Post by osprey on Apr 4, 2007 7:49:34 GMT -5
Off yesterday's Outdoor Wire, if anybody goes up to PA to watch the elk this sounds like it's going to be pretty neat. 
Governor Rendell Announces Partnership with Elk Foundation for New Visitor Center in Pennsylvania Wilds
STATE COLLEGE, Centre County - Governor Edward G. Rendell has announced that a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will create the largest elk watching and conservation education center in the eastern United States in Benezette Township, Elk County.
"Pennsylvania's wild elk herd, the largest in the Northeast, brings more than 75,000 visitors to the Pennsylvania Wilds each fall," Governor Rendell said. "This new center will give us additional opportunities to reach out to new visitors, give them a wonderful outdoor experience and share the story of the conservation efforts that have restored the elk herd, and many other natural and wild areas in Pennsylvania."
Governor Rendell said the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources signed a 30-year partnership agreement with the foundation, one of the country's premier conservation organizations, for construction of the 7,000-square foot facility that will include interpretive exhibits, wildlife trails and viewing blinds, year-round restrooms and parking for cars and buses.
The Pennsylvania Wilds regional strategy to encourage the growth of nature-based tourism in northcentral Pennsylvania is being touted as a national model for mobilizing and coordinating the wide array of conservation, tourism promotion, economic development, and community revitalization interests.
Under the partnership agreement with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the commonwealth will provide $5 million in Public Improvement Project funds for construction of the center. The foundation will initially invest $2 million for the land purchase and the center's exhibits in addition to committing an estimated $5.6 million over 30 years for the operation of the facility.
"Our work in the Pennsylvania Wilds has enabled us to leverage state money with private dollars," Governor Rendell said. "The partnership with RMEF is expected to save the commonwealth approximately $5.6 million in operation costs over the life of the agreement."
"The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recognizes the need for individuals to experience wildlife and wild places," said Peter J. Dart, president and CEO of the Montana-based Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. "The new visitor center will provide the opportunity to educate a broader audience about habitat conservation and Pennsylvania's wild elk. All of us at the Elk Foundation value our partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and look forward to continuing our work in Pennsylvania's elk country."
During the past year, site planning and market feasibility studies for the center were completed. Completion of the center's design is expected by the end of this year. Construction completion is projected for spring 2009.
The Governor made the announcement at the conclusion of the three-day Governor's Outdoor Conference in State College, designed to explore solutions to keeping people connected with nature.
One early action project in the Pennsylvania Wilds was the completion of the Elk Scenic Drive, a 127-mile corridor passing through Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield, Centre and Elk counties. Two state scenic byways - Route 144 and Route 120 - are part of the drive, which takes travelers through three state forests and three state game lands. The drive runs along a spectacular loop between I-80's Penfield Exit 111 and Snow Shoe Exit 147.
In addition to maps and directions, a guide to the Elk Scenic Drive provides write-ups for 23 locations that note the history of the area; natural features; elk viewing areas and wildlife to be on the lookout for; recreational opportunities such as hiking and fishing; and other tidbits of information.
The Pennsylvania Wilds covers Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Wilds, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us and select PA Wilds under "Hot Topics." More information about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is available at www.rmef.org.
Governor Rendell Announces Partnership with Elk Foundation for New Visitor Center in Pennsylvania Wilds
STATE COLLEGE, Centre County - Governor Edward G. Rendell has announced that a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will create the largest elk watching and conservation education center in the eastern United States in Benezette Township, Elk County.
"Pennsylvania's wild elk herd, the largest in the Northeast, brings more than 75,000 visitors to the Pennsylvania Wilds each fall," Governor Rendell said. "This new center will give us additional opportunities to reach out to new visitors, give them a wonderful outdoor experience and share the story of the conservation efforts that have restored the elk herd, and many other natural and wild areas in Pennsylvania."
Governor Rendell said the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources signed a 30-year partnership agreement with the foundation, one of the country's premier conservation organizations, for construction of the 7,000-square foot facility that will include interpretive exhibits, wildlife trails and viewing blinds, year-round restrooms and parking for cars and buses.
The Pennsylvania Wilds regional strategy to encourage the growth of nature-based tourism in northcentral Pennsylvania is being touted as a national model for mobilizing and coordinating the wide array of conservation, tourism promotion, economic development, and community revitalization interests.
Under the partnership agreement with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the commonwealth will provide $5 million in Public Improvement Project funds for construction of the center. The foundation will initially invest $2 million for the land purchase and the center's exhibits in addition to committing an estimated $5.6 million over 30 years for the operation of the facility.
"Our work in the Pennsylvania Wilds has enabled us to leverage state money with private dollars," Governor Rendell said. "The partnership with RMEF is expected to save the commonwealth approximately $5.6 million in operation costs over the life of the agreement."
"The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recognizes the need for individuals to experience wildlife and wild places," said Peter J. Dart, president and CEO of the Montana-based Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. "The new visitor center will provide the opportunity to educate a broader audience about habitat conservation and Pennsylvania's wild elk. All of us at the Elk Foundation value our partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and look forward to continuing our work in Pennsylvania's elk country."
During the past year, site planning and market feasibility studies for the center were completed. Completion of the center's design is expected by the end of this year. Construction completion is projected for spring 2009.
The Governor made the announcement at the conclusion of the three-day Governor's Outdoor Conference in State College, designed to explore solutions to keeping people connected with nature.
One early action project in the Pennsylvania Wilds was the completion of the Elk Scenic Drive, a 127-mile corridor passing through Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield, Centre and Elk counties. Two state scenic byways - Route 144 and Route 120 - are part of the drive, which takes travelers through three state forests and three state game lands. The drive runs along a spectacular loop between I-80's Penfield Exit 111 and Snow Shoe Exit 147.
In addition to maps and directions, a guide to the Elk Scenic Drive provides write-ups for 23 locations that note the history of the area; natural features; elk viewing areas and wildlife to be on the lookout for; recreational opportunities such as hiking and fishing; and other tidbits of information.
The Pennsylvania Wilds covers Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Wilds, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us and select PA Wilds under "Hot Topics." More information about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is available at www.rmef.org.
