DCNR seeking applicants for NextGen Advisory Council
Jul. 15—Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week announced the department is seeking applicants for its NextGen Advisory Council.
The council strives to cultivate a group of members with a broad range of cultures, experiences, and perspectives to inform the agency's work and advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Council members will aid in creating lasting change and necessary conditions to ensure all Pennsylvanians can connect to public lands, natural resources, recreation, and conservation.
"We are seeking candidates for the NextGen Advisory Council to assist in our mission of expanding access to outdoor recreation and ensuring public lands are welcoming to all," Dunn said. "This council is a great opportunity to learn more about DCNR, while also providing fresh, new ideas to help promote our beautiful state parks, forests, and other natural resources. We welcome applicants of all ages and look forward to hearing from those with a mind for the outdoors."
Apply for the council today
Applications will be accepted through July 31. This Council membership is a three-year term commitment, with the option to serve additional, consecutive term. Council members have the opportunity to participate in optional committees, networking, and special project meetings.
These are also held in the evenings on the third Tuesday of the month and scheduled in between quarterly meetings to further Council initiatives and encourage relationship building among DCNR staff and Council members.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about careers in conservation, gain additional knowledge and experience in outdoor activities and sports in parks, forests, and trails.
Council members will also meet and work with DCNR staff and leaders, obtain invaluable leadership experience, and help their communities by working with DCNR to serve all Pennsylvanians more effectively.
"We want people who are willing to share their ideas and perspectives," Dunn said. "Experience in conservation and government is not needed to apply. Our goal is to field a council of people who are willing to work together towards the goal of supporting the outdoors for all as we chart a path for future generations."
The council meets once every three months on the third Tuesdays of January, April, July and October. Meetings are virtual to reduce travel and promote accessibility. Members are expected to participate in at least 75 percent of meetings.
DCNR launched the NextGen Advisory Council in 2022 to increase public participation and expand its diversity of perspectives to help to inform DCNR programs and operations.
If you want to learn more about the council or have questions, please reach out at:
Visit DCNR's website for more information about the NextGen Advisory Council.
Working to make the outdoors more accessible for all people is a part of Pennsylvania's Outdoor Recreation Plan and the Penn's Parks for All strategic plan.
Some actions DCNR has taken to address DEI on public lands include:
—An ongoing employee training program.
—Utilizing GIS mapping to improve equity in grant-making.
—Studying park and open space access across the state.
—Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into the daily work of all areas within the agency.
For more information about DEI at DCNR, visit DCNR's website.
Penn State Extension hotline expands with
information on new pest and disease topics
A Penn State Extension toll-free hotline that provides quick updates on the latest disease and pest management issues for Pennsylvania vegetable, fruit and greenhouse growers has expanded to include new topics for the 2023 growing season.
While the hotline is designed primarily for growers who do not use computer technology to make timely crop management decisions, anyone can call 800-PENN-IPM (800-736-6476) to access pest and disease updates.
As experts in agriculture and horticulture, Penn State Extension faculty specialists and county-based educators record 90-second messages about critical concerns they see on produce farms and greenhouses across the state. The team meets regularly to discuss the latest production issues related to insects, diseases and plant nutrition. Messages typically are updated weekly or more frequently if needed.
These updates are distributed widely through newsletters, email and educational kiosks. Anyone with phone service can access the hotline, providing a way for Extension to reach the Plain community and other growers with important crop management information, noted Beth Gugino, professor of vegetable pathology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
The hotline was upgraded and expanded for 2023 to feature dedicated lines for the cut flower industry, for agronomic crops and industry updates, and for weather conditions and forecasts.
The hotline also features:
— Dedicated Spanish-language lines for vegetable, small fruit and tree-fruit updates.
— Dedicated lines for vegetable crops, such as onions and other Allium species, tomatoes and potatoes, sweet corn, and vine crops.
— Dedicated lines for small-fruit production, greenhouse integrated pest management, coronavirus management and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license updates.
— Separate lines for tree-fruit production and updates on disease, insect, horticulture and general industry issues.
— A directory of tree-fruit specialists and educators.
Each message line offers 90-seconds-worth of content for every subject. Previously, a more limited set of options addressed all these areas. Growers with diversified operations now can access specific information about a variety of horticultural crops.
Instructions for navigating the hotline are available on the Penn State Extension website at — https://extension.psu.edu/the-1-800-penn-ipm-hotline.
Extension educators noted that sometimes callers hang the instructions on the wall near the phone or on the refrigerator. Listeners can contact a county office of Penn State Extension to receive a printed copy of these instructions by mail.
Gugino said callers can reach out to their local extension educators to suggest topics that should be addressed or crops that should receive a dedicated message box on the hotline.
Back Woods Bass Results
Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River Tournament.
Week of July 10
Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake
Wednesday Night Lunker League
1st Place:. George Gendler Sr., 4.25 lbs.
2nd Place: Don Spencer, 3.02 lbs.
3rd Place: Greg Mikulski Sr., 2.84 lbs.
4th Place: George Gendler Jr., 2.78 lbs.
5th Place: Kyle Drake, 2.71 lbs.
6th Place: Cody Cutter, 2.55 lbs.
7th Place: George Hogan, 2.40 lbs.
8th Place: Dave Brill, 2.39 lbs.
9th Place: Barry Sult, 2.26 lbs.
10th Place: Joe Simko, 2.23 lbs.
—Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake
Friday Night Tournament
1st Place: Chuck Peterman/Rob Vales, 8.87 lbs.
2nd Place: George Gendler Jr. & Sr, 8.41 lbs.
3rd Place: Josh Colarusso/Larry Armbruster, 7.34.
4th Place: Dennis Knecht & Eric, 6.84 lbs.
5th Place: Jake Seymour, 6.82 lbs.
6th Place: Pete Sulla, 6.65 lbs.
7th Place: Nate Lyons/Emily Cross, 5.96 lbs.
Also won Lunker Award, 3.56 lbs.
8th Place: Dillon & Troy, 4.89 lbs.,
9th Place: Ryan Fox/Steve Jesso, 4.82 lbs.
10th Joe McGraw, 1.80 lbs.
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