On July 12, The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources received the Leadership Award from the Forest Stewardship Council for 25 years of positive forest management.

“The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is excited to celebrate this incredible honor, which highlights 25 years of management certification and the tremendous work of our Bureau of Forestry to be a national leader in forest conservation,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “These efforts ensure we have healthy, vibrant forests for wildlife habitat, sustainable forest products, and more. Congratulations to our Forestry staff for this well-deserved honor.”

In addition to receiving the award for 25 years of Forest Stewardship Council forest management certification, the Bureau of Forestry was credited with proving success across a wide range of forest conditions, multiple agencies, and evolving public expectations.

The Forest Stewardship Council is a trusted national and international forest certification organization and its leadership awards recognize uncommon excellence that advances responsible forest management and forest conservation.

“We are truly humbled and honored to receive this award and we intend to continue to be leaders in sustainably managing forestland and working to preserve natural spaces for future generations," State Forester Seth Cassell said. “I believe our team in the Bureau of Forestry is second to none. This award proves that our work and commitment to excellence is truly making a difference. Thank you to the Forest Stewardship Council for recognizing our work."

The Bureau of Forestry was among the 20 recipients of recognition in 2023, which follows a successful audit announced last year.

Visit DCNR’s State Forest Dual Certification webpage for more information.

[Shale Gas Drilling Update

[One of the main threats to State Forests is the extensive shale gas development of 251,233 acres of State Forest leased by Gov. Rendell for shale gas pads, pipelines, compressor stations and related infrastructure.

[Visit DCNRs Shale Gas Monitoring Update 2024 storymap for more information, including an interactive gas infrastructure map showing the build out on State Forest lands.]

Forests cover nearly 60 percent of the Commonwealth and Pennsylvania’s Forest Action Plan focuses on an array of values including--

-- Clean air and water

-- Recreation opportunities

-- Wood products

-- Habitat for thousands of plants and animals

-- Carbon storage

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is currently developing a strategic plan, Forests for All: A Plan for Pennsylvania’s Forests and People (PDF), which outlines the vision and mission for the future of the Commonwealth’s forests and its people rooted in strengthening the ecosystem management foundations laid by the agency and growing in its connections with people and communities.

The plan is currently undergoing review and finalization, and is subject to change.

The current plan outlines five goals in support of that vision and mission.

Pennsylvania’s state forest system extends into 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

It offers water and air purification, recreation, aesthetic beauty, plant and animal habitat, economic and societal benefits through provision of wood products, and environmentally sound utilization of mineral resources.

Pennsylvania is divided into 20 forest districts, responsible for protecting all forestland within their boundaries from fire, destructive insects and disease.

Visit DCNR’s Conservation Education Opportunities webpage for more on programs and opportunities for people of all ages in all regions.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Photo: Shale gas drill pads and pipelines on State Forest land.)

Resource Links:

-- Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group Asks DCNR To Protect State Forest Land From Seneca Shale Gas Drilling Well Pad, Comply With PA Supreme Court Decision, Protect Recreation, Wildlife [PaEN]

-- DEP: Seneca Resources Ignores NOVs On DCNR Shale Gas Well Pad Cleanup For 7 Months & Counting; Citizen Complaint Finds Homeowner Well Venting Gas; Multiple Tanker Truck Spills   [PaEN]

-- Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group: Potential Impacts Of Shale Gas Development Forest Fragmentation On Tioga State Forest Birds  [PaEN]

-- Member Of Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group Briefs DCNR Advisory Council On Siting Of Shale Gas Well Pad On State Forest Land To Accommodate Taking Gas From Private Land In Tioga County  [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Defense Foundation Advises DCNR Proposal To Replace State Forest Lost To Gas Drilling Does Not Meet Its Obligations As A Public Trustee [PaEN]

-- DCNR Proposes Replacing Recreational Value Lost From Gas Drilling On State Forest Land Bought With Federal Funds With Property In Chester County [PaEN]

-- Gov. Wolf Unveils State Forest Action Plan To Address Next 10 Years Of Strategic Initiatives In PA Forests; Shale Gas Development Promotes Forest Fragmentation [PaEN]

-- PA Supreme Court Again Declares Transfers From DCNR Oil & Gas Fund Unconstitutional Under Environmental Rights Amendment [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Defense Foundation Files Court Motion To Prevent Unconstitutional Spending Of DCNR Oil & Gas Revenues For Nonconservation Purposes [PaEN]

-- PA Supreme Court: Accounting Required For Environmental Rights Amendment Trust Fund Money From State Forest Oil & Gas Drilling [PaEN]

-- Exceptional Value Water Quality Designation, State Forest Land, River Honors Were Not Enough To Protect Loyalsock Creek From Natural Gas Drilling & Pipelines In Lycoming County [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Penn State Extension Hosts 5-Part Woodland Stewardship Webinar Series - Guided Engagement With Your Land Starting Sept. 25  [PaEN]

-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land Through Working Forests Conference Sept. 21; Annual Dinner Sept. 20 With Tim Palmer And Rosalie Haizlett, In Crawford County  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Issues Quarantine Order Establishing A Framework For Taking Actions To Prevent Damage To Nursery Stock From The Invasive Box Tree Moth  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Survey: Lyme Disease And The Lyme Disease Vaccine

[Posted: July 13, 2024]

7/15/2024