Pennsylvania WILDS Outdoor Recreation and Heritage Interpretation Plan

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) contracted with Fermata, Inc. in 2004 to develop a strategic recreation plan for DCNR lands within the Pennsylvania Wilds (Wilds). The Wilds encompasses over two million acres of public lands, managed by resource agencies such as DCNR, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. DCNR alone manages 27 state parks and eight state forests within the Wilds.

A critical component of the DCNR Outdoor Recreation Plan is the assessment of recreational trends in Pennsylvania and the larger market region (Pennsylvania and the adjacent five states), and to identify those recreations where DCNR has significant opportunities to connect to a broad constituency of recreational interests. A link to this assessment and its supporting documentation is provided below.

Another component of the Outdoor Recreation Plan is the preparation of two detailed Early Action Project plans that will allow DCNR to bring new products and programs to the market before the completion of the overall planning effort. Early Action Projects will allow DCNR to begin acting on exceptional opportunities at Cherry Springs State Park and in the Pine Creek Valley. Early Action plans include assessments of the recreational resources and opportunities for the sites; and recommend the steps that must be taken to take advantage of the opportunities. Links to these Early Action plans are provided below.

FERMATA's DRAFT Recreational Resources Inventory is now available (as of April 10, 2005):

This is an inventory of the recreation, natural and cultural sites in the PA Wilds. This raw data is provided for analysis and review. These sites have not been evaluated and assessed, so it is not possible at this point to use this data to infer a quality experience. Users are urged to wait until this data has been qualified to begin using it in marketing efforts or in other ways. The inventory is made up of spreadsheet workbooks for the following subjects: Unit Inventory, Interview Narrative, Unit Trails, Trail Summary, Special Areas, Special Fishing Designations, Annual and Monthly State Park Attendance, and State Forest and Park Staffing.

Pennsylvania Wilds Overview – A Region of Enormous Potential. Within the northcentral part of Pennsylvania you will find more than two million acres of public lands set aside for the public's enjoyment. Teeming with wildlife and offering unlimited recreation opportunities, this 13-county region includes some of the most wild and scenic areas in the Northeast. (126KB; PDF)

Quick facts about the Region - This fact sheet covers the Pennsylvania Wilds region, including general demographic information, public recreational opportunities and natural assets. (96KB; PDF)

By Cindy Loose
Washington Post, Sun. Dec. 12, 2004

BENEZETTE, Pa. - A massive bull elk with antlers the size of an SUV sits placidly among the petunias in a downtown yard. Perhaps he's tuckered out from the rigors of the fall rutting season. Then again, maybe he's come to town in a funk, depressed that he's alone while stronger bulls have gathered harems of up to 40 females. MORE

October 8. Governor Edward G. Rendell and members of his Task Force on the Pennsylvania WILDS outlined a new vision for encouraging growth in tourism and related businesses throughout Northcentral Pennsylvania by spotlighting the unique outdoor experiences available on the 2 million acres of public lands in the region. MORE

Governor Ed Rendell launched an initiative in late 2003 to encourage the growth of tourism and related-businesses in north central Pennsylvania based on the significant outdoor experiences available on the 2 million acres of public lands in this region. The goal of this effort is to promote these resources and protect them, consistent with the Commonwealth's stewardship responsibilities. The Governor chairs this cabinet-level Task Force on the Pennsylvania WILDS, as the region has been branded. The goals of the Task Force are to encourage the growth of outdoor and heritage tourism, promote the growth of private accommodations and service providers and, accelerate the implementation of the Elk Watching and Nature Tourism Plan . This recently-completed plan, which is focused on the five counties of the region that comprise the elk range, is a model for the broader mission of the Task Force. DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis is the lead cabinet official coordinating the work of the Task Force, which also includes the PA Tourism Office, PennDOT, DEP, Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, area legislators and regional organizations.

In August 2004, FERMATA Inc., was selected by Pennsylvania DCNR to prepare a Strategic Plan for Outdoor Recreation in the Pennsylvania Wilds Area of North Central Pennsylvania. The outdoor recreation planning process will build upon existing resource inventories and management plans, integrate DCNR and other public lands and programs in a coordinated, region-wide effort, and work toward developing and sustaining a broad-based initiative to stimulate the growth of outdoor and heritage tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds area of North Central Pennsylvania.

The heritage tourism and interpretive component of this work - that tells the story of the region's history including landscape scale restoration and today‚s sustainable forest management practices - will be accomplished under a separate contract with Pennsylvania's Lumber Heritage Region, Inc.. However, it is intended that the two planning efforts will be accomplished in tandem and that the results of the resource assessments and recommendations for future actions will be fully integrated.

FERMATA and DCNR recognize the importance that many residents of the region place upon maintaining the traditional way of life in their local communities. The positive local economic impacts that are expected to result from this effort will come in three forms: direct, associated (indirect and induced), and enabling. The direct impacts are related to expenditures that are directly related to the travel itself food, lodging, transportation, and travel services. There are additional impacts that are generated by the goods and services purchased by travellers that are not directly related to the travel itself. These associated impacts are often derived from the retail sector. Net new dollars contributed by travellers to the local economy may be invested in amenities that are valued by residents as well as visitors. If the region is to compete effectively for the human resources demanded by 21st Century industries, the amenity base (the quality of life) in the region must be improved.

A project of FERMATA Inc.
Contact FERMATA Project Manager Mary Jeanne Packer
802-287-4284

PENNSYLVANIA WILDS OUTDOOR RECREATION AND HERITAGE INTERPRETATION PLAN