritage Region of PA Inc., $545,000, Manage the heritage area and heritage area initiatives including the 2025 mini-grant program; conduct education and outreach programs; develop a disc golf course in Glade Township, Warren County; support planning efforts for a Susquehanna River whitewater park in Clearfield County; and support a tourism promotion and marketing campaign. Work to include an electronic written summary report.
North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, $100,000, Coordinate and fund the 2025 North Central Pennsylvania Greenways Plan mini-grant program. Work to include an electronic written summary report.
Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts Inc., $200,000, Installation of approximately 8 acres of riparian forest buffers and 11 acres of lawn to habitat along waterways throughout Pennsylvania. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements.
Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance, $585,000, Manage the heritage area and heritage area initiatives; facilitate the façade and signage improvement program in the Poconos region; continue to develop bicycle tourism assets; support a tourism promotion and marketing campaign; provide technical assistance to PA Route 6 Heritage Communities including support for the PA Heart & Soul Program; and promote the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail. Work to include an electronic written summary report.
The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, $299,700, Coordinate and fund activities of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership; implement the communications plan; manage the West Branch and Lower North Branch Susquehanna River Water Trails; coordinate Trails & River Towns programs; and implement the 2025 greenway mini-grant program. Work to include an electronic written summary report.
County Specific Projects – Total $4,812,900
Cameron
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, $578,000, Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 370 acres along Whittimore Road in Shippen Township, Cameron County for passive recreation.
Clarion
Clarion Borough, $48,600, Rehabilitation of the Toby Boat Launch along the Clarion River in Clarion
Borough, Clarion County. Work to include streambank stabilization; landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
Armstrong Trails Inc., $127,300, Purchase of equipment to maintain and construct approximately 52.5 miles of the Armstrong Trail in Armstrong, Clarion and Westmoreland counties.
Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren
Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning & Development Commission, $100,000, Coordinate and fund the 2025 Northwest Pennsylvania Greenways mini-grant program.
Clarion, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean and Warren
Marienville Trail Riders Snowmobile Club, $39,400, Purchase of equipment to maintain and construct approximately 200 miles of snowmobile trails in Clarion, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean and Warren counties.
Clearfield
Clearfield County Conservation District, $50,000, Installation of approximately 2 acres of meadows in the West Branch Susquehanna River Watershed, Clearfield County. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements.
Clinton
Clinton County, $37,900, Prepare an update to the Comprehensive Recreation, Park, Open Space and Greenway Plan for Clinton County. Work to include an electronic written report.
Quiet Oaks Campground LLC, $399,000, Development of Quiet Oaks Campground in Leidy Township, Clinton County. Work to include construction of camp sites, bathhouse, parking area, and an ATV wash rack; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
Jefferson
Big Run Borough, $65,000, Rehabilitation of Big Run Borough Veteran’s Park in Big Run Borough, Jefferson County. Work to include construction of pedestrian walkway and parking areas; installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
Lycoming
Lycoming County, $649,900, Development of the Susquehanna River Walk Extension, Phase 1 in Williamsport City, Lycoming County. Work to include construction of approximately 1.46 miles of trail from Maynard Street to Elm Park, fencing, at-grade railroad crossing, stormwater management measures; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
Williamsport City, $403,200, Rehabilitation of Youngs Woods Park in the City of Williamsport, Lycoming County. Work to include construction of pavilion, pedestrian walkways, pickleball court and parking area; installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, fencing and lighting; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
McKean
Bradford City, $300,000, Rehabilitation of Callahan Park in Bradford City, McKean County. Work to include renovation of a comfort station and pavilion; construction of pedestrian walkway and parking area; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
Tioga
Wellsboro Borough, $50,000, Coordinate Urban and Community Forestry in Wellsboro Borough, Tioga County; prepare a tree inventory and maintenance plan; and build local tree stewardship capacity. Work to include an electronic written summary report.
Warren
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism, $50,000, Prepare an updated river management plan for 107-miles of the Allegheny River from Kinzua Dam to Emlenton Borough, in Warren, Forest and Venango counties. Work to include an electronic written report.
Warren City, $184,900, Rehabilitation of Point Park in Warren City, Warren County. Work to include construction of pavilion and pedestrian walkway; installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
