DCNR Acting Secretary Cindy Dunn honored by National Wildlife Federation

Cindy Adams Dunn, acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), was honored on March 12 by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for her contributions and achievements in the environmental field. Her work to reduce carbon pollution, promote clean energy, and protect wildlife and their habitats from the risks of climate change has made her a recipient of the Women in Conservation Award, given to those deserving women that have shown exceptional leadership and dedication to conservation and climate action.

Dunn follows in the footsteps of other strong women who have had significant roles in the conservation movement, including fellow Pennsylvania native, Rachel Carson. Carson, most famously known for her book, Silent Spring, brought the environmental movement to mainstream America during the 1960s. Present-day environmental leader Gina McCarthy, the current Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has taken the necessary steps forward to protect people and wildlife from the effects of climate change by proposing the agency’s Clean Power Plan, a standard to reduce industrial carbon pollution.

“Cindy is a true asset to the conservation community,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We at NWF believe that highlighting and bringing women into the environmental story is important to reach the common goal of protecting all people, communities, landscapes and our precious wildlife from the impacts of climate change.”

PennFuture is proud to be the Pennsylvania affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

Jennifer Quinn is central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg. She tweets @QuinnJen1.

Cindy Dunn: Election was a referendum on Corbett's handling of gas industry

In the aftermath of Tom Wolf's victory over incumbent Tom Corbett, StateImpact's Susan Phillips interviewed PennFuture's CEO Cindy Dunn to discuss what this means for Pennsylvania and the environment:

On the need for comprehensive methane regulations:

Dunn says in addition to CO2, Wolf needs to tackle greenhouse gas causing methane leaks from... gas infrastructure. “Top of the list is methane leaks,” she said. 

On the need for stronger leadership at DEP and DCNR:

“The perception is that [Corbett] was very lax with the regulations, relied on self-policing, and did not promote renewables. It’s interesting for me because I’ve worked in a number of administrations and it is amazing how important direction from the top is when it comes to choosing agency leaders, and communicating high expectations of serving the public.” 

On the newly reinvigorated Environmental Rights Amendment:

“When Wolf is sworn in as governor, he will swear to uphold the state constitution, which includes the environmental rights amendment,” said Dunn. “And this is something that I think he will pay attention to.”

You can check out the entire article here. 

Andrew Sharp is PennFuture's director of outreach and is based in Philadelphia. He tweets at @RexBainbridge.