Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council

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.

Council Members

Governor’s Appointments

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

Silas Chamberlin, Ph.D. -- 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.

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

Meredith Graham smiles wearing a white and black striped top

Meredith Odato Graham -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; B.S. Natural Resources, Cornell University; J.D. University of Pittsburgh School of Law; Environmental Lawyer and Community Volunteer; term expires January 2025.

Geralyn Singer smiles wearing gray sweater

Geralyn Umstead-Singer -- Hershey, Pennsylvania; B.A. in Communications, Lycoming College; Certification Elementary Education, Wilson College; Community Volunteer and Family Caregiver; term expires January 2024.

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 2025.

Vacancy

Senate Appointments

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

Rocco S. Ali -- 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.

Bob Kirchner smiles wearing blue shirt and jacket

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.

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

Marcus Shoffner -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; B.A., Western Carolina University; President and CEO, The Outdoor Inclusion Coalition; term expires January 2026.

Janet Sweeny smiles wearing cream colored sweater

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.

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

Thad Taylor -- Coudersport, Pennsylvania; B.S. in Forest Science, Penn State University; MBA, Texas A&M; Director of Corporate Strategy, FORECON, Inc; term expires January 2027.

Ephraim Zimmerman smiles wearing jacket and tie

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.

House Appointments

Matt Gabler smiles in portrait in front of American flag

Matt Gabler -- Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; B.A. Bucknell University; Executive Director, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association; term expires January 2025.

Sarah Hall smiles wearing purple suit jacket

Sarah Hall -- Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania; B.S. Biology, Millersville University; National Director of Forestry, American Forest Foundation; term expires January 2026.

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

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

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.

Jennifer Raymond smiles outdoors wearing a helmet and harness for a zip line

Jennifer Raymond -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Scholarship and Recruitment Manager, Philadelphia Outward Bound School.

Vacancy

Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

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

Cindy Adams Dunn -- Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; B.S. Biology, Shippensburg University; M.S. Biology, Shippensburg University.