The Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team recognized early on that many people had been working for years on great ideas to develop their communities and increase tourism throughout the region. Unfortunately, too many miles and too many political boundaries often separated people who could otherwise be working together. It was clear that these groups needed to join forces whenever and wherever possible if they hoped to gain momentum in terms of ideas, fundraising and organization. Towards that end, the Planning Team joined with several state agencies and the Stackpole-Hall Foundation to hold the “Balancing Nature and Commerce for Sustainable Community Development” workshop in November 2007. DCNR, DCED and the Conservation Fund helped fund the program. Seven teams from around the region participated. They consisted of business owners, public land managers, community volunteers, elected officials, county planners, tourism promotion agencies, non-

profit organizations, economic development agencies, and main street managers. This workshop was a watershed moment in the development of the PA Wilds. Many of the most successful initiatives in the region have sprung directly from the teams that gathered that weekend and have been working together ever since. This page is dedicated to telling these success stories. Assisting DCNR in the planning process for improvements to Kinzua Bridge State Park, which include a visitor center and a “sky walk” type project that will allow visitors to walk out on the remains of the Kinzua Viaduct. How has interregional cooperation boosted their efforts? What advice do the teams have for anyone trying to re-create their success?

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