Pennsylvania Forestry Association
News You Can Use
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Dive deep into this month's News You Can Use! As we gear up for an exciting spring and summer, we are happy to have you in our readership!
Have news to share? Send it to cwright@versantstrategies.net.
#ForestProud
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PFA INFORMATION ALERT
Landowner Liability Bill Set for Senate Vote
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Legislation to expand protections for landowners who open their land for public recreational use at no charge is scheduled for a vote in the State Senate this week.
House Bill 544, which passed by a unanimous vote in the House in December, encourages landowners to open their property for recreational purposes such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and boating.
This bill will protect landowners from liability when they allow free, public use of their land for recreational activities undertaken for exercise, education, and pleasure, including snowmobiling, ATV. and motorcycle riding. The Bill received unanimous approval in a Senate committee on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.
PFA recommends that you immediately contact your State Senator to express your view and position on this Bill.
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In Memory of Greg Schrum
Former PFA Treasurer and lifetime advocate of Penn's Woods
August 25 1945 - March 31, 2018
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Greg M. Schrum, 72, of Harrrisburg, PA, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 31, 2018.
Greg was born in Indianapolis, IN. At 6 months he and his parents moved to the Reading area, Berks Co. PA. After high school, Greg graduated from Mt Alto/PSU then continued his education at PSU University Park Campus earning his B.S. and M.S. in Forestry. He was a member of Xi Sigma Pi honorary forestry fraternity and Tau Phi Delta fraternity, where he served as treasurer and president. Following graduation Greg served our country in Vietnam as an Army First Lieutenant.
When Greg completed his military service, his first forestry position was with a utility company, cutting trees. After that job, he avoided cutting trees.
Greg had an outstanding forestry career. For 32 years he worked for the Bureau of State Parks as Chief of the Division of Resource Management and Planning. He was responsible for directing the management of the natural resources and facility development in the Commonwealth’s state parks. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards for his work and service.
For those of us who had the good fortune to know and or work with Greg, we know he was an extremely quiet, modest, humble, patient, and kind man. He was dedicated to his family, profession, church, and community.
As a PFA Life Member, Greg was a very supportive and active member. For more than 10 years, he served as the association’s treasurer. His attention to details was a true asset.
Greg was passionate about planting trees, and encouraged others to do the same. He had a simple approach for planting; “put them in the ground throw some dirt and water on them, and walk away.”
Former PFA President Gene Odado noted, "Greg was like Rothrock's Pulpit Rock on South Mountain. He was always there for the PA Forestry Association standing tall and firm with the organization's finances." PFA President Richard Lewis noted, "Greg's knowledge of the financial workings of a non-profit organization allowed him skillfully manage PFA's finances through good and bad times. He will be greatly missed"
As a tribute to Greg, The Pennsylvania Forestry Association will plant a tree in his honor at the Lower Paxton Township Building. This is in cooperation with the Lower Paxton Township Shade Tree Commission, where he served as a board member. When the date and time of the planting is known, the information will be shared via email.
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A generous donation from a PFA leader brought to life by Ash trees
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From his time spent in the forest as a District Forester and landowner, Roy Siefert knew that once the Emerald Ash Borer was present in his woodlot, the fate of the trees was eminent. Being proactive, Roy worked with Wheeland Lumber, Keim Logging, and even his neighbor to conduct a horse logging timber harvest on his forest land. The proceeds from the sale of the timber was donated to three charities including a fund for the sons of Andy Graham (A Liberty-area logger killed in an accident), the North Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, and the Pennsylvania Forestry Association. For a full length article on the project,
click here.
The PFA Board thanks Roy for this generous donation. Look for more information in an upcoming edition of
Pennsylvania Forests.
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Log A Load For Kids Raises Over $7500 For PA Children’s Hospitals
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By: Richard Lewis, PFA President
The Pennsylvania forestry community recently raised over $7,500 for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) designated PA Children’s Hospitals by conducting a Log A Load For Kids Pheasant Hunt Sporting Event at the Warriors Mark Wing Shooting Lodge near Gintner, PA.
Under the Log A Load For Kids Program loggers (and others) donate the value of one load of logs (or any amount) to help critically ill and injured children at Children’s Miracle Network designated Children’s Hospitals.
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Thirty-six hunters braved blustry cold weather to participate in the 2018 Log A Load For Kids Pheasant Hunt and along with 19 sponsors raised the overall $7000+ donation amount for PA Children’s hospitals. The event sponsors were: Carl Rosenberry & Sons Lumber, Inc. ● Duane Cameron ● Dwight Lewis Lumber Company, Inc. ● Deer Park Lumber Co. Inc. ● Delullo Trucking ● Forcey Lumber Company, Inc. ● Cam & Craig Koons ● Marc Lewis ● Richard Lewis ● Michelle McManus ● PA Forestry Association ● Pennsylvania SFI® ● R. J. Hoffman & Sons Inc. ● Brian Rider ● Rorabaugh Lumber Co. ●Shultheis Roofing ● Tanner Lumber ● Wheeland Lumber Co., Inc. ● WOODBED Corp.
This Annual Log A Load For Kids Pheasant Hunt is hosted by the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association (PFPA) and the Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA). PFPA Membership Representative Bob Long (photo left) served as overall manager for this Log a Load Event. One of the original founders of this Log A Load Event that started over 25 years ago, Bob once again exhibited his longstanding personal commitment to the Log A Load For Kids Program and to Pennsylvania Children’s Hospitals.
The Pennsylvania Forest Products Association is a state-wide advocacy organization for all sectors of the forest products industry promoting the right and obligation of private landowners to sustainably manage their timberlands through sound timber harvesting practices. More information can be found on the PFPA web site at
www.paforestproducts.org
.
The Pennsylvania Forestry Association was founded in 1886 and represents landowners, industry and the public interested in the long-term health and sustainable management of all forestlands within the Commonwealth. More information can be found at the PFA website at
www.paforestry.org
.
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) was established nationally in 1983 to help children by actively supporting improved health care for millions of young people around the world. CMNH's mission is to generate funds and awareness programs for the benefit of children served by its associated hospitals, now numbering more than 170 nationwide.
http://cmnwi.org/
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Chainsaw Training at a Discount for Certified Tree Farmers
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Tree Farmers uses many tools to manage their woodlots. One of the more important and dangerous is the chainsaw. The PA Tree Farm Committee understands the value of practicing safe chainsaw operations and is pleased to offer a discounted price for PA Certified Tree Farmers to participate in Level 1 Game of Logging training. PA Tree Farm has formed a partnership with the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Implementation Committee that offers this training at a variety of locations throughout PA.
Game of Logging is acknowledged as one of the premier chainsaw safety and felling trainings in the United States. Instructors combine demonstration with participation to teach chainsaw safety, productivity, conservation, and cutting techniques that includes directional felling. Level 1 training topics include personal protective equipment, chainsaw safety features, chainsaw reactive forces, bore cutting, pre-planning the fell, and understanding hinge wood strength.
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Dates and Locations
Registration is available on a first-come, first served basis. Class sizes are limited to 12 participants.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Howard, PA, Mark Ott Property - Meet at fire hall
Monday, April 23, 2018
Tuesday, April 17
Penfield, PA, Moshannon State Forest Office
Monday, April 30, 2018
Hillsgrove, PA, Loyalsock State Forest Office
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Tidioute, PA, Family Dollar - Tidioute
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
James Creek, PA, Trough Creek State Park
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To participate in this offer, Certified PA Tree Farmers should visit the SFI website at
www.sfiofpa.org/register
to register or call 888-734-9366. Participants will pay the full price of $95 to register. Please note that the registration is nonrefundable. Once the course is completed, the Certified Tree Farmer should contact Caleb Wright (
cwright@versantstrategies.net
or at 1-800-835-8065) to arrange the scholarship of $35. Information that you will need to provide Caleb will include your name, Tree Farm number, and date of Game Of Logging course completed. The course must be completed to receive the refund. This refund offer is valid for only the SFI offered Game of Logging Level 1 trainings. Check the SFI website for the schedule of courses beyond the listed dates.
PA Tree Farm Committee values landowners that are taking part in actively managing their forestland. This scholarship refund is only available to Certified Tree Farmers. To check on your status contact the PFA office at (800) 835-8065. Stay tuned for more information about benefits offered to Certified Tree Farmers that will help you be safe on the job and learn skills needed to manage high quality forests.
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Recommended Forest Product Industry Best Management Practices for Control of Spotted Lanternfly
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Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture updated its Best Management Practices (BMP). The addition relates to management of the Spotted Lanternfly and Ailanthus. For the full listing of BMPs click the button below.
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2018 FEDERAL OMNIBUS BILL INCLUDES FIRE FUNDING FIX!
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As reported by the American Forest Foundation:
Recently, Congressional leaders passed the final 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Bill which included a comprehensive fix to the budgetary challenges within the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior around wildfire suppression funding. This milestone victory will ensure the Forest Service’s budget is no longer eroded year-after-year by ever-increasing wildfire costs. Additionally, the agency can continue to engage in its core mission—helping implement important forest practices that will assist in preventing the spread of wildfires, invasive insects and disease, and the many other challenges. Thank you to all who have helped with advocacy to make this fix possible!
In addition to funding the government and addressing the wildfire funding, there were a few extra legislative provisions in the bill that help Tree Farmers. The bill:
• Advises the EPA to align their procurement recommendations for wood and lumber to those used by the USDA’s BioPreferred program. This will ensure lumber from all domestic forest management standards is treated equally for federal procurement.
• Exempts NRCS conservation programs from the System for Award Management (SAM) & Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) requirements. Landowners will no longer be required to comply with bureaucratic SAM/DUNS processes simply to enroll in conservation programs.
• Includes language used in previous years’ bills to ensure biomass is treated as carbon neutral. We’ll also be tracking updates on appropriation bills for Fiscal Year 2019 as the process moves forward.
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PA Tree Farm Update
Important Upcoming Dates:
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2017 Outstanding PA Tree Farmers of the Year Field Day
Date:
Saturday, May 12
Time:
9:30am - 3:00 pm
Location:
Perkey Tree Farm
Greene County, PA
Registration:
1-800-835-8065 or thePFA@paforestry.org
Tractor Safety Training
Date:
Saturday, June 9
Time:
11:00 am
Location
: Burnham Woodlot
Washington County, PA
Registration:
http//evite.me/M8dCglUrc4 or swpwopa.com
PA Tree Farm Committee Meeting
Date:
Thursday, June 14
Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Centre County/Penn State Visitor Center/CPCVB, (800 E. Park Ave, State College, PA. 16803)
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A Change in the Tree Farm Inspector Training Policy...
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Tree Farm Inspectors, please note the valuable information posted below:
Q: If an inspector has become inactive, meaning they have not done an inspection for more than 2 year, how can he/she be reactivated?
A: If an inspector has been trained to the current standard, 2015-2020 Standards, but has since become inactive, he/she can complete the online refresher to reactivate his/her status and begin performing inspections again. You are no longer required to take the full face-to-face training again. Online training is available under each Inspector’s account on the ATFS database at
www.atfsdatabase.org.
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Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Education
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The Pennsylvania Forestry Association is seeking nominations for the 2018 Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Education. This award honors individuals or programs designing, developing, and implementing educational programs focused on the conservation and management of Pennsylvania’s natural resources. Nominations are by letter of support and include background information on the nominee, such as would be included in a vita. As well, the nominator should provide information on program focus (e.g., water, forests, recreation, wildlife), principle audiences affected (e.g., adults, students, youth programs, resource professionals), geographic area targeted (e.g., statewide, region, county, school district), and, if possible, behavior or impact changes linked to the program. Each nomination must also include three letters of support for the nominee. Deadline for application is August 1, 2018.
For more information or to submit a nomination, contact the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Attention: Cochran Award Chairman, 116 Pine Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101 or email: thePFA@paforestry.org.
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Each year at its annual meeting, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA) recognizes an individual, organization or group’s significant contributions to the public recognition of the importance of Pennsylvania’s forest resources in the same tradition and spirit of Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock. Dr. Rothrock served as the first president of PFA and earned the title, “Father of Forestry in Pennsylvania,” through his untiring efforts to promote the forest conservation movement in Pennsylvania.
NOMINEES FOR THE AWARD WILL BE EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THREE SELECTION CRITERIA
- Value of contributions to the continued conservation of Pennsylvania’s forest resource. (60%)
- Public recognition and stature of the individual in the field of resource conservation. (30%)
- Other Unique or special considerations which demonstrate a long term commitment to conservation. (10%)
Nominations for the award should address these three criteria in appropriate detail.
Nominations are welcome from any interested individual or group. The deadline for nominations is August 1, 2018. Membership in the PFA is not a requirement for the nominee or those submitting a nomination. For more information or to submit a nomination, contact the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Attention: Rothrock Award Chairman, 116 Pine Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101 or email: thePFA@paforestry.org.
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EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
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Allegheny SAF offering a Deer Management Workshop
Discount offered to PFA Members
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The Pinchot Chapter Allegheny SAF will be hosting a Deer Management Workshop and Chapter meeting on May 10, 2018 at Nescopeck State Park - Environmental Center, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums, PA 18222. The program will begin at 10:00 am. Below is the current agenda.
10:00am - Introductions
10:15am to noon - Presentation concerning deer management with speaker Dr. Christopher Rosenberry - Pennsylvania Game Commission Deer Management Section Supervisor and/or Bret Wallingford a deer biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Deer and Elk Management Section in the Bureau of Wildlife Management. Topic: Status of deer management including antlerless allocations, results of fawn survival study, chronic wasting disease and deer movements from current and past studies.
Lunch at
noon
1:00pm to 1:30pm - Recap of Deer Committee meeting and testimony at the Game Commission January meeting,
1:30pm to 1:45pm - Summary of Allegheny SAF winter meeting
1:45pm to 2:30pm - Pinchot Chapter business meeting.
The cost to attend the workshop will be $10.00/person for SAF members and $20.00/person for nonmembers; this includes lunch and drinks for each attendee.
Pennsylvania Forestry Association members can elect to attend at the $10 member rate! Checks are to be made out to “Allegheny Society of American Foresters” and sent to Robert Remillard (Treasurer) at 103 Maple Court, Milford, PA 18337. For questions you can contact Robert Remillard at 585-764-8611 or email at
remrdr@aol.com. SAF continuing educations credits have been requested for this meeting.
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Conservation Easements for Private Forest Landowners
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The North Central Forest Landowners Association is hosting a meeting on
Sunday, April 22nd from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Conservation Easements for Private Forest Landowners at the Jim and Linda Finley Woodlot. Matt Marusiak, Land Protection Manager with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, will provide a presentation on Conservation Easements for Private Forest Landowners at the Royal Inn location. After the presentation, participants will tour a nearby property held by Linda and Jim Finley who recently worked with WPC to place a conservation easement on their property.
This event is free, but participants must register by April 18 by contacting Matt Marusiak at (814) 776-1114.
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2018 PFA Ramble and Henry Wessel Tree Plantings
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The Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA) has been leading an effort to plant trees on the Sproul State Forest for several decades with their annual Tree Planting Ramble. For the first time we are pleased to provide funding to help support tree planting opportunities on additional state forests due to funds provided by the late Henry "Hank" Wessel, a long-time participant whose family still participates.
This year PFA is providing funding to the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to assist in expanding the effort to other state forests. Join in one or more of the events by volunteering to plant tree seedlings on state forest lands to reestablish forests on disturbed lands.
These projects are great for families because you can return whenever it is convenient to you and see the results of your effort and pass your conservation ethic on to the younger generation. Gather your family, roll up your sleeves, put on some gloves and help provide the personal touch to plant a tree and enjoy a day on state forest land. You even get a free lunch!
PFA is supporting three efforts this year. Please register your participation with the links provided so we have ample food and equipment for everyone.
April 20 and 21, 2018
Moshannon State Forest
April 20, 2018
Weiser State Forest
April 28, 2018
Sproul State Forest
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Public invited to “Tree Farm” Field Day
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(RUTAN) Arlyn and Marial Perkey, 2017 Pennsylvania Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, invite you to their Greene County, Pennsylvania Tree Farm. They are anxious to share 27 years of releasing crop trees, controlling invasive species, influencing wildlife habitat, and improving the aesthetic appeal of their 77 acres of forest and grassland. Arlyn, a retired Forest Service Silviculturist, spent much of his career practicing, studying, and writing about crop tree management.
The Field Day will be held Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Perkey Tree Farm in Rutan Pennsylvania, Greene County. The field day is sponsored by The Pennsylvania Forestry Association Tree Farm Program.
The Perkeys have engaged 11 presenters to explain numerous forestry and wildlife habitat treatments, share minerals management experiences, discuss forest regeneration practices, and relate road construction and maintenance history. Forestry and natural resource professionals will be stationed along pre-planned walkways discussing various relevant management activities and observations. Visitors will tour the property, spending as much or as little time as they wish at the educational stations they chose to visit. Volunteer ambassadors will help visitors locate and join presentations as they are in progress. Dress appropriately for the weather and your walking ability.
This field day is intended for landowners and others interested in forests and wildlife. It will provide attendees with a better understanding of how forests are managed for many objectives including, timber, wildlife, water, recreation, energy (natural gas), and the conservation of unique areas. The field day will provide information to participants on how they can begin to manage their own properties to meet various objectives. This field day will emphasize walking and talking vs. sitting and listening.
Those interested in attending must pre-register by Monday May 7, 2018. There is a $20.00 per person registration fee which includes lunch, refreshments, and educational materials. To register please contact the Pennsylvania Forestry Association at 1-800-835-8065 or email thePFA@paforestry.org. For questions please contact the Penn State Extension office in Centre County at 814-355-4897 or e-mail drj11@psu.edu.
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Mifflin, Juniata, Perry County Woodland Owners Association Announces 2018 Schedule
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March 24
Your Woodland Legacy: Tools for Estate Planning
Presenter: Dr. Allyson Muth, Forest Stewardship Program Associate , Penn State
Presenter: Attorney Karen Hackman, RHP Law Group
Location: Tuscarora State Forest Office 4455 Big Spring Rd. Blain, PA 17006
Contact Person: Luke Book - 717-536-3191
April 28
9:00-2:00 pm
Kid Connection
(volunteer at MJPWOA booth)
Location: Downtown Lewistown
Presenters: Gerald Hoy, BOF Volunteers - Mifflin WOA
Contact Person: Gerald Hoy - 570-922-3344
June 8
6:00-8:00 pm
Good Warbler Habitat = Good Deer Habitat—Tour
Location: Tuscarora Grange Hall,
Route 75, near Fisher Lane,
1/2 mile north of East Waterford, PA
Presenters: Brent Knepp - Landowner, Melissa Erdman - NRCS
Contact Person: Luke Book - 717-536-3191
June 15
9:00-3:30 pm
Agroforestry Workshop
Location: Reedsville Vol. Fire Company
August 31 @ 6:00-8:00 pm Chesapeake Bay & Riparian Forest Buffers site visit
Location: Union Twp. Building
95 North Penn Street
Belleville, PA 17004
Presenters: Trevor Weaver, Mifflin Conservation Adrienne Gemberling, Chesapeake Conservancy
Contact Person: Dan Dunmire - 717-248-4695
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(Press Release)
(Press Release)
Last summer, one of the many fires with which federal and local officials had to contend raged in the Umpqua National Forest in southwest Oregon, close to the California border. During one flight over the fire in August, a Bureau of Land Management pilot saw something he later said “wasn’t supposed to be... -
Washington Post
You might know the Lehigh River as the whitewater that rushes through picturesque Lehigh Gorge State Park in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. But the gushing river actually starts as a series of tiny, pristine streams in what’s known as headwaters. The Wildlands Conservancy just bought 500 acres of land containing... -
Philadelphia Inquirer
Crawford County residents should be vigilant to prevent the spread of a major pest that was destructive in more than a dozen Pennsylvania counties last summer. The spotted lanternfly caused a quarantine, or restricting the movement of materials, to prevent transporting insects in 13 counties in the state in... -
Meadville Tribune
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The Pennsylvania Forestry Association | 1(800) 835-8065 | thePFA@paforestry.org | www.paforestry.org
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STAY CONNECTED | #ForestProud
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