HARRISBURG - A series of six regional meetings will be held to seek public input on how the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is carrying out the goals and actions contained in its strategic plan, Shaping a Sustainable Pennsylvania - DCNR's Blueprint for Action, and what the agency's priorities should be for the future.

The sessions will be hosted by the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council.

One of the sessions will be held locally, on Tuesday, September 9, 2:30 – 5:00. At the PPL Lake Wallenpaupack EE Center, near Hawley.

"DCNR leadership traveled throughout the state five years ago to gather ideas from nearly 2,000 Pennsylvanians to help develop a course for the agency's future," said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "That feedback helped to create our strategic plan and now we'd like to know from citizens how they think we are doing as we work to carry out the goals that we outlined."

The four broad goals of the strategic plan are:

*        Improve stewardship and management of state parks and forests;

*        Promote statewide land conservation;

*        Build and maintain sustainable and attractive communities; 

*        Create outdoor connections for citizens and visitors.

Detailed information about the plan can be found at: www.dcnr.state.pa.us (choose the "Shaping DCNR's Future" icon).

Written comments, via e-mail to jdupes@state.pa.us, will be accepted until Nov. 5.