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Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces.

October 15, 2025

Featured Project: Land Conservation Expands Prime Fall Foliage Viewing
trees in the Laurel Highlands show off yellow and red fall colors against a blue sky
fall foliage along a trail in Forbes State Forest
With cooler temperatures arriving, many Pennsylvanians are traveling the Commonwealth to experience the stunning colors of fall.
Few places put on a better display than the forests of the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape in southwestern Pennsylvania. Spanning Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties, the Laurel Highlands are rich with fall color, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities.
The region has been highlighted as one of the best leaf-peeping locales nationwide. For five years running, USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards have ranked the Laurel Highlands in its top ten places in the country for fall foliage viewing.
Working with local partners, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has funded the protection of more than 950 acres in this region since 2022. These projects have conserved spaces not only for public enjoyment of lush fall landscapes, but for their year-round natural value.
In 2022, for example, DCNR awarded a grant to the Mountain Watershed Association for the purchase of 192 acres bordering Indian Creek and Rasler Run, a Class A Wild Trout stream.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy similarly conserved roughly 790 acres in North Union Township, Fayette County in part through a 2023 DCNR grant. This property expanded public access as an addition to Forbes State Forest.
Both grants were supported by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
To find more fall color opportunities in Pennsylvania, check out DCNR’s weekly fall foliage report.

Nominations Open for 2026 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year
Pennsylvanians have the chance to put their favorite trail in the spotlight with open nominations for the Commonwealth’s 2026 Trail of the Year.
“Trails are an important part of what makes Pennsylvania a special place for outdoor recreation, and we are excited to open up nominations for this prestigious honor,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.
To be considered, a nomination form and supporting documentation must be submitted online by October 31. The winning trail will be recognized with:
  • News release
  • Commemorative poster for statewide distribution
  • Trailhead marker along the trail
  • Grant for educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection
Each year, the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee designates a Trail of the Year to highlight the value of Pennsylvania’s trail network, build public support, and raise awareness of the economic, environmental, and health benefits trails bring to communities.
The 2025 Trail of the Year was the Path of the Flood Trail in Cambria County, a 14-mile corridor that traces the historic route of the 1889 Johnstown Flood.

Featured Project: Land and Water Conservation Fund Supports Natural Resources and Recreation Opportunities in Cumberland County
Welcome sign for Spring Meadows Park with playground in background
elevated view of the playground equipment at Spring Meadows Park
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Stateside Program is a federal funding source distributed to all states by the National Park Service. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the LWCF program. The funding protects natural resources and expands outdoor recreation opportunities in local communities across the United States.
LWCF is one of the oldest funding sources for these types of projects. It has funded more than 1,600 park projects across Pennsylvania since 1965.
The results of that long-lasting funding are evident in Cumberland County. In 1978, LWCF funding helped purchase more than 30 acres to become South Middleton Township Park. A few years later, LWCF funding helped pay for recreation amenities at the site, further enhancing the park’s value as a community asset.
Today, the park connects via trail to a more recent LWCF-funded site, Spring Meadows Park. The result: two quality parks and a network of trails for the public to enjoy.
Across Pennsylvania, similar success stories show the impacts the LWCF Stateside Program has had. From land protection to recreation development, the program continues to strengthen park systems, build connections, and partner with local governments to provide access to outdoor spaces.

Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee Seeks New Members
An A T V and two four-wheelers drive on a forest road
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking passionate trail advocates to help shape the future of Pennsylvania trails. There are four open seats on the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee (PTAC), a statewide leadership group that guides trail strategy, funding, and development priorities.
PTAC has four openings for three-year terms starting in 2026:
  • Four-wheel driving
  • ATV riding
  • Two members at large (general trail advocates)
Those interested in volunteering should submit a letter of interest and resume via email to RA-explorepatrails@pa.gov.
Applications are due October 31.

Dan Pierce Promoted to Section Chief of the Land Conservation, Project Monitoring and Stewardship Section
Dan Pierce headshot photo
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) congratulates Dan Pierce on his promotion to Section Chief of the Land Conservation, Project Monitoring and Stewardship Section.
Dan joined DCNR in 2007 in the Bureau of Facility Design and Construction, where he coordinated land acquisitions for state parks and forests. He joined the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation in 2015, where he has supported land protection efforts, most recently as the Highlands Program Specialist.
Dan spends much of his free time exploring the Commonwealth and recreating on public lands.

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