06/17/2026
Leveraging Agency Mandates to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ) in Pennsylvania: A DCNR-DEP Hybrid Townhall Series
DCNR MOSAIC (DEIB Office), DEP Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), and the Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship organized have organized 3 sessions for Staff at the Commonwealth’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
Given the overlapping missions and commitments across PA agencies to provide clean, safe, and healthy environment for all Pennsylvanians, there has been growing interest among agency staff to understand how each agency conceptualizes and advances EJ.
The proposed learning sessions addressed this need by supporting staff to build scaffolded knowledge about the breadth and depth of EJ, and how PA agencies operationalize it in their work through language, funding, reporting, policy, data, strategic planning, and community engagement.
By building knowledge, connecting shared priorities, and identifying needs across agencies, both DEP and DCNR can more effectively collaborate to advance their shared commitments.
Shared Mission
Environmental justice is central to the missions of both the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Its principles guide us to ensure that all people—regardless of income, race, location, or background—are protected from disproportionate environmental harms and have equitable access to healthy, resilient natural resources.
Centering the needs and voices of historically burdened communities informs DEP’s work to safeguard Pennsylvania’s air, land, and water and DCNR’s commitment to steward public lands for the benefit of present and future generations.
Together, these principles ensure that historically burdened communities are heard, that past injustices are addressed, and that all Pennsylvanians can safely live, work in, learn about, and enjoy the outdoors.
Session Goals
1. Support staff to understand how their individual and agency’s work are connected to EJ
2. Share existing data, tools, and research currently used or managed by the agencies
3. Identify data and research gaps that can advance both agencies’ EJ work
4. Provide a platform for agency partners to share their work and how to effectively collaborate
5. Discuss shared challenges across agencies to advancing EJ
6. Plan opportunities for collaboration
Session Description and Goals
Session 1: Building Foundations to Advance Environmental Justice was held on May 19th.
Session Description: This session began with a brief introduction to the learning series goals. Jerome Shabazz (EJ Advisory Board Member and Director of the Overbrook Environmental Education Center) provided an introduction to the framework, its origins, and history in the state through a storytelling format.
Representatives from each agency shared their agency’s historical and present-day relationship with and understanding of EJ, including policy and language. They then shared a broad overview of how each agency is incorporating EJ into their work, including a success story and a shortcoming or challenge.
Session Outcomes
• Participants gained broader understanding of EJ and how it relates to their individual agency’s work
• Participants gained broader understanding of agencies’ overlapping efforts to advance EJ
• Gathered participant ideas on areas of interest to drive future group discussion
Session Speakers were:
Maya Weinberg, DCNR Governor’s SciTech Fellow
John Roper, DEP SciTech Fellow
Justin Dula, Office of Environmental Justice Senior Advisor-(Presentation on policy + progression of OEJ + EJIC, accomplishments, future directions, how staff can get involved)
Nicole Faraguna, DCNR Policy Director & Ali Bowling, DCNR Executive Advisor for Climate and Sustainability
Jerome Shabazz, EJ Advisory Board Member, Executive Director of the Overbrook Environmental Education Center
Session 2: Leveraging Tools, Data, and Research to Advance EJ Across Agencies was held on June 16th.
Description: Staff who use, produce, or manage data and tools focused on EJ and broader socio-environmental vulnerability at both agencies shared an overview of their work as well as gaps in data or research that would help advance their goals. They gave an overview of how these tools are used throughout our agencies (grant-making, grant-reporting, partnership determinations, strategic planning, etc.).
Bobby Hughes joined as a guest speaker and partner to both agencies for the last 30 years to give a brief description of EPCAMR’s work and how different forms of data (qualitative, quantitative, metadata, diverse mapping tools, etc.) are necessary for gaining a holistic picture of EJ and how to advance it.
Session Outcomes
• Participants gained a broader understanding of environmental justice measures and what tools they have access to
• Participants understood the importance of multiple methods of analysis that integrate qualitative (testimonial, interviews, focus groups, etc.) and quantitative data
• Participants were made aware of how to apply EJ data and tools in their work
Session Schedule
John Roper & Jordi Comas-(PennEnviroScreen)
Colleen Unroe, DEP Energy Programs Specialist
Brandon Hoover, DCNR SCORP Specialist
Meredith Seltzer, DCNR Director of Climate and Sustainability
Bobby Hughes, EJ Advisory Board Member, and Executive Director of the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
A two slide summary of Bobby’s presentation is included here. The sessions were recorded and will be made available at some point.
