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    ​​Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council

    The council seeks to be the foremost source of quality advice to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on sustaining the natural environment for all Pennsylvanians to enjoy and appreciate.

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    Council Mission

    The powers ​and the duties of the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council (CNRAC) will be carried out as legislatively mandated in Section 315(d), Act 18 of 1995.

    Drawing upon the diversity of experiences and perspectives of its appointed citizen members, the council will provide to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, to the Governor, to the General Assembly, and to the public, advice regarding the conservation and stewardship of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.

    Council Vision

    To be the foremost source of quality advice to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on sustaining the natural environment for all Pennsylvanians to enjoy and appreciate.

    Upcoming Meetings

    All Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council​ meetings, unless otherwise noted, are open to the public and held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101​, along with a virtual attendance option.

    Wednesday, November 19 (Virtual Only)

    Past Meeting Materials

    Council Members

    Silas Chamberlin, Ph.D. (Chair)

    York, Pennsylvania. B.A. History, Temple University; M.A. History and Ph.D. Environmental History, Lehigh University; Vice President of Economic and Community Development of the York County Economic Alliance.

    Term expires January 2026.

    Silas Chamberlin stands outdoors smiling next to water in blue shirt and jacket Silas Chamberlin

    Meredith Odato Graham (Vice-Chair)

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. B.S. Natural Resources, Cornell University; J.D. University of Pittsburgh School of Law; Environmental Lawyer and Community Volunteer.

    Term expires January 2028.

    Meredith Graham smiles wearing a white and black striped top Meredith Odato Graham

    Sierra Fogal

    Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Owner, Pocono Whitewater; Owner, Pocono Biking; Owner, Skirmish Paintball. Secretary, D&L National Heritage Corridor. B.A. Syracuse University.

    Term expires January 2027.

    Sierra Fogal smiles wearing black shirt Sierra Fogal

    Geralyn Umstead-Singer

    Hershey, Pennsylvania. B.A. in Communications, Lycoming College; Certification Elementary Education, Wilson College; Community Volunteer and Family Caregiver.

    Term expires January 2027.

    Geralyn Singer smiles wearing gray sweater Geralyn Umstead-Singer

    Jerry Walls

    Montoursville, Pennsylvania. B.A. Western Maryland College; Master of Urban Planning, Wayne State University; Executive Director of the Lycoming County Planning Commission (retired).

    Term expires January 2028.

    Jerry Walls smiles wearing suit and tie Jerry Walls

    Deborah Pontzer

    Ridgway, Pennsylvania. President, Grow Rural PA; B.A., Mount Holyoke College and M.B.A., Thunderbird School of Global Management (Arizona State University).

    Term expires January 2028.

    Deborah Pontzer poses for a headshot photo. Deborah Pontzer

    Rocco S. Ali (Secretary)

    North Apollo, Pennsylvania. B.S. Biology and Chemistry, Geneva College; M.S. Orthopedics and Neurology, University of Pittsburgh; Physical Therapist and Clinical Supervisor, Nova Care Outpatient Rehabilitation.

    Term expires January 2026.

    Rocco Ali smiles wearing blue and white checkered shirt and red jacket with American flag pin on lapel Rocco S. Ali

    Robert E. Kirchner

    St. Marys, Pennsylvania. B.S. Health & Physical Education, Slippery Rock University of PA; Owner, WhyNotSafety, LLC; Board Member - West Creek Recreational Trail Association.

    Term expires January 2026.

    Bob Kirchner smiles wearing blue shirt and jacket Robert E. Kirchner

    Marcus Shoffner

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. B.A., Western Carolina University; President and CEO, The Outdoor Inclusion Coalition.

    Term expires January 2026.

    Marcus Shoffner stands outdoors for a portrait wearing a thick winter coat. A city skyline is in the distance. Marcus Shoffner

    Janet L. Sweeney

    Luzerne, Pennsylvania. B.A in Sociology, State University of New York; M.S. Science in Planning and Regional Development, University of Arizona; Director, Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

    Term expires January 2026.​

    Janet Sweeny smiles wearing cream colored sweater Janet L. Sweeney

    Thad T​aylor

    Coudersport, Pennsylvania. B.S. in Forest Science, Penn State University; MBA, Texas A&M; Director of Corporate Strategy, FORECON, Inc.

    Term expires January 2027.

    Thad Taylor smiles outdoors in front of tree wearing red plaid shirt and green vest Thad Taylor

    Ephraim Zimmerman​

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. B.S. Wildlife Biology, Colorado State University; MS, Forest Ecology, University of Michigan; Natural Heritage Program Science Director, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

    Term expires January 2026.

    Ephraim Zimmerman smiles wearing jacket and tie Ephraim Zimmerman

    Ken Kane

    Kane, Pennsylvania. Owner, Generations Forestry; Researcher, Penn State Department of Land and Water Resources; B.S. Forestry, Penn State University.

    Term expires January 2027.

    Ken Kane smiles outdoors in front of tree wearing a suit and tie Ken Kane

    Gary M. B. Kribbs

    Havertown, Pennsylvania. B.A. Geology, University of Toledo; M.S. Geology, University of Toledo; President, AEON Geoscience, Inc.

    Term expires January 2026.

    Gary Kribbs smiles wearing blue shirt Gary M.B. Kribbs

    Fred Strathmeyer

    York, Pennsylvania. Executive Director, PA Forest Products Association; former Deputy Secretary at PA Department of Agriculture, BA Political Science, Bloomsburg University.

    Term expires January 2027.

    Headshot photo of Fred Strathmeyer Fred Strathmeyer

    Tonya Brown

    Grantham, Pennsylvania. B.S. Community Recreation, Messiah University; M.A., Public Administration; Certified Parks and Recreational Professional, Certified Playground Safety Inspector, Certified Aquatics Facility Operations.

    Term expires January 2028.

    CNRAC Member Tonya Brown Tonya Brown

    Elaine Schaefer

    Pottstown, PA. Executive Director, Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area. J.D., William and Mary Law School; B.S. Political Science and Government, Boston College.

    Term expires January 2028. 

    CNRAC Member Elaine Schaefer Elaine Schaefer

    Jenny Greenberg

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; B.A in Sociology, Vassar College; Master of City Planning, University of Pennsylvania; Executive Director, Neighborhood Gardens Trust.

    CNRAC Member Jenny Greenberg Jenny Greenberg

    Cindy Adams Dunn

    Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; B.S. Biology, Shippensburg University; M.S. Biology, Shippensburg University.

    Official Portrait of DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn wearing a blue suit in front of American and Pennsylvania flags Cindy Adams Dunn

    • Chairperson: Silas Chamberlin
    • First Vice Chairperson: Meredith Graham
    • Secretary: Rocco Ali
    • ​Advisor: Nicole Faraguna