PENNSYLVANIA, USA — With 121 State Parks, the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) noticed that it took a lot of energy to keep up services for visitors.
To reduce their carbon footprint the DCNR decided to switch over to produced or purchased renewable sources to run their state and local parks.
Mike Walsh, the Deputy Secretary of the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said, "As part of the sustainability work at the DCNR, we are installing solar installations at 41 state parks, and we will have 116 electric vehicle charging station plugs at our parks and forests."
This project spurs from Governor Wolf's 2019 initiative to fight against climate change across Pennsylvania.
To build off this initiative the DCNR's focus includes more solar installations, additional electric vehicle charging stations and the use of green buildings.
"Right now we have 18 high-performing green buildings. We are showing our visitors the different ways to increase energy efficiency through LED lighting, for example, better-insulated windows and better building envelopes," said Walsh.
Some parks statewide are already incorporating wind turbines and solar installations.
Locally though, you will begin to see the efforts at local parks like Gifford Pinchot State Park in Lewisberry, and Buchanan Park in Lancaster.
"We are transitioning to a clean energy future. Reducing the carbon footprint of the agency. We think it's important that everyone in Pa. understands what we are doing and why we are doing it," said Walsh.
Through this education, the DCNR hopes that more Pennsylvanians will incorporate sustainability practices in their own homes across the state.
"This initiative is important for climate resiliency," Walsh explained. "It is important that we do this, to make it better for all Pennsylvanians."
To keep up with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources click here to head over to their website.