Activities start at 3:00 PM

Refreshments - Silent Auction - Card Games - Raffles - 50/50 Cash Drawing - Chainsaw Drawing - Door Prizes

At 5:00 PM Live Auction Starts

Come and Bid! Great items for a worthy cause!

6:30 PM - Dinner Served

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association depends on this event to finance its forest conservation mission and day-to-day operations. Your support is important! To facilitate event planning, please purchase tickets and donate auction items early. All donations are GREATLY appreciated. Please notify the PFA Office know what items you plan to donate by emailing cwright@versantstrategies.net .

 

This event is open to everyone, you need not be a PFA member to join the fun and have the chance at winning $10,000 . A ticket would make a great gift for family members or outstanding employees. Join with a few friends on a "pool" ticket. Ticket holders need not be present to win. Tickets go FAST , get yours today! Come and join the fun!

Overnight accommodations are available at the Genetti Hotel. For room reservations, call the hotel directly at 1-800-321-1388.

Ask for the PFA Conservation Dinner room rate.

PFA members are welcome and invited to attend the upcoming Allegheny SAF Meeting. The meeting features a "Forests and People" themed educational program (with over 25 presentations) and will kick off with special private opening night "ice breaker" reception at the spectacular $100 million Gettysburg National Historic Military Park Visitors Center with viewing of the big screen movie and cyclorama, and access to the museum and book store at this wonderful venue. Full registration and agenda info here https://sites.psu.edu/ansafwinter2018/

On Feb 21st the meeting will also offer a morning Tree Farm Inspector Certification Session at no cost. This training is open to anyone interested becoming certified by the American Tree Farm System to inspect family owned forestland to the Tree Farm Standard. The minimum qualification to become an inspector includes a 2 yr. or 4 yr. forestry degree from an SAF accredited program. All those wishing to inspect and certify Tree Farms must attend an initial face-to-face training class. 

In addition, on Feb 21st an afternoon Forestry Pesticide Training Workshop will be held. This workshop will cover Herbicide Application Equipment and Techniques, Invasive Plant Management in Forest and Fields of Pennsylvania, and Personal and Environmental Safety of Forestry Herbicides. The cost of the Workshop is $50. Please note that PFA has obtained a special discounted registration fee of $10 for the Pesticide Training Workshop for all Pennsylvania Tree Farmers. Click the button below to download the registration form.

Full registration and agenda info here: https://sites.psu.edu/ansafwinter2018/  

The Glatfelter Company is exploring "strategic alternatives" for its specialty papers business, including the possible sale of the Spring Grove, PA pulp and paper mill. The specialty papers business unit includes mills in Spring Grove as well as Chillicothe and Fremont, OH. 

According to Company management, "This was not an easy decision, especially given the strong heritage of Specialty Papers and the long-standing relationships with our communities," 

More details here:  Glatfelter paper plant in Spring Grove might be sold

(Mifflintown, PA, January 24, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018 during a town hall at Reinford Farms in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania. 

“Since my first day as the Secretary of Agriculture, I’ve traveled to 30 states, listening to the people of American agriculture about what is working and what is not. The conversations we had and the people we came across helped us craft USDA’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018,” said Secretary Perdue. “These principles will be used as a road map – they are our way of letting Congress know what we’ve heard from the hard-working men and women of American agriculture. While we understand it’s the legislature’s job to write the Farm Bill, USDA will be right there providing whatever counsel Congress may request or require.”

In regard to the forest industry:

NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT

• Make America’s forests work again through proactive cost-effective management based on data and sound science. 

• Expand Good Neighbor Authority and increase coordination with states to promote job creation and improve forest health through shared stewardship and stakeholder input. 

• Reduce litigative risk and regulatory impediments to timely environmental review, sound harvesting, fire management and habitat protection to improve forest health while providing jobs and prosperity to rural communities. 

• Offer the tools and resources that incentivize private stewardship and retention of forest land. 

From: Randall Bauman,

Regional Forester

Pennsylvania Game Commission

Southeast Region

Office: 610-926-3136 X 6686

Email: rbauman@pa.gov

We are currently looking to hire two college students as forestry interns for this summer. Applicants must have taken a tree ID class and must be returning to college in the fall. Information on this job can be found on the PGC website under Information and Resources/ Careers and Volunteers. Please forward this information to anyone you know who may be interested. If there are any questions please contact me.

Two Assistant positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Tracy Langkilde (http://www.personal.psu.edu/tll30/) at The Pennsylvania State University. The Assistant will work directly under Dr. Christopher Howey (chowey.net) and will assist with an ongoing project investigating the effects of prescribed fire on timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus). The main responsibilities of the position will be to assist in the capture and processing of timber rattlesnakes, the radio telemetry of timber rattlesnakes, the collection of habitat use and habitat availability data, processing of operative temperature data, and measurement of preferred body temperature data. More information can be found here: https://psu.jobs/job/76876

http://www.nedsmithcenter.org/kopp-exhibit-in-olewine-gallery/

Faye Arleen and Lawrence Joseph Kopp Butterflies and Moths Collections - weather permitting, Saturdays 1:00 – 4:00 PM, Jan through Mid-April 2018, with the exception

of March 3rd and March 17th. 

This is the last time we will have a full gallery exhibit of this collection of over 19,000 specimens valued at $ 516,000!

Those interested in a guided tour should contact john.laskowski@mothman.org on Fridays by 9:00 PM or call him (Voice messages ONLY, NO TEXTING) @ 717-307-5447 before 10:00 AM Saturdays prior to taking advantage of these guided tours.

Also, Tuesdays through Saturdays the Center galleries and gift shop will be open for self – directed tours.

The Ned Smith Center is located 1.5 miles east of the Square of Millersburg along Route 200. Turn right at the square onto Route 209 off of Route 147. This is 27 miles north of Harrisburg via Route 322/ 22 W / Route 225 to intersection of Route 225/147. Continue north on 147/225 through Halifax to Millersburg.

I hope you can join us to kick off our 25th Anniversary Year events.

Thank you,

Be well,

John D. Laskowski, Mothman

PFA Board Member and 

Collections Curator

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

February is a great time of the year to get to the "heart" of your Penn's Woods! Browse through these PA Woodland Resources: 

Do you or your organization have an innovative idea for solving a conservation challenge? Looking for a funding partner to help turn your idea into reality? The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service wants to help. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $10 million in the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, funding innovative conservation projects in three focus areas: grazing lands, organic systems and soil health. Grant proposals are due Feb. 26, 2018

The Secretary of Agriculture has a congressionally designated advisory council that assists the U.S. Forest Service in establishing the grant categories and recommendations of final proposals for the Forest Service to consider. This is the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (Council). The Council serves to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the status of the nation’s urban and community forests and related natural resources. The Council seeks to establish sustainable urban and community forests, by encouraging communities of all sizes to manage and protect their natural resources, which, if well managed, improves the public’s health, well-being, economic vitality, and creates resilient ecosystems for present and future generations. Urban and Community Forestry Program Requirements The Council recommends urban and community forestry projects that have national or multi-state application and impact through the U.S. Forest Service’s competitive Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program. A proposal’s content must meet the Urban and Community Forestry program authorities as designated by Congress in the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, (Section 9 PDF, pp. 19-24) State & Private Cooperative Forestry Handbook of Programs and the annual criteria set forth by the Council. A listing of the previously funded projects can be viewed at Urban Forestry South list of past NUCFAC grants.

Eligible Entities – Public and state controlled institutions of higher education; Private institutions of higher education; city or township governments; County governments.

Program Funding: $900,000. Award Ceiling: $200,000

Application Deadline – April 30, 2018

Spring 2018 Land Use and Natural Resources Courses from UC Davis Extension https://extension.ucdavis.edu/planning

Land Use and Natural Resources Online Information Session

•            Apr. 12: Thurs, Noon-1 p.m.

•            No charge. Enroll in section 174LAN100.

Clean Water Act Section 404: Nationwide and Other Specialized Permits

•            Mar. 27: Tues., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

•            $360. Enroll in section 174WAT312.

•            Special discounts: Info Session Discount and CAAA.

Online! CEQA: A Step-by-Step Approach

•            Apr. 9-May 14

•            $450. Enroll in section 174PRC101.

•            Special discounts: Info Session Discount, Group Discount, AEP, APA, BIA, ASLA and CAAA.

Many single day courses are available as well. To enroll or for more information and a full list of what we offer, visit UC Davis Extension at https://extension.ucdavis.edu/planning or call (800) 752-0881.

* * * * *

UC Davis Extension, the continuing and professional education division of UC Davis, has been an internationally recognized leader in educational outreach for individuals, organizations and communities for more than 50 years. With 62,000 annual enrollments in classroom and online university-level courses, UC Davis Extension serves lifelong learners in the growing Sacramento region, all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

Photo submitted by Craig and Janet Olver

My family owns a timber tree farm in Wayne County, Pennsylvania located south of Hancock, New York. This winter (2018) I was harvesting some of the larger ash trees from our forest. I discovered this 12 inch blow down ash tree that I decided to cut for firewood/pulpwood. The tree was covered with snow as I released it from the stump to determine if the log was good. The log made a half turn downhill exposing these white evenly spaced dots. I believe these white dots were made by a bobcat walking down the snow-covered log.

The PFA’s Annual Conservation Dinner is slated for Saturday, March 3 ^rd at the Genetti Hotel & Conference Center in Williamsport. Watch for details and a registration form in the upcoming winter issue of Pennsylvania Forests . Contact the PFA office for tickets!

2018 Tree Farm Inspector

Certification Training Sessions

Wednesday, February 21, 2018. 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM. 

Wyndham Gettysburg, 95 Presidential Circle, Gettysburg, PA

Wednesday, February 28, 2018. 11:30 PM - 2:30 PM. Forest Resources Building, Room 217, Penn State University Park

Sponsored by: The Pennsylvania Forestry Association Tree Farm  

    Committee and Penn State Extension

Trainings are open to anyone interested in becoming certified by the American Tree Farm System to inspect family owned forestland to the Tree Farm Standard. The minimum qualification to become an inspector includes a 2 yr. or 4 yr. forestry degree from an SAF accredited program. All those wishing to inspect and certify Tree Farms must attend an initial face-to-face training class. There is no charge for taking the class.

Prior Registration Required: Register by phone or email. Contact the Pennsylvania Forestry Association at (800) 835-8065 or thePFA@paforestry.org.

02-05-2018 DCNR Invites Applications for Environmental Careers Camp

  (Press Release)

02-04-2018 Ice trail: Go forest skating at South Park

If you thought ice skates traveled in only one direction — around and around and around — a new skate trail at South Park might put you on the right path. It’s part of a $3.4 million renovation of the old South Park ice skating rink by Allegheny County, the Regional Asset District, Pittsburgh... -  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

02-04-2018 What to do about winter damage on plants and trees?

Winter can be beautiful as snow bathes the landscape, creating a pristine appearance that is often magical in its ability to make us pause with wonder. But snow, ice and wind can do damage to plants and trees. This can leave homeowners wondering what to do. One place to turn for help is the Penn State Extension.... -  Uniontown Herald-Standard

02-02-2018 Despite Recent FCC Action, PUC Remains Hopeful That Rural Broadband Funding...

  (Press Release)

02-02-2018 PA 2018 Adult Trout Stocking Schedules Now Available

  (Press Release)



01-17-2018 DCNR Announces New State Park Managerial Appointments

  (Press Release)