1. Conservation Has Value…..Your work.. To our lives, our experiences, and our communities DCNR and the Bureau of State Parks is committed to these values

2. What are those Conservation value added benefits?.......... Health Social Benefits Economics Property Values

3. Conservation Values: Urban crime/ child adjudication vs. open space School taxes vs. Increased property values Education Drain vs. people living where they play first, then work!

4. DCNR’s commitment to conservation dates to long ago.

5. Trout Fishing in Linn Run State Park

6. TU Trout in the Classroom

7. Stream Chemistry

8. Collecting Insects

9. Identifying Insects

10. Having some fun

11. Protecting Rare Plants

12. The Pa. Bureau of State Park: Best in the Nation 2009 -2011

13. Pa State Parks Economic Impact to your community: Penn State University 33.6 Million visitors in 2010 Visitors Spent $738 million 10,551 jobs For every $1 tax dollar State Parks return $9 to the Pennsylvania Economy.

14. Laurel Highlands Region State Parks Alone Laurel Mountain, Laurel Summit, and Linn Run State Parks Visitors spent: $6,000,000 in the region through sales In 2010 Jobs created through these venues: Jobs created through these venues:80

15. Add Ohiopyle, Keystone, Laurel Ridge, Kooser and Laurel Hill State Parks The economic impact through visitor spending in 2010 $50.75 million Jobs created in all of Laurel Highlands State Parks: 514

17. Today we work with partnerships with common goals Through the Conservation Landscape Initiative: Heritage Areas, State Parks, State Forests, Chambers, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, and Volunteers we…………….

18. Thanks to you: Our Parks and Forests, and Heritage Areas Matter We value your support and input

19. Questions Questions Comments? Thank You