Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
May 7, 2025
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Planting Today, Protecting Pennsylvania's Tomorrow |
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There’s a new way to support planting trees across Pennsylvania.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined young learners in the Harrisburg School District on Arbor Day to plant a tree and announce an electronic donation for the Keystone Tree Fund.
“Every tree we plant is a step toward cleaner air, cooler cities, and healthier communities,” said Secretary Dunn. “Planting a tree is a simple act with a big impact, and we’re making it easier than ever for Pennsylvanians to contribute to a greener future.”
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Governor Shapiro Visits Michaux State Forest in Cumberland County to Survey Wildfire Damage, Thank First Responders, and Call for Increased Support for Firefighters |
Governor Shapiro toured the site of the wildfires, visited the Incident Command Center to thank first responders for their work, and called for more support for firefighters, which he included in his 2025-26 proposed budget.
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| DCNR Unveils 30th Solar Array at Gifford Pinchot State Park, Celebrating 30 Years of Climate Leadership While Cutting Costs and Emissions on Public Lands |
A pair of solar arrays at Gifford Pinchot State Park are saving taxpayers more than $100,000 annually while sustainability upgrades at the Quaker Race Day Use Area boost efficiency and reflect DCNR’s broader conservation efforts across Pennsylvania’s public lands.
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Two Pennsylvania Wilds Forest Tracts Inducted into the National Old-Growth Forest Network |
Colton Point State Park in Tioga County and Bark Cabin Natural Area in the Tiadaghton State Forest in Lycoming County are the 37th and 38th forests to join the Old-Growth Forest Network, making Pennsylvania the leader for designated old-growth forests in the U.S.
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In Pennsylvania, there are more than 30 species of amphibians. They eat insect pests and help control mosquitos. Their moist, permeable skin makes amphibians vulnerable to drought and toxic substances, so they are exceptional indicators of ecosystem health.
Here are some ways to be a friend to amphibians:
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Limit or do not use pesticides. Pesticides kill amphibians and insects that amphibians eat.
- Leave natural and artificial ground cover like dead wood in your backyard. Ground cover provides moist shelter for amphibians.
- If you have a pond, plant native aquatic vegetation. It provides food, refuge, and breeding habitat for amphibians.
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Don’t flush medicines down the toilet. Wastewater treatment plants don’t always remove pharmaceutical chemicals, which degrade water quality. Most medicines should be thrown in the trash or brought to a prescription drug take back location.
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Allow grass to grow into meadows. Closely mown lawns are poor habitat for amphibians and their invertebrate prey. Allowing areas of grass to develop as meadows provides habitat for amphibians and their prey. Meadows should be cut during winter and the cuttings raked up and placed on a compost heap.
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The Pennsylvania Governor’s Invasive Species Council will celebrate Pennsylvania Native Species Day on Tuesday, May 20 to showcase Pennsylvania’s native species; and highlight the importance of reducing invasive species to sustain a biodiverse ecosystem.
Organizations across the state are holding activities to celebrate Pennsylvania Native Species Day, including the following events at Pennsylvania state parks and forests:
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We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the brave individuals who responded to the Michaux State Forest wildfire. Over 150 volunteer fire departments from at least 10 counties and Maryland stepped up to help combat the fires.
The greatest danger of wildfires in Pennsylvania occurs during the spring months of March, April, and May, and the autumn months of October and November.
To help with restoring forests you can make a donation to the Keystone Tree Fund.
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Josh Shapiro, Governor | Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
www.pa.gov/dcnr
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