BENSALEM, PA — Pennsylvania conservation and labor officials joined members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps on Wednesday to plant 250 trees at Neshaminy State Park, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary while highlighting the expansion of a workforce development program that has trained more than 1,500 young people for conservation careers.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker participated in the tree planting at Eagles Forest, a long-running environmental partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles. The event also showcased the Shapiro administration’s $5 million investment in the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps included in the 2024-25 state budget, which expanded training opportunities and added new regional crews, including a Philadelphia American Sign Language Inclusion Crew.
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps provides paid conservation work experience and job training for people ages 15 to 25 through a partnership between DCNR and the Student Conservation Association, with support from the Department of Labor & Industry and private organizations. Since its launch, participants have gained hands-on experience while improving public lands across the Commonwealth.
“Like the trees we are planting today, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is our way to invest in the future of conservation in the Commonwealth,” Dunn said. She cited the new Philadelphia-based American Sign Language Inclusion Crew as an example of expanding access to conservation careers.
Walker said the program prepares young people for careers in conservation, public service and the skilled trades by providing practical work experience.
“The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps gives young people the opportunity to build real skills, gain meaningful work experience, and explore careers that make a difference in their communities,” Walker said.
Eagles Forest was established in 2007 as part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Go Green initiative, which focuses on reducing the organization’s environmental impact and promoting conservation. The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation funded this year’s tree planting through donations generated by New Trail Brewing’s Replenish Beer program and People First Federal Credit Union’s paperless statement initiative.
Modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps, the program operates six-week youth crews for participants ages 15 to 18 and 10-month crews for adults ages 18 to 25 at locations across Pennsylvania. State officials said the program also seeks participants from underserved communities to broaden access to conservation careers.
As of the start of the 2026 season, Outdoor Corps members had improved more than 5,200 acres of land, maintained more than 1,000 miles of trails, restored 50 miles of waterways, planted nearly 19,000 native trees and shrubs, and earned more than 1,100 certifications. Alumni have gone on to careers with organizations including DCNR, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
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