The Conestoga River in southeastern Pennsylvania was named Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year.
Submitted photo
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week visited Lancaster County to recognize the Conestoga River in southeastern Pennsylvania as Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year.
“The Conestoga River is a great example of what can happen when we prioritize clean, healthy waterways — making its selection as Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year a very well-deserved honor,” Dunn said. “The Conestoga River Club and its volunteers have done amazing work to steward this river, and the river has become a hub for outdoor recreation. Thank you to the staff and volunteers for the conservation work on the Conestoga, which has provided an economic boost to the region and helped demonstrate that rivers build thriving communities.”
The Conestoga flows for more than 61 miles, from its headwaters in Berks County down to the Susquehanna River below the Safe Harbor Dam. It threads past historic covered bridges, working farms, and small towns — a living landscape of culture, recreation, and history that belongs to all of us.
The public selected the Conestoga as River of the Year, which beat out the Lower Schuylkill River and the Chillisquaque Creek. The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), managed by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, oversees administration of the vote and works in collaboration with DCNR.
The Conestoga River Club nominated the Conestoga River and received a $15,000 Leadership Grant to help fund a slate of year-long 2026 River of the Year activities. DCNR and POWR will work with them to create a free, commemorative poster celebrating the Conestoga River as the 2026 Pennsylvania River of the Year.
One of Lancaster County’s most scenic waterways, the Conestoga is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. The Conestoga River Watershed covers hundreds of square miles and drains a mix of agricultural lands, towns, and growing suburbs — which means both rich heritage and real restoration challenges the Conestoga River Club actively manages.
Senate approves bill encouraging hunters to return to PA
Legislation aimed at bringing those born in Pennsylvania home for hunting and outdoor recreation has passed the Senate.
The measure is sponsored by Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34).
“Pennsylvania outdoor recreation is second to none and the sportsmen who grew up here know that better than anyone,” Rothman said. “My proposal would encourage them to come back to the commonwealth by offering these hunters licenses at resident prices.”
Currently, a resident adult pays $20.97 for a hunting license and a non-resident adult pays $101.97, which includes one antlered deer tag, one fall turkey tag, one spring turkey tag and small game privileges for one license year.
With hunting license sales on a steady decline, offering resident rates to native Pennsylvanians living elsewhere will allow them to join family and friends in time-honored traditions, it will also benefit conservation and the Pennsylvania economy.
“My bill would encourage those who have moved away to reengage with hunting and the local economy in the commonwealth,” Rothman stated. “Our outdoor heritage, wildlife, and our natural resources are a key part of bringing people back to Pennsylvania.”
Senate Bill 1313 can now be considered by the House of Representatives.
DCNR makes state parks and forests more accessible for all visitors
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week announced the installation of new and expanded accessibility tools across Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.
These improvements include new online accessibility planning tools, communication boards, colorblind glasses, and Handy Talker communication lanyards, along with continued investments in accessible trails, boat launches, hunting areas, wildlife viewing areas, and playgrounds.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of the outdoors,” Dunn said. “DCNR is focused on improving the experience for the millions of visitors of all ability levels who spend time in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests each year. Governor Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro strongly believe in this work and continue to champion efforts that expand access and inclusion across our public lands. We are grateful for their support as we advance these important initiatives for all Pennsylvanians.”
Communication boards are located at:
Black Moshannon State Park
Codorus State Park
Cowans Gap State Park
Frances Slocum State Park
Kinzua Bridge State Park
Presque Isle State Park
Ridley Creek State Park
DCNR also announced major updates to its accessible recreation website pages. More than 100 state park and forest webpages now list detailed accessibility features.
These pages continue to be updated and include information about accessible facilities and amenities such as lodging, pavilions, water access, fishing access, hiking, hunting, beaches, loaner equipment, colorblind viewfinders, wildlife watching areas, theaters, amphitheaters, and environmental education centers.
A new search function allows visitors to filter locations by the specific accessibility features they are looking for.
Other noteworthy accessibility initiatives include:
• Visitors with red-green colorblindness may also borrow EnChroma glasses at Black Moshannon and Oil Creek State Parks, allowing users to experience a broader range of clear and vibrant colors during their visit.
• DCNR Rangers are now using Handy Talker communication cards, which use full-color picture communication symbols with English and Spanish text to support nonverbal individuals, language learners, and visitors who may need assistance during their visit.
• DCNR continues to expand Spanish-language materials and offers a Spanish Language Recreation Guide covering Pennsylvania’s 125 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forestlands. The guide was developed through DCNR’s Mosaic initiative, which promotes inclusive and welcoming outdoor experiences for all visitors. The agency also provides educational and exploration materials in Spanish covering state parks, state forests, and Pennsylvania geology.
As part of the ongoing expansion of accessible recreation opportunities, Pennsylvania now offers more than 120 miles of ADA accessible trails in state parks and 82 miles in state forests.
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) continues to play a vital role in expanding accessible outdoor recreation across Pennsylvania’s state parks and state forests. PPFF supports barrier removal, skill building, and broader access to outdoor activities. The organization has supported the installation of accessible boat launches at several state parks, including Beltzville, Chapman, Hills Creek, Laurel Hill, Nockamixon, Little Buffalo, and Prince Gallitzin.
PPFF has also supported a range of accessible features and equipment in state parks and state forests, including pool and beach wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs, all terrain wheelchairs, accessible fishing docks, accessible hunting areas, kayak and canoe launches, playgrounds, wildlife viewing areas, and colorblind viewfinders and glasses.