Maurice K. Goddard Legacy Project
The goal of Legacy Project is
to celebrate the accomplishments
of Maurice K. Goddard and to
rededicate all Pennsylvanians to
his vision and values for the
conservation of our natural resources.
Launched in 2009, this multi-year
endeavor includes projects that have
been organized to build awareness
of his legacy and share it with all Pennsylvanians including:
- Project kick-off walk on the Goddard Memorial Trail in Camp
Hill (September 12, 2009) where Goddard made his home for nearly 50 years.
- Unveiling of 25 interpretive panels celebrating Goddard’s life
at state parks across the Commonwealth.
- A symposium on the lessons Goddard’s legacy offers for
the future.
- Rededication of Wykoff Run as Maurice Goddard Natural Area
at Wykoff Run on November 8th, 2010.
- A documentary on the life of Goddard which airs November 10, 2010 in Central Pennsylvania, with statewide airing to follow.
- Developing a leadership program for youth and young professionals.
Maurice K. Goddard, considered to be the ‘Patriarch of Pennsylvania State Parks’, was known for his blunt, no-nonsense style and served under five Pennsylvania governors as Secretary of Forests and Waters and as the founding Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources (1955-1979). He spent an unprecedented 24 years as a cabinet officer, realizing his vision of a park within 25 miles of every Pennsylvanian. Only six of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are without a state park. During his tenure, Goddard added 45 parks and 130,000 acres of park land, gaining national recognition for Pennsylvania’s state park system.
 |
Former DCNR Secretary
John Oliver and
Goddard State Park
Manager William Wasser
unveil the Goddard
Historical Marker. |
|
Pam Metzger, PPFF Membership/Volunteer
Coordinator, speaks to gathered dignitaries
and guests at the Maurice K. Goddard Historical Marker unveiling at M.K. Goddard State Park. |
“Maurice Goddard put Pennsylvania on the conservation map with his strong commitment to the management of our environmental resources and outdoor recreation,” says Marci Mowery, PPFF President. “Goddard felt strongly that it was important to have state parks within reach of all Pennsylvanians and set out to make that goal happen. We feel it is important that current and future generations understand that the park system that they enjoy with their families was created from the commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers across the decades.”
Project partners include: Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, WITF, Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission, and Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals. Funding for the project was made possible by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Heinz Endowment, The Richard King Mellon Foundation, The McKenna Foundation, The Foundation For Pennsylvania Watersheds, and private contributions.
For even more Goddard information, check out the links below.
Goddard Fact Sheet
Spring 2010 Newsletter
Help Continue the Legacy - Donate Now
Calendar of Goddard Legacy Project Events
Check out the wonderful WITF original documentary on the Life Of Maurice Goddard at http://video.witf.org/video/1640758793/
For those who missed the Environmental Forum on public television last week, you can view it on demand at:
http://video.witf.org/video/1621070670/
