The History and Importance of Pennsylvania Forests
- 7:00 P.M. on March 17th
- West Pennsboro Township Municipal Building, 2150 Newville Road (Rt. 641), Carlisle, PA, 17015. Directions are available on-line at: http://www.westpennsborotwp.org/contact.
- FREE – You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.
About 60% (17 million acres) of Pennsylvania is forested. Pennsylvania is the nation’s largest producer of hardwood lumber. Individuals and families own about 75% of the forested land and provide 80% of Pennsylvania’s timber products. The forests in state provide a vast array of benefits. On Thursday, March 17, Dr. James Finley, Penn State Professor of Forest Resources, will speak on the “History and Importance of Pennsylvania Forests.” To meet the ever-increasing demand on Pennsylvania’s forest resources, we must manage our forests differently than in the past to keep them healthy and productive for the long term—an idea known as forest sustainability. The Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association and West Pennsboro Township are sponsoring the meeting which will be held at 7:00 P.M. at the West Pennsboro Township Municipal Building located at 2150 Newville Road (Rt. 641), Carlisle, PA, 17015. You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend. Directions are available on-line at: http://www.westpennsborotwp.org/contact.
Our forests are not without problems, however. The lack of forest regeneration, particularly of some oak species, and a decrease in native biodiversity, caused in part by high populations of white-tailed deer, are significant concerns. The introduction of certain invasive threatens the existence of numerous native plant species. Outbreaks of exotic pests such as the gypsy moth and a host of native defoliators continue to stress the forests. Fragmentation of forestland is also a major issue.
Good forestry requires concern for and understanding of the effects of our decisions and actions on the well-being of the entire forest ecosystem. We can avoid serious degradation of the forest when knowledgeable landowners and natural resources professionals plan and work together.
The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net) or Mike Waldron, 717-677-7317 (email: mdwald57@yahoo.com).