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The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management has a new director.
Peter F. Sussenbach, a former wildlife conservation officer who most recently served as land management supervisor for the Game Commission’s Northeast Region Office, started the position last month.
Sussenbach replaces William A. Capouillez, who retired in May.
The Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management oversees the management of Pennsylvania’s state game lands system, administers the statewide program to provide public hunting and trapping opportunities on private lands, directs forest management, land acquisition and natural-resource development, and coordinates the federal Pittman-Robertson and state wildlife grants programs.
Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough said Sussenbach’s extensive background made him the perfect candidate for the position, and he’s already proven himself effective in his new role.
“In terms of his experience and leadership skills, Pete has it all,” Hough said. “Beginning his career with the Game Commission at the training school, and later transitioning from a seasoned field officer to a supervisory position responsible for managing more than 370,000 acres of state game lands across 13 counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, Pete has worked with and directed hundreds of employees within and outside the Game Commission, and interacted with countless hunters and trappers. And, importantly, he was the federal aid supervisor and land management supervisor for the Northeast Region.
“Pete is a natural leader, and we look forward to having him here for years to come,” Hough said.
Sussenbach said he will continue to promote a collaborative approach among foresters, land managers, biologists and other staff in enhancing habitat on state game lands and other properties. The use of prescribed fire and other landscape-level techniques for managing habitat, as well as, a structured approach to the protection of key habitats, will be promoted throughout his tenure, he said.
“Healthy habitat is the key to healthy wildlife and is centrally important to our rich hunting and trapping tradition here in Pennsylvania,” Sussenbach said. “By working together to carry out our mission, our heritage endures.”