Penn State's School of Forest Resources and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are teaming up to offer a new Junior Forest Steward Program to teach youth about forests and the concept of forest stewardship.

“Pennsylvania youth often know very little about the forests and natural areas that cover the state,” said Sanford Smith, Penn State Cooperative Extension natural resources and youth-education specialist, and the creator of the Junior Forest Steward Program.

"We believe this new educational initiative will get kids excited about, and interested in, Penn's Woods," Smith said. "We're targeting youths 8 to 12 years old."

To request copies of the Junior Forest Steward publication, contact Penn State's Forest Resources Extension Office at 814-863-0401 or toll-free at 800-235-9473.

For more information, visit the Junior Forest Steward Program webpage or contact Sanford Smith at 814-865-4261. (Reprinted from DCNR Resource newsletter.)

3/30/2007