The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced $7.3 million in grant awards for organizations and projects across the 13-county Pennsylvania Wilds region that help to advance local efforts to grow the region’s tourism and outdoor recreation sectors in a sustainable way.  

The investments were selected through a statewide competitive process as part of the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), a grant program DCNR administers annually. 

This year’s C2P2 grants in the PA Wilds region cover a range of projects and partnerships, from providing funding for regional organizations that are helping to coordinate outdoor recreation, tourism and heritage development partnership networks, programs, mini grant programs and other critical capacity, to specific projects in individual communities related to stewardship, planning, and developing tourism, recreation and heritage assets. 

The PA Wilds Center received a grant for $300,000 to coordinate and fund activities of the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape; promote outdoor recreation, public lands, and conservation; and engage youth in the outdoors.

PA Wilds Center CEO Ta Enos applauded the Commonwealth’s continued investments in outdoor recreation and tourism in rural PA. “Whether it’s a rehabilitated community pool in Wellsboro or Bradford, a new stretch of trail in Clinton County or an accessible kayak launch on the Allegheny in Tidioute, C2P2 dollars show up in places people use every day,” Enos said. “DCNR has been a foundational partner in the PA Wilds for more than twenty years. This program is one of the most direct ways it invests in our communities and in the regional work that ties them together.” 

The outdoor recreation economy is a $20.4 billion industry in Pennsylvania, which now supports more than 176,000 jobs statewide, according to a 2026 report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Outdoor recreation economy stats – which are broader than tourism statistics because they include the manufacturing of outdoor products and other categories – are not available at the regional or county level. Tourism statistics are available, however, and they show that tourism remained steady at a $2.1 billion industry in the PA Wilds in 2025, according to the most recent Tourism Economics report released by the PA Tourism Office.

“Outdoor recreation brings visitors to our region who support local businesses, and it also helps make rural Pennsylvania a place people choose to live, work and raise their families,” Enos said. “That matters to every employer in the PA Wilds that’s trying to recruit and keep good people. We’re grateful to our state legislators for their continued support of C2P2. It’s great to see so many small towns compete for these grants and win them.”  

“DCNR supports the PA Wilds unique approach to advancing Pennsylvania’s Conservation Landscape Program priorities: collaboration that drives strategic advances in sustainability, conservation, community revitalization, and outdoor recreation,” said Katie Hess, Director of DCNR’s Conservation Landscapes Program. “This approach maximizes the wealth of natural, historic, and cultural resources in our mighty rural communities and helps connect the public to places that are authentically Pennsylvania.

“The PA Wilds Conservation Landscape includes 2 million acres of public lands that draw millions of visitors annually,” said Chris Nicholas, DCNR Regional Forester and Internal Lead to the PA Wilds.  “At DCNR, we support the collaborative approach of leading in a way that leverages both public and private strengths to enhance rural economies while promoting the working forests that have been, and continue to be the backbone of the region.”

The DCNR C2P2 is funded by a variety of state and federal funding sources, including: the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key); the Environmental  Stewardship Fund (ESF); the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) subject to National Park Service approval; the federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program Fund (PRT); the federal USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program (IRA); and the Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program (HA). 

Along with the PA Wilds Center, other statewide and regional agencies that received grants within the PA Wilds landscape include the Keystone Trails Association, Lumber Heritage Region, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance, and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership.

Read the list of 2026 C2P2 grant recipients in the PA Wilds region below. The full press release from DCNR can be found here and a full list of grant recipients throughout the state here.

Centre

ClearWater Conservancy of Central PA, Inc., $95,800, Installation of approximately 5.5 acres of meadows and/or upland trees on non-profit lands along Spring Creek in Center County. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements.

ClearWater Conservancy of Central PA, Inc., $49,700, Prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 149.1-acre Rhonymeade property in Potter Township, Centre County. Work to include an electronic written report and site development drawing.

Clarion

Paint Township, $180,000, Payment towards the acquisition of approximately 1.95 acres in Paint Township, Clarion County for open space, passive recreation and access to the Clarion River.

Clinton

Clinton County, $373,900, Development of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail in Castanea Township to Pine Creek Township, Clinton County. Work to include construction of approximately 0.59 miles of trail from Phase 2 to Wayne Township Park; rehabilitation of 3 bridges; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

Lycoming

Ducks Unlimited Inc., $400,000, Restoration of the 85-acre Ridge Wetland and streambank stabilization for the Perimeter Wetland on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Washington and Brady townships, Lycoming County. Work to include wetland restoration, streambank stabilization; project sign and other related site improvements.

McKean

Bradford City, $600,000, Rehabilitation of Barcroft Pool Bathhouse in Bradford City, McKean County. Work to include renovation of bathhouse, pedestrian walkways, parking area and access drive; installation of filtration and recirculation system and utilities; ADA access, project sign and other related site improvements.

Kane Borough, $93,200, Design for the rehabilitation of Kane Gateway Trestle in Kane Borough, McKean County. Work to include drawings, specifications and related documents.

Tioga

Blossburg Borough, $69,700, Rehabilitation of Island Park in Blossburg Borough, Tioga County. Work to include renovation of tennis courts; installation of bleachers and stormwater management measures; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

Wellsboro Borough, $425,000, Rehabilitation of Packer Park Pool in Wellsboro Borough, Tioga County. Work to include renovation of wading pool and decking; installation of filtration and recirculation systems, shade structures and utilities; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

Warren

Tidioute Borough, $97,500, Rehabilitation and further development of Tidioute Boat Launch along the Allegheny River in Tidioute Township, Warren County. Work to include rehabilitation of a boat launch and parking area; construction of an accessible kayak launch; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

Warren County, $132,500, Development of the Warren County Bike-Hike Trail in Conewango Township, Warren County. Work to include construction of approximately 0.5 miles of trail from the intersection of N. State St. and Rt. 62 to the Warren Mall complex, a bridge and a trailhead; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

Statewide/Regional

HeritagePA, $81,500, Coordinate Heritage PA initiatives including implementation of the Heritage PA Strategic Plan. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Keystone Trails Association, $250,100, Coordinate trail-related events and communications; advance and expand the 2027 Trail Care Program; coordinate trail maintenance events and trainings; support staff and volunteer training; and develop a Central Pennsylvania Accessible Adventure Guide. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Lumber Heritage Region of PA, Inc., $579,500, Manage the heritage area and heritage area initiatives including the 2027 mini-grant program; conduct education programs and marketing campaigns; support sensory trail development in Curwensville Borough, Clearfield County; support forest art installation in McKean County; develop a forest-based culinary program; and support conservation of a historic train station and pedestrian bridge in Bellefonte Borough, Centre County. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Inc., $300,000, Conduct an economic impact assessment of gravel biking; update mapping of dirt and gravel roads open for biking; convene a gravel biking summit; conduct trail maintenance trainings; advance regional trail planning in southcentral and western Pennsylvania; continue development of the PATrailFinder dataset; coordinate and fund the 2027 Cycling Activation Mini-grant program and the 2027 Circuit Trails Community mini-grant program. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Inc., $85,000, Coordinate and fund the PA Water Trails Program including the 2027 mini-grant program and provide outreach and technical assistance to water trail managers. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling Association, $241,200, Coordinate and manage the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League; support the establishment of new and diverse teams; expand local riding opportunities by establishing trails and affordable events; support a bicycle purchase assistance program; and expand Teen Trail Corps Stewardship Program. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, Inc., $300,000, Coordinate and fund the 2028 Pennsylvania River Sojourn and River of the Year programs and provide outreach and technical assistance to watershed organizations. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, Inc., $200,000, Provide technical assistance, training and support to friends groups, volunteers and state parks and forests; promote recreation, visitation and engagement through public outreach activities; advance projects that advance SCORP, Penn’s Parks for All and PA Outdoor Corps goals; coordinate the Conservation Heritage Project and Healthy Lands Week initiatives including the development of story maps; and produce resources, materials and special events to support park and forest activities. Work to include a written summary report.

Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society, Inc., $298,100, Coordinate and fund recreation and park education and technical assistance programs including the statewide “Good” marketing campaign; support professional development including the 2028 PRPS Annual Conference; further implement the PA Park Maintenance Institute’s business plan; facilitate DCNR staff development; revise and republish a series of recreation and park resource manuals; and administer the Recreation and Parks Technical Assistance Program. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Pennsylvania Route 6 Alliance, $572,100, Manage the heritage area and heritage area initiatives including the 2027 mini-grant program; support tourism promotion and marketing campaign; support a forest art installation in McKean County; provide technical assistance to PA Route 6 Heritage Communities and support for PA Heart & Soul Program; and continue to promote the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Pennsylvania Trout, Inc., $180,600, Coordinate and fund activities of the Pennsylvania Coldwater Heritage Partnership including the 2027 mini-grant program; plan and host the 2029 Keystone Coldwater Conference; and provide training and technical assistance on Pennsylvania’s coldwater stream issues. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., $300,000, Coordinate and fund activities of the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape; promote outdoor recreation, public lands, and conservation; and engage youth in the outdoors. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, $299,800, Coordinate and fund activities of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership including the 2027 mini-grant program; update the organization’s strategic plan; conduct outreach, technical assistance, and special events; and manage the West Branch and Lower North Branch Susquehanna River Water Trails. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

WeConservePA, $550,000, Provide Conservation Easement Assistance Program grants to support completion of conservation, recreation and trail easements; amend and restate easements; install signs on eased land; and provide assistance for landowner outreach and project planning and for due diligence and other costs of readying land acquisition projects for closing. Work to include an electronic written summary report.

WeConservePA, $550,000, Provide technical assistance to conservation organizations and local government officials including conferences, roundtables, and other training events; develop conservation guidance documents; and provide GIS mapping and analysis support. Work to include an electronic written summary report.