Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity is the variety of life that surrounds us, including all the earth’s plants, animals, their habitats, and the natural processes of which they are a part. We depend on biodiversity for the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.

Wetlands filter pollutants from water, trees and plants absorb carbon, and bacteria and fungi break down organic material and fertilize the soil.

It has been shown that native species richness is linked to the health of ecosystems, as is the quality of life for humans.

Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Role

The department manages approximately 2.5 million acres of forest and park land covering a variety of ecosystems and plant and animal habitats. Much of the work focuses on the conservation of Pennsylvania’s biodiversity through program and land management goals.

It is a key element in maintaining ecosystem integrity, viability, and resilience across all the Commonwealth’s ecological communities.

For more information about biodiversity conservation, you can contact the DCNR Bureau of Forestry at 717-787-3444.