The Forest Lands Beautification Program allocates $1.5 million every year for five years. DCNR administers the program, and works with partners to:
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Identify and remove illegal dumpsites in
and around state parks and forests.
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Form partnerships with nonprofit groups,
citizens, and local governments to help combat the problem.
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Work with individual volunteers on cleanup
efforts.
- Provide municipal
technical assistance to municipalities in and abutting
forests and parks with dump sites.
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Inform Pennsylvanians about recycling options
and proper disposal methods.
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Prosecute offenders.
Cleaning up with PA CleanWays
DCNR selected PA CleanWays, a non-profit organization that has been battling littering for more than a decade, to oversee the cleanup effort. PA CleanWays focuses its efforts on community involvement - bringing together concerned citizens, waste haulers, outdoor enthusiasts, government officials, business representatives, and others interested in cleaning Pennsylvania's forest and park lands.
DCNR and PA CleanWays employ several tactics to clean up sites, and to protect forests against future dumping:
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Facilitate the cleanup of existing illegal dumpsites, involving local communities whenever possible to instill ownership and stewardship.
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Create Local Advisory Teams (LATs) to increase legal disposal and recycling options through local cooperation and through statewide efforts.
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Increase Pennsylvanians' awareness of the problem of illegal dumping, thereby instilling a sense of ownership of our state parks and forests.
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Creating opportunities for environmental stewardship by encouraging individuals and groups to work together to clean up and re-beautify the lands and waters, leading to long-term commitment to keep these lands trash free.
In 1999, PA CleanWays developed the successful pilot program, which resulted in the cleanup of 10 dump sites. And with the help of volunteers, PA CleanWays has subsequently removed tons of garbage from other sites and created a schedule for future cleanups.
Program Partners
To help accomplish these goals, DCNR and PA CleanWays have also formed partnerships with the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. The groups are working to help develop community-based solutions to the problem of illegal dumping on Pennsylvanian's public lands. For details, see our partners page.
