HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today said the commonwealth is honored that the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative is receiving the national Phoenix Award from the Society of American Travel Writers. The award is one of four being made in recognition of major conservation and preservation efforts throughout the world.

"The Pennsylvania Wilds is truly a unique model of how to blend tourism, economic development and protection of our natural resources to help communities revitalize and, at the same time, offer visitors an authentic outdoor experience," Governor Rendell said. "Our investments and work with many partners over the last several years are helping the region move toward becoming a top destination for nature tourism, while always remaining sensitive to protecting the region's rich and diverse natural assets."

The Pennsylvania Wilds covers Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties. It includes 29 state parks and 1.5 million acres of state forest and game lands, the Allegheny National Forest, Pine Creek Gorge, the largest elk herd in the northeast United States and the darkest nighttime skies at Cherry Springs State Park.

The estimated total number of leisure visitors to the Pennsylvania Wilds increased from 3.5 million to 3.9 million from 2004 to 2006.

"In my seven years as a member of the Phoenix Awards Committee, few nominees have received unanimous approval," said Peggy Bendel, chairwoman of the Phoenix Award Committee while presenting a plaque at a meeting today of the Governor's Task Force on the Pennsylvania Wilds in Harrisburg. "The Pennsylvania Wilds was one of the few to do so, and it is a particular pleasure to present this award today."

"The project involves unprecedented cooperation between several state agencies, as well as a unique partnership between state and local organizations," said Ed Wetschler, a journalist/nominator whose story in the New York Times reflected his impressions of the region. "No other initiative exists in the country on this scale and level of strategic thinking. The little hotels and restaurants, shops and diversions in this vast area are still locally owned, and this remains a rural region free of urban sprawl -- a place of forests and friendly, small-town people, giving it a sense of place in the very best sense."

The Society of American Travel Writers is North America's largest association of travel writers, editors and public relations professionals.

The other 2007 Phoenix Award winners are White River State Park, a revitalized area that is home to many attractions in Indianapolis; a $200 million project that has preserved the old gold-mining town of Deadwood, S.D.; and the 29,000-square-foot Darwin D. Martin House Complex in Buffalo, a Frank Lloyd Wright site containing 394 art-glass windows that was in major disrepair before a recent restoration.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Wilds, visit http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ and choose PA Wilds. To plan a trip to the Pennsylvania Wilds, go to http://www.visitpa.com/.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

CONTACT: Chuck Ardo 717-783-1116 Christina Novak (DCNR) 717-772-9101

CONTACT: Chuck Ardo of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,
+1-717-783-1116; or Christina Novak of the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, +1-717-772-9101

Web Site: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/
http://www.governor.state.pa.us/
http://www.visitpa.com/