Lewisberry, PA – Today, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) marked a major sustainability milestone – celebrating 30 years of conservation leadership by unveiling its 30th solar array on public lands. Installed at Gifford Pinchot State Park in York County, the project reinforces DCNR’s commitment to clean energy and cost-saving innovation, as well as the Commonwealth’s progress as a national leader in renewable energy.
“This project uses clean energy from the sun and provides shade for cars in the parking area, modeling a practical way we can take climate action and serve visitors,” Secretary Dunn said. “For 30 years, DCNR has been managing Pennsylvania’s natural resources with sustainability at the forefront. With leadership from Governor Shapiro, we continue to focus on the stewardship that strengthens communities and enhances our quality of life.”
The 342-kW solar array at Gifford Pinchot State Park’s Quaker Race Day Use Area provides shade for ADA-accessible picnic areas and parking while generating clean energy. This installation alone is expected to save Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $45,000 annually on electricity and reduce DCNR’s carbon footprint by over 163 metric tons per year—equivalent to removing 38 passenger cars from the road.
Paired with a 410-kW solar array near the park’s sewage treatment plant, the park now operates at net-zero energy, making it a model for sustainable operations on public lands.
The Quaker Race Day Use Area also includes a range of stormwater and ecological improvements, including:
- A rainwater collection system and upgraded culverts
- Native trees, grasses, and plants
- Lakeside buffer zones and rain gardens
- Regraded parking lots to better manage runoff
Together, the solar arrays and sustainable design features support Governor Josh Shapiro’s PA PULSE initiative, which aims to power 50 percent of state government operations with renewable energy by 2026.
“Governor Shapiro and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources continue to prioritize sustainability on our public lands, which is a win for Pennsylvanians,” said Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation President Marci Mowery. “Making conscious investments of this type ensure our parks and forests will remain healthy, safe places to visit for present and future generations.”
DCNR has committed to sourcing 50 percent of its electric from renewable energy sources by 2030, largely through expanded solar infrastructure. DCNR signed a new Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) contract with McClure Company, a Harrisburg-based mechanical construction, engineering and energy service firm last fall. The contract, part of the third phase of GESA improvements, targets energy efficiency upgrades and emissions reductions across 38 state parks and five forest districts. The initiative is projected to cut emissions by 1,900 tons per year and save the Commonwealth more than $40 million in energy costs over the next two decades.
DCNR is working to incorporate sustainable designs and certified high-performance building standards into newly constructed and renovated buildings. Other planned sustainability initiatives for DCNR properties includes additional solar arrays, electric vehicle charging stations, reduction of internal combustion engine passenger vehicles within the agency’s fleet, and more.
Secretary Dunn reminded Pennsylvanians and visitors that Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests remain open for accessible and affordable outdoor recreation.
In 2025, DCNR is celebrating its 30th anniversary of stewardship for the Commonwealth’s 124 state parks, 2.2 million acres of state forestland, and the work it does to make nature a better place for Pennsylvanians and visitors alike throughout its anniversary year.
To learn more about DCNR’s sustainability goals, view the Climate and Sustainability Initiative report or explore events across public lands at PA.gov/dcnr.
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