Pennsylvania rangers, park managers graduate

Newport, Pa. — Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined staff and families at Little Buffalo State Park April 17 in Perry County to celebrate the 2026 graduating class of the department’s ranger and park manager trainee academy.

“Our rangers and park managers play an important role in making sure visitors have a great time in our beautiful state parks — and we are proud to celebrate their completion of our academy today,” said Secretary Dunn.

“These dedicated public servants put a great deal of effort into training, and they’re ready for long, successful careers in our state parks.”

MORE COVERAGE FROM PENNSYLVANIA OUTDOOR NEWS:

New Pennsylvania Game Commission office will aid landowners looking to manage for wildlife

Pennsylvania expected to remove conservation order season for light geese in spring ’27

Trout stocked in April are harder to catch in May; here’s how to adjust

DCNR rangers and managers play a vital role in protecting public lands, educating visitors, and ensuring safe and welcoming outdoor spaces for all, according to Dunn.

To prepare for this work, ranger and manager trainees must complete a 19-week academy focused on visitor services, educational programming, equipment use, and law enforcement training, including enforcement of park rules and Pennsylvania law.

Ranger trainee graduates and assignments for 2026:

• Matthew Abrams – Promised Land

• Katie Blake – Delaware Canal

• Kevin Bornkamp – Evansburg

• Ethan Clemens – Cowans Gap

• Travis Haines – Pine Grove Furnace

• Matthew Hanna – Codorus

• Autumn Honaker – Pine Grove Furnace

• Derric Hyde – Pymatuning

• Shandra Jones – Promised Land

• Katelyn Lebdaoui – Promised Land

• Chris Minnich – Jacobsburg

• Isaiah Moran – Fort Washington

• Allan Myers – Parker Dam

• Patricia Nagele – Hickory Run

• Nicolas Posey – Susquehanna Riverlands

• Joshua Smith – Raccoon Creek

• Jeffrey Tiesi – Kettle Creek

• Kaelyn Weleski – French Creek

• Matthew White – Caledonia

• Mackenzie Williams – Lackawanna

• Travis York – Colonel Denning

• Josh Ziegler – Tuscarora

Park Manager Trainee Graduates and Assignments for 2026:

• Lindsay Aubele – State Parks Region 2 (Western Pennsylvania)

• John Friedline – French Creek

• Paula Lewis-Roman – DCNR Central Office (Harrisburg)

• Ty Moon – Bald Eagle

• Makenzie Naska – Region 4 Office (Eastern Pennsylvania)

• Chris Notgrass – Region 2 Office (Western Pennsylvania)

• Jose Santana Caceres – DCNR Central Office (Harrisburg)

• Van Stefaniszyn – Region 1 (Northcentral Pennsylvania)

“This group has shown great dedication and a strong commitment to understanding the guidelines and laws designed to keep people safe when recreating at our wonderful state parks,” said State Parks Director John Hallas.