10 Minute Walk

Communities of Practice

Advancing Recreation-Oriented Conservation in Pennsylvania

Parks, trails, and open space contribute to healthy, flourishing communities and can be powerful tools for helping to enact residents’ local visions. That’s why Trust for Public Land is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to offer virtual workshops that explore the benefits, opportunities, and best practices for protecting and expanding natural resources across the Commonwealth. 

Register for our first session, Tools for Evaluating Park Equity and Access in Pennsylvania, today! 

Register by January 21

Program Overview

Are you a conservation professional or open space advocate in Pennsylvania who is passionate about how outdoor recreation can boost economic vitality, improve quality of life, support public health, and protect community resilience? 

Advancing Conservation-Oriented Recreation is an opportunity to join a network of practitioners and advocates who are exploring strategies, funding opportunities, and practices to ensure all communities have equal access to open space and outdoor recreation. By joining this cohort, you will have access to: 

    1. Virtual webinars to enhance local capacity for impactful open space equity strategies and policies; 
    2. Subject matter experts and case studies to strengthen your local approach to open space equity; 
    3. Opportunities to learn about funding options to help implement conservation and recreation projects; and 
    4. Peer support and networking to increase knowledge exchange and deepen collaboration. 

Program Structure

This cohort invites municipal and regional agencies, conservation and open space nonprofits, and outdoor recreation partners from across the Pennsylvania Commonwealth to register.   

Each 60-minute virtual webinar will feature panel presentations and interactive peer learning opportunities. You’re welcome to join any session that interests you—attendance for all sessions is not required. 

Session Topics:

We will meet on quarterly on the fourth Thursday of each month at 12 PM ET.

  • January 22, 2026 – Tools for Evaluating Park Equity and Access in PA
  • April 23, 2026 – Open Space as a Catalyst for Community Impact
  • July 23, 2026 – Strategies for Community-Led Conservation
  • October 22, 2026 – Outdoor Recreation as a Pathway to Economic Vitality
  • January 21, 2027 – Funding Recreation-Oriented Conservation in PA

Register

Please contact us if you’re interested in joining a future cohort or have any questions about this program.