DCNR Appoints New Manager at Canoe Creek State Park Complex

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources today named Andrew St. John as manager of the Canoe Creek State Park Complex, based in Blair County. He had been assigned as manager of the Susquehannock State Park Complex, headquartered in Lancaster County.

"Andy brings to the Canoe Creek complex a solid list of managerial credentials that includes environmental instruction and planning, resource management, and the hands-on operation of a park," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan. "A native of Blair County, he is well acquainted with his newest assignment and all its unique resources."

St. John will oversee 959 acres at Canoe Creek. The complex also includes the 554-acre Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County, and Warriors Path, totaling 349 acres, in Bedford County. Located not far from Altoona, Canoe Creek State Park and its 155-acre lake are popular with anglers and boaters.

A strong environmental education program and research at the park revolve around Pennsylvania's bat populations, many of which are threatened by white-nose syndrome, a disease that has killed almost 7 million bats across North America. Before a major decline of bat numbers in recent years, many visitors were drawn to the park's old church sanctuary, once home to the largest nursery colony of little brown bats in Pennsylvania.

"I'm thrilled to be at Canoe Creek -- a little because I am a native of nearby Hollidaysburg, and a lot because I think it is one of the finest, most overlooked parks in our state park system," St. John said. "It is a perfect combination of superb natural, historical and recreational resources all in one place. Truly something for just about everyone."

St. John replaces Steven Volgstadt, who retired.

St. John began his career with the Bureau of State Parks in 2005, working first as an environmental education specialist at Yellow Creek State Park, Indiana County. From 2006 to 2010 he worked as a park manager in the bureau's Resource Management Section in Harrisburg where he oversaw state park lake water issues.

St. John was named manager of the Susquehannock State Park Complex -- which also includes the 85-acre Samuel S. Lewis State Park in Lancaster County -- in 2010. For two years he had served as the bureau's chief liaison with the Lower Susquehanna Conservation Landscape, an initiative to conserve and protect the greenway corridor along the Susquehanna River.    

St. John, 47, graduated with a bachelor's degree in counseling psychology and education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He holds a master's degree in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

St. John is the seventh generation of his family to live in the homestead built in 1849 by his great, great, great-grandfather after arriving from Ireland. The home is listed in the Hollidaysburg Historic District.

For more information on Canoe Creek, Trough Creek, Warriors Path and Pennsylvania's other 117 state parks, call 1-888-PA-PARKS between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; or visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us (Select "Find a Park").

Media contact: Terry Brady, 717-772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources