WILKES-BARRE — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps adult crews at Camp Hebron in Dauphin County to kick off the upcoming season of work on public lands.
The program provides opportunities for paid work experience, job training and environmental education.
Under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s leadership, DCNR has expanded conservation efforts in the Commonwealth by strengthening the Outdoor Corps workforce development initiative.
The Governor’s 2024-25 budget invests $5 million to enhance and grow the program, increasing job training and stewardship skills for more young people. The investment supports hiring additional staff and restructuring the program into a regional model to improve efficiency, expand recruitment, and strengthen community partnerships.
“Gov. Shapiro and the First Lady have witnessed the transformative impact of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps — both in preparing young people for the workforce and in protecting our public lands,” said Secretary Dunn. “This program not only builds future conservationists but also strengthens Pennsylvania’s workforce by providing essential skills and paid job experience.”
A legacy of stewardship: Celebrating 10 years of the Outdoor Corps
As the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps approaches its 10th anniversary this year, its mission of training young people in conservation remains as vital as ever.
Open to individuals ages 15-25, the program provides hands-on experience in trail restoration, habitat enhancement, and tree planting.
Modeled after the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, the program is managed by DCNR and the Student Conservation Association (SCA) with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and private philanthropists.
Last year, 170 participants made a lasting impact across Pennsylvania:
• 62 structures improved for public safety and better accessibility
• 148 certifications earned in conservation skills
• 95 acres restored to natural beauty
• 2 miles of waterways cleaned
• 118 miles of trails enhanced
• 1,516 native trees planted
Rep. Meuser co-sponsors legislation to fight against the trafficking of fentanyl
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week c0-sponsored H.R. 1569 — the Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful (CATCH) Fentanyl Act — a bipartisan bill that will reinforce efforts to intercept fentanyl at U.S. border ports of entry.
Rep. Meuser said the fentanyl crisis continues to devastate communities nationwide, particularly wreaking havoc on the lives of Pennsylvanians. Rep. Meuser said that in 2023, fentanyl was responsible for 76% of the state’s 4,721 overdose deaths.
With fentanyl now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45, Rep. Meuser said the need for stronger border security and drug interdiction measures has never been more critical.
Rep. Meuser said the CATCH Fentanyl Act establishes a pilot program leveraging next-generation Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology to enhance screening capabilities at both the Northern and Southern borders.
This initiative will help identify fentanyl and other contraband hidden in cars, trucks, and cargo containers while ensuring efficient commercial trade by addressing cost-effectiveness, wait times, and infrastructure needs at land ports of entry.
By equipping the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with advanced detection tools, Rep. Meuser said this legislation fortifies efforts to intercept drugs and illegal contraband.
“With more than 21,000 pounds of fentanyl seized at U.S. borders in 2024 alone, it’s clear that we must employ advanced technology to halt this deadly drug from entering our country,” Rep. Meuser said. “In just a short time, the Trump administration has already made significant strides in reversing Biden’s disastrous open border policies, and this legislation is the crucial next step in securing our borders. This commonsense legislation empowers DHS and CBP to strengthen their efforts in intercepting fentanyl and other illicit contraband, bolstering border security and saving lives. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan initiative to stop the spread of this substance.”
H.R. 1569 has been referred to the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Report: Pennsylvania ranked first in the country in prosecuting Medicaid fraud
According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Pennsylvania is number one nationally in the number of Medicaid fraud charges filed against bad actors and third overall in convictions secured.
This success is only possible because of the hard work of the dedicated staff at the Department of Human Services (DHS), which operates a comprehensive fraud prevention and detection system to preserve Medicaid resources for people who need them and helps to reclaim taxpayer funds.
“As DHS builds bridges to health and stability for eligible Pennsylvanians through Medicaid and our other supportive programs, we must be sure that taxpayer dollars are being used as intended and be vigilant in protecting these critical resources,” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “DHS staff closely monitor our programs using a variety of tools to quickly identify potential fraud and abuse.”
To weed out fraud, DHS staff verify each applicant’s information against 12 databases to ensure proper income eligibility during application and renewal. Applications or cases that are flagged for potential misinformation are referred to the Office of State Inspector General for further investigation. In State Fiscal Year 2023-24, the OSIG investigated more than 19,000 applications for public assistance benefits — the vast majority of which came from DHS’ referrals.
“As Attorney General, combating Medicaid fraud was a critical priority, and it is gratifying to know that this work has safeguarded Pennsylvanians while holding criminals accountable,” said State Inspector General Michelle Henry.