March 2019 | #ForestProud
Pennsylvania Forestry Association
News You Can Use
Off and Running
Increasing PFA’s Government Affairs Presence
 
PFA participated in a “listening session” roundtable meeting with US Congressman Glenn Thompson on March 11th. During the session PFA described the impact the Trump Administration’s Chinese tariff policy was having from the stump to the mill on the Pennsylvania hardwood industry. Congressman Thompson indicated that he was very aware of the negative impact the tariffs were having on the industry and noted, “President Trump does not like tariffs” but he feels the tariffs are a necessary “hammer“ to achieve free trade. The Congressman also stated that, “some progress is being made with China“ on the tariff/trade issues. Thompson also noted that China’s “growing middle-class” was speaking out on the tariff/trade issues and indicated that this was an unusual happening in a communist country. During listening session discussions, it was also brought out that although the farm community received $12 billion in tariff price support that helped soybean and other farmers to weather the tariff battle, no similar subsidies have been forthcoming for the hardwood industry.
PFA has accepted an invitation to attend and meet with Speaker of the PA State House of Representatives Mike Turzai at an Ag Representatives Dinner on March 20.
 
I am pleased that PFA is continuing to increase its role and visibility in the government relations arena. 
 
On March 6th PFA leadership members met with DCNR secretary Cindy Dunn and DCNR staff to discuss the work of PFA’s new Forest Heritage Committee. PFA outlined the idea of including a “Crucible of Conservation” Discovery Center in the future new Michaux State Forest Office Building. This concept includes DCNR dedicating space in the future new office building for a center that will be developed by PFA and other project partners. Secretary Dunn and the DCNR staff expressed support for the concept and there was a consensus around the table to move forward with a “Feasibility Study“ for this future project.
 
I offer my personal “thanks for a job well done” to all the PFA Members who pitched in time, energy, and dollars to make PFA’s 2019 Conservation Banquet a successful fund raising event.
 
Richard Lewis
PFA President   
#forestproud
rlewis7575@aol.com
We have a winner!
The 34th Annual PFA Conservation Dinner was held at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport on March 2nd. This event is the major fundraiser for PFA each year. The dinner was well attended and provided a great chance to network and catch up with people. The Silent and Live auctions had plenty for everyone to find something to bid on. Great food was served prior to the highlight of the evening, the drawdown to the grand prize winner of $10,000. The winner this year was Kathy Cummings!
 
Mark Ott, the Dinner Committee Chair thanks all those who helped make this event happen. Even more so, he thanks those who bought tickets for a chance at the grand prize making this annual fete a success. Tell your friends. We need to sell about 20 more tickets to sell out next year. The more tickets you get, the better your odds!
The winning lineup!
Jim Finley announcing numbers.
Roy Siefert ensuring accuracy and tracking the numbers drawn.
Guests waiting in anticipation.
The high selling live auction item, a beautifully restored rifle.
Attendees supporting the event during the live auction.
PA Tree Farm Update
PA Tree Farm Committee members, Area Chairs and Inspectors had a great time discussing the 2019 inspection processes and procedures! The 2019 Inspection priorities and requirements were discussed, as well as a review of the inspection process and how to use the new Form 004 PDF Uploader software. Thanks to those who were able to join us. In case you missed it, or would like to re-watch the 30 minute webinar, click the link below. This will also be posted on the PA Tree Farm Website ( www.patreefarm.org ) and the Pennsylvania Forestry Association website ( www.paforestry.org ). Click the link below for access:
 
 
Feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested!
 
Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 4, 2019 to attend the PA Tree Farmer of the Year Field Day at Bob and Jane Slagter's Tree Farm in Warren County. The Slagter's have a great day of tours and fellowship planned. More information will be coming in the next newsletter.  
SAVE THE DATE: Slagter Tree Farm of the Year Field Day
Saturday, May 4th, 2019, 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Bob and Jane Slagter Tree Farm, Warren County
344 Stoney Hollow Lane, Grand Valley, PA 16420
(The GPS is close but not exact - there will be signs when you are close)
Program and Activities:
* Aquatic insects and fly fishing exhibition
* Trees to floors, how it happens
* Wildflower Walk
* Forstry practices on the property
Registration Fee: $10.00 per person- lunch included
(Make check payable: PFA-TF)
Contact the PFA office to register:  thepfa@paforestry.org
Or call: 800-835-8065 Please register by April 26
Funds Available for Forestry Education Projects
Since 2014, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association has guided and administered the Lloyd Casey Memorial Fund, honoring Casey, a PFA Past President who was a dedicated forestry educator. The fund has supported project funding for forestry education workshops and projects that reflect Casey’s commitment to educating forest landowners. The Casey Fund received many donations from within the PFA organization, from Casey colleagues and friends, and from two partners: the Allegheny Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA).

During 2017, the PFA received a very generous unrestricted donation from the estate of PFA Past President Bob Rumpf. With the review of the Casey family heirs, the Rumpf family heirs, The Allegheny SAF and the NWOA, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association agreed to merge the Casey Fund, the Rumpf donation and a small PFA Project Learning Tree earmark into a new PFA Memorial Forestry Education Fund. 

We are excited about the expanded possibilities that this merged fund has presented. During 2017, the fund provided significant project funding to two entities, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (which conducted three regional workshops for landowners on the Woods in Your Backyard), and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (which has completed Conservation Easement workshops with additional education in 2018). The 2018 funding round supported the innovative Walk in Penn’s Woods Partnership.

The overall aim of the new fund reflects that of the original, but the new memorial fund significantly expands opportunities for forest education workshops and projects in Pennsylvania. We especially invite our members and friends to donate to the new fund; please help us help the owners of Penn’s Woods take care of our future forest! We also invite allied organizations to apply for funds to carry out your forestry education projects and workshops . Contact PFA Memorial Forestry Education Fund Committee Chair. Mike Powell, ( mjp175@psu.edu) for application details.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL LOG A LOAD FOR KIDS PHEASANT SHOOT
Thirty-six shooters had a great day Saturday March 9 th, both weather wise and event wise, at the Annual Log A Load For Kids Pheasant Shoot hosted by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association. All the participants were very safe, enjoyed themselves immensely, and took home birds. The birds flew evenly around the course so everyone had a lot of shooting and, of course, the prime rib meal was a big hit as always. One of the shooters donated an additional $250 and the shooter of the “money bird” donated his winnings of $340. Bob Long continued the great job he always does managing this event.
In total $9000+ was raised to support PA Children’s Miracle Network designated Children’s Hospitals to care for injured and critically ill children
Forestry News You Can Use
Online Course for Spotted Lanternfly Permits
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences has created an online permitting course for businesses and organizations moving within or from the quarantine zone of the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF). You can find information on the course at https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly.  
 
Companies should designate specific employees to take the course. Once a designated employee passes this course, his or her company will receive spotted lanternfly permits for company vehicles. The designated employee must train fellow employees to work in the quarantine zone without inadvertently spreading these insects and endangering agriculture and commerce. This course includes fact sheets to use with training.
 
If you have questions on the permitting process, email the PA Department of Agriculture at slfpermit@pa.gov .   
 
In addition, homeowner fact sheets and information, along with the process to report any sightings of SLF across the state are on the PSU website at extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly (or you can just search PSU SLF). Penn State also have a SLF hotline set up to answer questions from the public and to report sightings outside of the quarantine zone - 888-4-BADFLY (888-422-3359) toll-free.
WITF Conservation Heritage Documentary Series-New Release-"Penn's Woods: Cradle of Conservation"
This is a 57 minute documentary looking at how Pennsylvania's natural resources helped transform the state into an industrial powerhouse. With economic booms and revolutions in natural resource extraction came an environmental price. Pennsylvanian's set about restoring the state's environmental riches and in the process helped shape the national conservation and environmental movements of the 20th century.

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association will be sponsoring a reception and a public viewing of the new documentary at the PA State Museum on May 29th. Details will be forthcoming in future editions of the News You Can Use.

There are eight(8) documentaries in the series:
  • The Life of Maurice Goddard( 57 minutes)
  • Mira Lloyd Dock: A Beautiful Crusade( 27 Minutes)
  • Gifford Pinchot's Conservation Legacy( 27 Minutes)
  • Straight Talk: The Ralph Abele Story( 27 Minutes)
  • Ned Smith: Gone for the Day( 27 Minutes)
  • Rachel Carson: Force of Nature( 27 Minutes)
  • Justice in Chester( 27 minutes)
You can watch the documentaries online at paconservationheritage.org.
 
Also, Educators' Guides  for the Maurice Goddard, Mira LLoyd Dock, Gifford Pinchot, Ralph Abele, Ned Smith and Rachel Carson documentaries as well as other educational resources to learn about the Commonwealth's rich conservation legacy are online at paconservationheritage.org.
EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
PSU Extension invites you to join their events
Pruning Woody Plants
Thursday, April 11, 2019 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Meadowood Senior Living
Worcester PA 19490
Register at extension.psu.edu/pruningforprofessionals
 
Tree Tender Training
Thursday, May 2, 2019 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Delaware Valley Trust
Horsham PA 19044
Register at extension.psu.edu/tree-tenders
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is seeking volunteers for the annual Weiser Earth Day tree planting on Saturday, April 20 th from 9-1 PM. This year, we will be reforesting two acres of legacy mine land. This is ½ the size of last year’s event and will require fewer hands. Register today to hold a spot! This will be the fourth year for this event.
American Tree Farm System Fly In and Hill Day
 Please join us in Washington, DC April 29-May 1 for the 2019 ATFS Fly-In and Hill Day. This event is an opportunity for Tree Farmers from across the country to meet with Members of Congress and share the importance of the hard work landowners do to keep their woods healthy. Attendees will get the inside scoop on issues and policies the new 116th Congress will be focusing on and how it will affect America’s forests. Help us build a strong voice in Washington by sharing this information with your state’s Tree Farm program and encourage landowners to register before February 1 to have their registration fee waived. For questions about the event, contact Natalie Alex ( nomundson@forestfoundation.org ), AFF Policy and Conservation Coordinator.
In the news
Spring is just days away, and even though that should put a spring in everyone’s step, keep the following in mind: the warmer, sunnier days will be accompanied by the wailing of cicadas. Probably sometime in May or June, though their exact arrival can be hard to... - Washington Observer-Reporter

They’re as dramatic as they are rare. Lightning strikes are magnificent in an otherworldly, catastrophic way. They’re all power and speed and destructiveness. Some even cause wildfires. But, in that regard at least, they’re far outdone by the mundane, the ordinary, the common. Or, the all too common.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

  (Press Release)

A sycamore tree slammed to the ground in Dead Man’s Hollow near McKeesport late last summer, cutting off a section of narrow hiking trail that Dead Man’s Run later swept out of its banks to plunder. It rushed away with so much topsoil and subsoil that the trail was left a foot lower,... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pennsylvania Forestry Association | 1(800) 835-8065 | thePFA@paforestry.org | www.paforestry.org