Powerful landscape changes over the last two decades are threatening both wildlife and their habitats in a way that could forever alter Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage, according to a recent report commissioned by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

“Pennsylvania’s Wildlife and Wild Places: Our Outdoor Heritage in Peril” describes development impacts on wildlife habitat and discusses habitat threats and trends. The 32-page report culminates a three-year collaborative effort by the three conservation organizations, the then-Governor’s Sportsmen’s Advisory Council, and DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council to examine the condition of Pennsylvania’s wildlife habitat.

“This report confirms that land development changes over the last few decades are resulting in a different and more permanent impact that is changing the face of our landscapes and habitats at a rate that is both destructive and unsustainable,” said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. “This data is definitely a wake-up call. We need to do something fast to stop the loss, or the wildlife we enjoy today will be seen only in photographs by our grandchildren.”

The report suggests that lands lost to development are three times greater than lands being conserved. Pennsylvania is estimated to lose around 120,000 acres each year, even though population growth is relatively flat. Because of declining acreage of core forest areas, farmlands and grasslands as well as pollution of Pennsylvania’s waterways, species that depend on these habitats are being adversely affected.

The report chronicles how Pennsylvania’s landscape and species have changed over the 300 years since William Penn arrived. It credits a conservation movement spearheaded by sportsmen that took hold in the late 1880s for turning around the decimation of forests, streams and wildlife by early settlers.

The report suggests that while the state recovered from the early exploitation of resources, powerful new threats in the last two decades—sprawl, acid rain, exotic forest pests, invasive species, deer overpopulation, acid mine drainage—are permanently changing the face of landscapes and wildlife habitat across Pennsylvania.

“This report will help promote public understanding of this issue and hopefully make a strong case for a larger investment in conservation funding in the future,” Secretary DiBerardinis said.

The report suggests five recommendations to preserve Pennsylvania outdoor heritage, maintain the economic value of wildlife-linked recreation, and sustain rural economies that depend on forests, farms, and outdoor tourism:

Protect the best of what remains of Pennsylvania’s major habitat types. Clear conservation priorities must be set to determine what species need greatest protection.

Restore and improve degraded or impaired habitats. Efforts should concentrate on restoring wetlands and streams, reclaiming surface mine lands with grassland habitat, controlling invasive species, and keeping deer populations in check.

Work cooperatively to conserve privately owned, working resource lands. Provide assistance to private landowners to encourage better land stewardship on working lands.

Strengthen species inventory, monitoring and research programs. Gain a deeper scientific understanding of Pennsylvania’s 25,000-plus species in order to identify declining species, critical habitats and conservation priorities.
Promote environmentally responsible land use. Incorporate open space and habitat needs into planning codes, concentrate development away from sensitive areas, and foster productive use of cities and towns.

“This report points out the crisis we have in wildlife management today: the significant loss of habitat that impacts Pennsylvania’s native wildlife,” said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. The report is available on DCNR’s web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/pawildlifebook/index.htm.