Adaptive Management For Penn’s Woods

Today, there are many changes and challenges facing the forests and DCNR’s work. The link between land management, conservation, clean water, and connecting young people to the outdoors is critical to solving today’s environmental issues. --- Cindy Adams Dunn is the Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), returning to the agency where she worked under three governors in multiple positions over the last two decades. Dunn served as DCNR’s Deputy Secretary of Conservation and Technical Services from 2007-2013, where she led DCNR's conservation landscape program and oversaw the community conservation partnerships grant program, which provides $30-$60 million annually for conservation and recreation throughout the commonwealth. Dunn's other leadership posts at DCNR include director of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, as well as director of the Office of Education, Communications and Partnerships. For two years in the mid ‘90s, Dunn joined DCNR for the first time as director of community relations and environmental education. Dunn's other leadership roles include serving as the executive director of Audubon Pennsylvania from 1997-2003 and as the Pennsylvania program director for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for 10 years. From November 2013 to June of 2015, Dunn served as the president and chief executive officer of PennFuture, a statewide environmental advocacy organization. Dunn has been recognized with numerous awards for her leadership in conservation including: - The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Frances E. Flanigan Environmental Leadership Award - Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year - Cumberland County Conservation District Conservationist of the Year - The Appalachian Audubon Society Conservationist of the Year Dunn holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biology from Shippensburg University. She and her husband, Craig, reside in Cumberland County. When not championing the efforts of DCNR, Dunn enjoys the natural and recreation resources the agency works hard to protect and promote through hobbies that include birding, canoeing, fishing, and hiking. As the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s State Forester, Ellen Shultzabarger, oversees the 2.2 million acres the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry manages, conserving native plants, promoting timber yields and protecting clean water, plant and wildlife biodiversity. Previously she worked on oil and gas management, restoration, wildlife management and recreation planning as the Bureau’s Chief of Conservation Science and Ecological Resources. Prior to joining the Bureau of Forestry 15 years ago, Ellen worked for the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife, Tufts University and the National Wildlife Federation. She earned a graduate certification in urban environmental planning and policy from Tufts University and holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from Ohio State University.