Why Conserve?
One hundred years ago, Pennsylvania looked dramatically different than today. Mountains were stripped of their woodlands. Streams were choked with debris, sediment and pollution. Native species disappeared.
Thankfully, at crossroads that could have led to total destruction of Pennsylvania’s natural beauty and renewable resources, an environmental movement took hold, and reversed a dangerous trend.
Today, we are at those same crossroads. While our threats may not be as visual as a denuded landscape or sediment clogged stream, they are just as dangerous. Invasive species, forest fragmentation, species loss, climate change, are all threatening our open spaces, biodiversity, forests and trees, and lakes and waterways.
The good news is these threats are creating a heightened sense of environmental awareness as we begin this century. Citizens, businesses, organizations, governments, countries are paying attention and beginning a green movement that could rival any that has been done in the past.
Penn's Woods
Explore some of Pennsylvania's oldest forests.
© 2007 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources