Issue #10

Sustaining PA Forests

 

 

Problem, Opportunity Statement

 

Rural Forests

Pennsylvania ’s 17 million forested acres support a $5 billion forest products industry that employs nearly 100,000 people. This extensive forest makes it the nation’s leader in hardwood lumber production and an important supplier of non-timber products sought after by many nations.

 

Nearly three-quarters of the state’s forestland is in private ownership. The decisions these landowners make have long-term impacts on forest values and productivity. Therefore, for example, poorly conceived and executed timber harvests are a concern. If widely adopted, Best Management Practices already established for the state could improve the future condition of the state’s forests. However, recent inventories indicate an increase in less desirable lower quality species, inadequate regeneration, and more invasive plants.

 

The Forest Stewardship Program and now the Forest Land Enhancement Program funded by the United States Forest Service and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry represent a unique partnership with extension developing and delivering educational materials and programs to reach private forest stakeholders. These stakeholders include landowners, foresters, loggers, industry and the diverse publics who benefit from long-term forest stewardship. Especially important are the state’s youth, the future owners and benefactors of responsible forest resource management.

 

Extension continues to develop and deliver objective research-based education programs to stakeholders that address myriad issues including, for example: taxation, land parcelization, estate planning, forest management planning, silviculture, biodiversity, water resources protection, recreational opportunities marketing and non-timber forest products. Extension has the opportunity to capture new clientele, today and into the future, by proactively developing partnerships, locally and globally, that will reach forest resource stakeholders.

 

Community Forests

Pennsylvania ’s citizens and visitors draw myriad social, economic and ecological benefits and services from forests. Trees, parks and open spaces have been an integral part of communities since the first American settlements, and they continue to have important impacts on human health, welfare and safety. Even though nature benefits municipalities, public and private trees and landscapes continue to be improperly managed and ignored in ongoing community development.

 

When Pennsylvania ’s Extension Urban Forestry Program started in 1991, only 28 percent of municipalities had any kind of tree care program and many public trees and parks were in poor condition. Many municipalities continue to think that they should not spend their limited resources on trees and parks. As a result, municipalities continue to have unattractive business districts, pay cleanup costs resulting from poorly maintained trees, endure power outages, experience property damage and injuries caused by hazardous trees, and experience declining property value and municipal image because of poorly planned park and open space conservation.

 

The Extension Urban Forestry Program is successful in assisting municipalities and volunteer groups in developing sustainable community forestry programs through education, technical assistance, publications and assistance with grants. The program offers workshops, conferences and educational and technical assistance opportunities on a wide range of topics to municipal tree, environmental advisory and planning commissions; community leaders; volunteer groups; young people and teachers; underserved people; members of the green industries; and the general public.

 

Funding and planning for this program of education and assistance has been coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, the United States Forest Service and the Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council. The Council, a 501c3 organization, provides linkages with many partnerships, including other state agencies, associations of cities, boroughs, and counties, non-profits, green industries and utilities.

 

 

Subject Matter Areas

 

·        Forest Resources Management

 

·        Community Forests

 

·        Specialty Forest Products

 

 

Program Titles and/or Program Topics by Subject Matter Area

 

·        Forest Resources Management

o       Forest Ecology

o       Forest Finance

o       Forest Stewardship

o       Forestry Careers

o       Legal and Regulatory Issues

o       Recreation

o       Silviculture

o       Timber Harvesting

o       Water Resources Protection

 

·        Specialty Forest Products

o       Herb, Medicinal, Fungi, and Decorative

o       Maple Production

o       Marketing

 

·        Community Forests

o       Community Forest Management

o       Arboriculture/Tree Maintenance

o       Municipal Tree and Environmental Advisory Commissions

o       Land Use Planning, Open Space, and Greenway Conservation

o       Education Support of Green Industries

o       Community Forestry Careers

 

Resources

 

  • Sustaining Rural and Community Forests
    • Agencies
    • Associations/Organizations
    • Extension Educators
    • Faculty
    • Funding/Grants
    • Government Officials/Staff
    • Industry/Producers
    • Landowners
    • Leaders
    • Public
    • Resource Professionals
    • Teachers
    • Universities
    • Volunteers
    • Youth

 

Indicators

 

·        Number of acres potentially impacted by sustainable forestry practices.

·        Number of individuals gaining knowledge of sustainable forestry practices.

·        Number of individuals intending to implement sustainable forestry practices.

·        Number of individuals intending to obtain services of a resource management professional.

·        Number of individuals implementing sustainable forestry practices.                 

·        Number of individuals intending to work with a resource management professional.

·        Number of youth participating/completing an educational or career program.

·        Number of trees planted and/or properly maintained.

·        Number of individuals becoming certified arborists.

·        Number of tree commissions formed.

·        Number of street tree ordinances adopted.

·        Number of individuals gaining knowledge of tree maintenance standards.

·        Number of individuals implementing tree maintenance standards.

·        Number of individuals gaining knowledge of marketing, cultural, and/or production skills for specialty forest products.