Photo courtesy of DCNR
Jim Eckert has been appointed manager of Little Buffalo State Park in Newport.

NEWPORT — For Jim Eckert, the newly appointed manager of Little Buffalo State Park in Newport, the outdoors has always been more than scenery. It has been a place of learning, family connection, and eventually, a calling.

Now, that lifelong passion has led him to one of central Pennsylvania’s most beloved parks, where he will oversee 923 acres of trails, water, history, and year-round recreation.

Eckert’s appointment was announced by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, who noted his strong leadership and dedication during his years with the agency.

Dunn said, “We are confident that he will be a great steward of this wonderful park and look forward to seeing his leadership take shape in the future.”

The park is a natural fit for someone with Eckert’s background. Little Buffalo’s landscape blends recreation and heritage: the 88-acre Holman Lake draws anglers and paddlers; Shoaff’s Mill stands as a preserved piece of local history; and the annual Little Buffalo Apple Festival brings thousands of visitors each October. It is a place where families camp, hikers explore wooded trails, and generations return year after year to traditions that have become part of the region’s identity.

Eckert said he sees that broad appeal as one of the park’s greatest strengths.

“There is something for everyone here at Little Buffalo – whether you’re experiencing the magic of the Apple Festival or taking a hike on one of our trails,” Eckert said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to manage this beautiful park, and I welcome visitors from all over the region and state.”

His path to this role reflects a steady climb through Pennsylvania’s state park system, shaped by both education and hands-on experience. A native of Economy in Beaver County, Eckert grew up enjoying hiking, birdwatching, and identifying plants and animals — interests that naturally aligned with a future in conservation. He also shares his home life with his cat, Leo, a quieter companion to his outdoor pursuits.

Eckert holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Beaver County Community College, an associate degree in park and recreation management from Butler Community College and an undergraduate degree in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University. Those academic steps helped prepare him for leadership, but the foundation of his career was built in the field.

He credits his love of the outdoors to time spent in nature with his family, especially an annual canoe trip on the Clarion River at Cook Forest State Park.

That early connection eventually led him to make a career shift in his mid-20s. In 2016, he joined DCNR as a semiskilled laborer at Raccoon Creek State Park while returning to school to pursue the education needed for advancement. From there, he entered DCNR’s manager trainee program, gaining experience in the agency’s Harrisburg office before serving as assistant manager at the Hickory Run State Park Complex in eastern Pennsylvania.

Those roles gave Eckert a broad understanding of park operations — from maintenance and resource protection to visitor services and administrative oversight. Now, as he steps into the top leadership position at Little Buffalo, he brings with him a blend of field experience, academic preparation, and a personal appreciation for the landscapes he is entrusted to protect.

For visitors, the transition in leadership may be subtle. The lake will still shimmer through the seasons, the trails will continue to wind through the woods, and Shoaff’s Mill will remain a quiet reminder of the region’s past. But behind the scenes, Eckert will be shaping the park’s future, guiding its programs, caring for its resources, and ensuring that Little Buffalo remains a place where people of all ages can connect with the outdoors.

For Eckert, that work is more than a job. It is a continuation of the connection to nature that began in childhood — now carried forward in service to one of Pennsylvania’s most cherished state parks.