Jessa Goodeaux
Chester County Park Ranger Jessa Goodeaux has been selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) NextGen Advisory Council. Council members assist DCNR with ensuring all Pennsylvanians, especially the next generation, can connect to public lands, natural resources, recreation, and conservation.
“I applied to the DCNR NextGen Council with the goal of inspiring young people to take advantage of our public lands by increasing their levels of comfort and safety within, and access to parks and open spaces,” said Ranger Goodeaux. “I am particularly committed to increasing outdoor recreation opportunities for communities I identify with, such as young veterans and women, while also supporting my fellow park rangers and others in the parks and recreation field.”
Speaking on Ranger Goodeaux’s representation of Chester County on this statewide council, Chester County Parks + Preservation Director Dave Stauffer said, “Ranger Goodeaux’s leadership skills and passion for public service make her an excellent addition to the DCNR NextGen Council. We are proud to have her representing Chester County at the state level and know that her contributions will help to advance the Council’s goals.”
Ranger Goodeaux embarked on a career in parks and recreation after witnessing the role that open spaces had on the public’s wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. She believes her life’s purpose is to serve others— as both a Chester County park ranger and an Army Reserve officer.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources launched the NextGen Advisory Council in 2022 to increase public participation and expand its diversity of perspectives and engagement opportunities to help to inform department programs and operations.
