Sometimes it helps to see the machinery behind the curtain, the hierarchy and process of how things get done.

The PA Wilds ‘team’ is comprised of state officials and people from around the region who represent government agencies, economic development organizations, tourism promotion agencies, cultural and heritage organizations and the private sector.

The two main departments of the state working on the PA Wilds initiative are the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

DCNR is tasked with coordinating state agency involvement in the Pennsylvania Wilds and also manages Pennsylvania’s parks and forests and gives grant support to communities for things like trails, heritage projects and the like. DCNR’s work is guided by the Recreation Plan for the State Parks and State Forests in the Pennsylvania Wilds, a study released in 2006. The study suggests ways to improve the delivery of outdoor recreation across all DCNR lands in the PA Wilds region, with a focus on trail design, signage, interpretation, recreation programming and public information.

DCED houses the State Tourism Office, so is heavily involved in the marketing and promotion of the PA Wilds. It also houses many grant and low-interest loan programs designed to encourage business growth in the PA Wilds, such as the First Industries Fund.

Task Force on the PA Wilds: This group meets one or two times a year to update the Secretary of DCNR on the initiative’s progress. Group includes members from DCNR, DCED, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the PA Game Commission, the PA Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Other members include representatives from the Lumber Heritage Region, Western Clinton Sportsmen Association, Route 6 Association, Pennsylvania Wilds Tourism Marketing Corporation, the Allegheny National Forest, as well as congressional and county government representatives.

The Pennsylvania Wilds Tourism Marketing Corporation: Officials from the eight tourism promotion agencies (TPAs) serving the PA Wilds region make up this organization. The primary goal of the Marketing Corporation is to establish a strong coalition of public and private partners with the goal of branding the Pennsylvania Wilds as the premier destination for outdoor experiences in the eastern United States. They do this through radio, television and print advertising, among other projects. The Marketing Corp produces the Pennsylvania Wilds Regional Visitors Guide, Fishing Guide, Outdoor Discovery Maps, Scenic Byways Brochure, and Artisan Trail Guide. They are also in charge of the pawilds.com website and represent the region at snowmobile and ATV shows, consumer travel shows, golf shows, and the like.

The Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team: This group is made up of county planners, regional economic development and heritage organizations, and local and state government officials. The team meets monthly in Ridgway, in Elk County. The Planning Team’s mission is to develop and implement strategies to encourage tourism growth in the PA Wilds while protecting and conserving both the region’s treasured natural resources and its rural community character. To see who represents your county on the Planning Team click here.

Pennsylvania Wilds Artisan Workgroup: Created in 2006, this volunteer group’s goal is to raise the visibility and profitability of the region’s artisans. As of 2010, the group had juried in more than 100 artisans from around the region; had partnered with more than two dozen galleries and retails shops to create a PA Wilds Artisan Trail; had worked with the PA Wilds Marketing Corp. to publish a free trail guide for tourists and create “Made in the Pennsylvania Wilds” hangtags; and was in the final stages of developing a website to promote the artisans, galleries and Artisan Trail.