Pennsylvania Forestry Association - PFA

10/15/2026

Dear Pennsylvania Forestry Association members,

After the two past years of pretty severe droughts, we have finally had adequate rainfall to promote the growth of our wildflowers.

As a benefit of membership all PFA dues paying members are welcome and invited to visit our wildflower fields and cut a wildflower bouquet for your dinner table.

There are six mowed paths through the wildflowers for easy access.

The wildflowers are very fragile so bring along a bucket or a vase and plan to fill it up with water from the hose bib that is located between the garage doors on our house before you start cutting the wildflowers.

No reservations are needed, and you are welcome to come whether or not we are home.

The wildflowers are at full/peak bloom right now and will remain that way until we have our first frost sometime in the next 10 - 15 days

And while you’re here, you may want to take a look at our Amish neighbor’s (Ben and Sadie Esh) farm stand that sits on the corner of our property by the wildflower fields.

With best wishes,

Richard and Jakie Lewis
PFA members
148 Crooked Creek Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
[email protected]

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

CALLING ALL FOREST EXPLORERS: Help Us Find the Lingering Hemlocks in Rothrock! 🌲
Pennsylvania’s state tree is in trouble. Eastern hemlock is being devastated by two invasive insects, the hemlock woolly adelgid and the elongate hemlock scale. Hemlocks anchor our cool, shaded streamside forests, protect water quality, and shelter wildlife from brook trout to songbirds. Losing them changes the whole forest.
But there’s hope, and you can help us find it.
What is the Lingering Hemlock Project?
In places where 80% or more of the hemlocks have died, researchers look for the rare trees still standing alive and healthy among the dead. These “lingering hemlocks” may carry natural genetic resistance to these pests. If we can find them, scientists can study them and work to protect and propagate that resistance, giving hemlocks a fighting chance to return to Pennsylvania’s forests.
Why it matters to the Bureau of Forestry
The DCNR Bureau of Forestry is charged with conserving and sustaining the long-term health, diversity, and productivity of Pennsylvania’s forests. Safeguarding hemlock for future generations is exactly that mission in action.
How the Lingering Hemlock Project Works
In areas where hemlock mortality hasn’t yet reached 80%, LHP will install Hemlock Health Monitoring Plots. Each plot covers about 20–40 living hemlocks. They mark and record the plot location, tag the trees, and document the site and any dead hemlocks. Then they revisit each year to track tree health, pest presence, and crown condition. Following hemlock decline over time helps researchers catch that 80% mark right as it happens, so we can find and save any resistant trees before they’re lost.
How YOU can help: use TreeSnap!
If you spot a hemlock that looks healthy among dying or dead hemlocks, report it:
1️⃣ Download the free TreeSnap app from your smartphone’s app store
2️⃣ Open the app
3️⃣ Under “Observe,” select “Hemlock”
4️⃣ Complete the prompts. Under “Collection purpose,” select “Lingering hemlock(s) data reporting”
5️⃣ Keep answering as new questions appear. Many are optional, but the more information you give, the better it is for the researcher reviewing your submission
6️⃣ Select “Save”
7️⃣ Choose “Upload Now” or “Upload Later.” Choose “Upload Later” if you’re outside cellular service. TreeSnap will remind you when an observation is ready to upload
🎥 Not sure what to look for? Watch the training video and find helpful field guides, photo tips, and more here:
👉 https://lingeringhemlockproject.org/lingeringhemlocksearch/lingering-hemlock-search-resources/
Every hiker, angler, hunter, birder, and curious walker in the woods is a potential citizen scientist. Your sharp eyes could help save a species! So next time you’re out on the trails, keep watch. Let’s find those lingering hemlocks in Rothrock! 🔍🌲

10/13/2026

We are thrilled to invite you to the Pennsylvania Forestry Association's 140th Anniversary Symposium on November 7 at The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. This event commemorates 140 years of dedicated forest stewardship and features a keynote from a renowned forester, who will share insights on conservation and the future of our woodlands. This is a fantastic opportunity for forestry professionals, woodland owners, and conservation partners to network and discuss important topics in our field. Registration is only $40, with students attending for free. Don’t miss out on this historic celebration—reserve your spot today! https://conta.cc/4e7uZWK

10/05/2026

Calling all educators, we have WILD workshops for you!

Join the Pennsylvania Game Commission for two days of hands-on environmental education professional development. You can register for either workshop individually or attend both!

Location: Camp Lavigne, Benton, PA
Dates: October 20 & 21

Both workshops are FREE and open to formal and nonformal educators working with students of all ages.

Tuesday, October 20 from 1:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Flying WILD Educator Workshop
Explore fun, hands-on ways to bring bird conservation into your lessons. Discover engaging, standards-aligned activities focused on bird biology, migration, habitat, and conservation that you can take directly back to your students.

Wednesday, October 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Project Learning Tree: Explore Your Environment
Explore hands-on activities designed for students in grades K–8, with a focus on habitats and forests. The collection includes enrichment experiences, recommended reading, forest facts, posters, charts, and more.

Workshop details:
- Meals provided both days
- Earn Act 48 Hours
- Overnight lodging available upon request for those attending both days

Registration is REQUIRED for each workshop and space is limited. Register now: https://tinyurl.com/y94rxhfd

For all other questions, contact Jake Smith at [email protected].

09/30/2026

September is ending (already!) today, but we wanted to take a moment to look back on a special event that happened this month and congratulate the Class of 2026 Pennsylvania Forest Stewards who completed their intensive field training just a couple of weeks ago here in Centre County! They now have officially joined our peer volunteer network, and we are so grateful to each and every one of our new class members who committed to this training and also to promoting sustainable woodland management and forest health in their communities and across the commonwealth. Congrats to you all!!! 👏

09/25/2026