Harrisburg, PA -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the appointment of Alan Johnson as the Park Operations Manager of the Kinzua Bridge State Park Complex in McKean County.
“Alan is a strong, steady leader with a mind for protecting natural habitats and native plants,” Dunn said. “I believe he will be a tremendous asset to the Kinzua Bridge State Park Complex and the surrounding community, and look forward to seeing his dedication in action in this new role.”
Johnson assumed operations of the Kinzua Bridge State Park Complex in February. He oversees management of 339-acre Kinzua Bridge State Park, 3,192-acre Elk State Park, and 100-acre Bendigo State Park.
Johnson said he works to develop his staff daily, looking for opportunities to create ways for them to advance their careers with DCNR through their involvement in park complex projects. He added that he is working to ensure resource management projects for the complex are being pushed to the forefront.
“I look forward to continuing to expand on the relationships I have been able to forge with the staff throughout the complex,” Johnson said. “Within weeks of coming on board it felt like I had been working with many of the individuals on the staff for multiple years. They have made the transition from Ryerson Station very seamless for me."
Johnson enjoys interacting with park visitors and educating them on the importance of proactive habitat management. He noted that state parks provide positive examples of native plantings and habitat improvements the public can follow on their own lands, regardless of the size of their property.
Johnson joined DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks in 2007 as a park manager trainee in the northcentral region. He was previously assigned to Ryerson Station State Park, where he had worked since 2008.
Johnson is an Eldred, McKean County native who received an undergraduate degree from Edinboro University. Johnson enjoys hunting and fishing when spending time outdoors.
Visit DCNR’s website for more information about state parks, and check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wesley Robinson, 717-877-6315
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