Pennsylvania Adds 30 New Rangers and Park Managers After Academy Graduation

The state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources celebrates the completion of a 19-week training program for new park staff.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dreamy, impressionistic photograph showing the silhouettes of several people walking along a wooded trail, their faces and details obscured in a soft, out-of-focus blur of warm, earthy colors, conceptually representing the new park staff taking on their roles.The new class of Pennsylvania state park rangers and managers will bring their dedication and expertise to outdoor recreation sites across the Commonwealth.Harrisburg Today

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has welcomed a new class of 30 rangers and park manager trainees who recently graduated from the state's 19-week ranger and park manager trainee academy. The graduates will be assigned to various state parks across Pennsylvania to help ensure visitor safety and provide educational programming.

Why it matters

Pennsylvania's state parks play a vital role in providing outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. The addition of these new rangers and park managers will help maintain the quality of visitor experiences and uphold park rules and regulations to keep people safe.

The details

The 30 graduates completed rigorous training in areas such as visitor services, educational programming, equipment use, and law enforcement. They will now be assigned to state parks across the Commonwealth, with ranger trainees going to locations like Promised Land, Cowans Gap, and Tuscarora, and park manager trainees being placed in regional offices and the DCNR central office in Harrisburg.

  • The 2026 graduating class of the ranger and park manager trainee academy was celebrated on April 17, 2026.
  • The 19-week academy program was recently completed by the new graduates.

The players

Cindy Adams Dunn

Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

John Hallas

Director of Pennsylvania State Parks.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our rangers and park managers play an important role in making sure visitors have a great time in our beautiful state parks — and we are proud to celebrate their completion of our academy today. These dedicated public servants put a great deal of effort into training, and they're ready for long, successful careers in our state parks. I can't wait to see the impact they make this summer and beyond.”

— Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

“This group has shown great dedication and a strong commitment to understanding the guidelines and laws designed to keep people safe when recreating at our wonderful state parks. This is a tremendous accomplishment and we congratulate the class of 2026 on completing this rigorous training program.”

— John Hallas, Director, Pennsylvania State Parks

What’s next

The new rangers and park managers will begin their assignments at state parks across Pennsylvania in the coming weeks, helping to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors this summer and beyond.

The takeaway

The addition of these 30 new rangers and park managers demonstrates Pennsylvania's commitment to maintaining the high quality of its state park system and providing excellent service to the millions of people who enjoy the outdoors in the Commonwealth each year.