Latest news with #DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cambria County trail celebrates being Pennsylvania's 2025 Trail of the Year
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A 14-mile stretch of trail tracing one of Pennsylvania's most devastating historic events has earned statewide recognition as the 2025 Trail of the Year. The Path of the Flood Trail in Cambria County, which follows the route of the 1889 Johnstown Flood, was honored by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for its unique combination of history, outdoor recreation, and economic impact. Officials celebrated the designation this week in South Fork, where the infamous flood began after the South Fork Dam failed. Drawing roughly 80,000 visitors annually, including international tourists, the trail has become an economic driver for the region, supporting small businesses and hosting events like the Path of the Flood Historic Races, which brings in nearly 1,000 participants each year. The trail's route includes the historic Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel constructed in the United States, and is part of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail network. Designed for multiple outdoor activities including hiking, biking, birdwatching, and winter recreation, the surface is a mix of crushed stone and pavement, making it accessible year-round. Maintained through a partnership between the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority, the National Park Service, and local volunteers and businesses, the trail exemplifies the benefits of community and interagency collaboration. The recognition comes amid a statewide push to expand and enhance Pennsylvania's trail system. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the outdoor recreation industry contributed $19 billion to the state's economy in 2023, supporting more than 168,000 jobs and generating $9 billion in wages. DCNR continues to work toward its goal of placing a trail within 10 minutes of every Pennsylvanian and has closed four of the state's top 10 priority trail gaps over the last two years. More information about the Path of the Flood Trail and upcoming events can be found on the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania state park closed as crews search for missing park ranger in creek
BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A Pennsylvania state park is closed Saturday as authorities are seeking a missing park ranger. Tyler State Park in Newtown Township, Bucks County closed Friday and remained closed Saturday evening. The park is about 22 miles northeast of center city Philadelphia and 36 miles southeast of the Lehigh Valley. According to State Police at Dublin, a boater — identified as a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) park ranger — was reported missing around midday Friday in the Neshaminy Creek. The ranger — a 38-year-old man from Delaware County — was in a kayak when his boat capsized. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Crews from across Bucks County and beyond, including State Police aviation and maritime units and the Bucks County Special Operations Dive Team are assisting in the search. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DCNR named new manager of Laurel Hill State Park complex in Southwestern PA
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Visitors to the Laurel Highlands will soon see a new face leading one of Pennsylvania's most scenic state park complexes. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has appointed Ben Monk as the new park operations manager for the Laurel Hill State Park Complex, which includes Laurel Hill, Laurel Ridge and Kooser state parks in southwestern Pennsylvania. Monk steps into the role with more than a decade of experience at DCNR, most recently serving as park manager at Beltzville State Park. His background also includes work in the U.S. Army and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. The Laurel Hill complex spans thousands of acres across Somerset County and is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, Civilian Conservation Corps legacy, and public land partnerships. Monk now oversees a wide range of park operations, from visitor services to resource management. The transition comes as former park operations manager Mike Mumau moves into a broader leadership role overseeing multiple state parks in the Laurel Highlands region, including the Laurel Hill complex, Ohiopyle and Keystone state parks. Monk holds a degree in Park and Recreation Management from California University of Pennsylvania and enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two sons. DCNR continues to promote Pennsylvania's public lands through the 'Great American Getaway' campaign, encouraging outdoor recreation and tourism across the Commonwealth. For more information on state park programs and events, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What animals are illegal to own in Alabama? Here's what the penalty could be if caught
Macon County, Ala. authorities responded to a two-car crash on Interstate 85 Wednesday morning caused by a furry, hopping marsupial. A kangaroo escaped its enclosure from a nearby resident, who kept it as a pet for a local petting zoo. While it's not common to spot these Australian natives in Alabama, their non-native status in the state makes them illegal to own as pets. What other animals are prohibited to keep as pets in Alabama? Here's what we know: The state has banned the possession, sale or release of dozens of animals and fish that officials say could harm local ecosystems or pose risk to people. The list includes notorious species like walking catfish, black carp and venomous snakes not naturally found in Alabama. It also covers animals already listed as dangerous under federal law. The regulations aim to protect Alabama's native ecosystems from environmental damage and threats to public safety. In Alabama, it is illegal to own or transport animals unless you are a licensed game breeder or have a special permit such as: Tegu Mongooses Jackrabbits San Juan rabbits Deer Elk Coyotes Raccoons Foxes Skunks Bobcats Wild pigs Wild turkey Mountain lion Bears Kangaroos Nonindigenous venomous reptiles Protected wild birds The law even covers releasing non-native species of seafood into public waters. You must also have written permission from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to intentionally stock or release seafood into the waters they originate from. There are exceptions for farmers raising turkeys for personal use and for accredited research or wildlife rehab centers, but only with written permission from the state. In Alabama, there are significant penalties if you are caught possessing or importing a banned animal. There are fines up to $5,000 and jail time of up to 30 days as it is a Class C misdemeanor. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What animals are banned in Alabama and what happens if you're caught?
Hamilton Spectator
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Alabama governor signs shark bite alert system into law named after teen who survived attack
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A new shark alert system, inspired by a teen who survived an attack last year, that warns beachgoers when a shark has bitten someone in the vicinity will be established in Alabama under legislation signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday. The system will issue a public notice to cellphones when there's been a shark attack nearby. The law is named after Mountain Brook teenager Lulu Gribbin, who was one of three people bitten by a shark during a string of attacks off the Florida Panhandle last year. She lost her left hand and a portion of her right leg in the attack. Gribbin, now 16, visited the Alabama Statehouse to urge lawmakers to approve the warning system. She said she would not have been in the water if she knew a woman had been bitten just a few miles away about an hour earlier. 'This bill will help prevent future attacks,' Gribbin said last month about the legislation. 'It's like an Amber Alert when a child goes missing. It will send an alert when there has been a shark attack.' Gribbin was with Ivey as she signed the bill, named the Lulu Gribbin Shark Alert System Act, in a private ceremony in the governor's office. 'Alabama is proud to have the safest and most beautiful beaches in the world,' Ivey said in a statement Tuesday. 'The added tool of having a shark alert system will help officials in Baldwin and Mobile counties keep our beachgoers safe and enjoying the refreshing waters of our Gulf of America.' Supporters said the legislation will be an added measure of assurance for those headed to the beach. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will create rules for the new alert system, according to the legislation. An earlier version would have allowed an alert for an 'imminent danger' when sharks are spotted near the shoreline. However, since sharks are commonly found in waters off Alabama and Florida, beach communities were concerned that would cause excessive alerts, causing panic and hurting coastal tourism. The alerts will only be issued along the Alabama coast. Supporters said they hope other states will pursue similar systems or that federal legislation will expand its use. Gribbin described the attack after speaking to a legislative committee last month. She and her friend had been diving for sand dollars and riding the Gulf waves when her friend screamed, 'shark!' 'My hand was bitten first. I remember just lifting it out of the water, and I was stunned because there was no hand there,' she recalled. 'I couldn't feel it because of all the shock I was in. Then the shark latched onto my leg.' Over 260,000 fans have been following her recovery on social media, including prosthetic leg fittings and physical therapy — as well as milestones such as going to a high school dance and her first trip back to the beach. Experts say attacks are rare despite sharks' prevalence in places like the Gulf. There were 47 unprovoked shark bites worldwide — including four fatalities — in 2024, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History's shark research program.
