A Conversation with PA DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is a gigantic operation. As the largest public landowner in the Commonwealth, DCNR manages millions of acres of land – including 124 state parks and 20 state forests.

But it doesn’t end there. DCNR also manages everything on those millions of acres. There’s the buildings, education centers, campgrounds, museums, playgrounds, cabins, yurts, pools, lakes and parking lots. And then there’s the hiking trails, bike paths, kayak launches, ATV trails, overlooks and vistas.

The list goes on and on and on.

With a staff of nearly 1,400 full-time and 1,300 seasonal employees, DCNR must cover day-to-day operations of these lands and facilities while also planning for the next 20 to 50 years. It’s an incredible amount of work that seems almost impossible address.

Luckily, we have someone leading the way. 

On the finale of our first season, I speak with Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. Cindy is the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

We kick off our first episode of the second season on January 3. I hope you’ll join us again. 

Support the show

Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. 

Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen
Music: Jon Sauer
Graphics: Matt Davis