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The Shapiro Administration is taking new steps to protect Pennsylvania's state parks, forests, and outdoor recreation areas from the growing impacts of climate change, while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). This week, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn unveiled a new Climate Action Plan at the Mira Lloyd Dock Resource Conservation Center, establishing measurable goals and actions to make the Commonwealth's public lands and DCNR operations more sustainable and resilient through 2050.
Pennsylvania is already experiencing the effects of a changing climate, including increased flooding, more extreme heat days, harmful algal blooms, and shifting seasonal patterns. These changes can threaten public safety, harm natural resources, and affect the places Pennsylvanians and visitors enjoy for outdoor recreation. The plan builds on work already underway and sets goals for making DCNR's operations and public lands more sustainable and resilient for future generations.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and his Administration are committed to protecting Pennsylvania's environment and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the Commonwealth's natural resources and outdoor spaces, including upholding Pennsylvanians' constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment.
"Pennsylvania's state parks and forests are among our greatest natural resources, and we have a responsibility to protect them for generations to come," Adams Dunn said. "This plan builds on the work DCNR is already doing to prepare our public lands for the impacts of climate change, protect the natural resources Pennsylvanians depend on, and reduce our own emissions. We're setting clear goals and taking practical steps to ensure these special places remain safe, healthy, and accessible for everyone."
The 182-page plan outlines steps DCNR will take to prepare its lands and facilities for climate impacts, protect visitors, and help communities address climate-related risks. Drawing on findings from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)'s Climate Change Impact Assessment, the plan identifies how changing weather patterns and more extreme conditions could affect DCNR's lands, operations, and mission.
The plan includes:
-- Updated climate projections for Pennsylvania.
-- A department‑wide climate risk assessment.
-- DCNR's first greenhouse gas inventory.
-- Agency-wide and bureau‑specific climate actions and performance indicators.
-- Guidance on climate‑resilient land management, carbon sequestration, and emerging technologies.
"As the effects of a changing climate continue to expand, DCNR's work on their Climate Action Plan is another way that Pennsylvania is focused on the future," said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. "DCNR's tremendous work will help to preserve the natural and scenic beauty at state parks, forests, and public and private lands as guaranteed in Pennsylvania's Constitution. As DCNR uses the plan to guide future actions, it will allow them to mitigate and adapt our public lands to continue to be an amazing resource for future generations."
The plan establishes specific goals and accountability measures, prioritizes support for vulnerable communities, and includes:
-- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions directly resulting from DCNR operations by 80 percent by 2050.
-- Generating or offsetting all electricity used by DCNR from carbon-free sources by 2035.
-- Providing both general and specialized climate change training to all DCNR staff by 2030.
-- Establishing 60 measurable climate action goals across the agency.
-- Implementing 49 bureau-led actions to strengthen climate resilience in infrastructure, grant programs, operations, natural resources, recreational spaces, and other agency functions.
-- Reporting progress each year to ensure transparency and accountability.
DCNR designed the Climate Action Plan to serve as a resource for local governments, school districts, universities, and conservation organizations working to address climate change. It includes regional climate projections, a statewide climate risk assessment, and guidance on forest management, carbon sequestration, and climate-resilient recreation design. These tools can help communities identify and prepare for risks such as flooding, landslides, and extreme heat.
DCNR has already made significant progress in climate mitigation and adaptation. The agency has installed 40 small‑scale solar arrays, added more than 50 public electric vehicle charging stations across state parks and forests, built 18 high-performance LEED-certified buildings, and converted about 10 percent of its vehicle fleet to electric or hybrid models. DCNR's Bureau of Facility Design and Construction consistently incorporates climate‑resilient and sustainable design into its projects, including the rebuilt aqueduct at Delaware Canal State Park, which was engineered to withstand future storm events.
Adaptation efforts include upgrading trails and recreation infrastructure to withstand more severe storms, enhancing emergency response training, and expanding forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk, control invasive species, and strengthen ecological resilience. DCNR serves as the lead agency for all wildfires in Pennsylvania and provides grants to volunteer fire departments to help equip and train crews across the state.
DCNR invests millions of dollars each year through the Community Conservation Partnership Program to help local governments and nonprofits build climate‑resilient parks, trails, and recreation areas, including a recent $81 million investment in community projects statewide. Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has invested approximately $315 million in more than 1,100 park and recreation projects.
More than 70% of Pennsylvania’s forests are privately owned, meaning the long-term resilience of the state's forests depends on the stewardship of private landowners. Through its network of county-based service foresters, DCNR provides technical assistance and guidance to landowners, communities, and forest managers on sustainable forestry practices that strengthen forest health, protect water resources, enhance wildlife habitat, and prepare forests for future climate challenges.