PA Forestry Association: Symposium Recap, PA Forestry News

Written by Matt Sampson, Pennsylvania Forestry Association President

Annual Symposium and Membership Meeting

We were excited to see many of you at the Pennsylvania Forestry Association's 139th Annual Symposium on November 1 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center by Wyndham in State College, PA. This year's event highlighted the PA Game Commission's forest management and wildlife habitat enhancement practices. PGC staffers Paul Weiss, Chief Forester, John Taucher, Private Lands Section Chief, Andy Weaver, Southeast Regional Forester, and Reina Tyl, Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Biologist presented on various ways the PGC is tailoring tools of forest management to a habitat-focused mission. PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Assistant Director Matt Keefer also provided a brief Bureau update.

This year's PFA award winners were:

• Joseph Trimble Rothrock Conservationist of the Year: Frank Snyder, Retired Service Forester, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry.
• Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Education: Stephanie Phillips-Taggart, Executive Director, Keystone Wood Products Association.
• Myra Lloyd Dock Outstanding Woman Conservationist: Cecile Stelter, District Forester, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry.

The 2025 Pennsylvania Tree Farmers of the Year award was also announced at the Symposium. Recognizing exemplary forestry stewardship, this year's award went to Byron and Jean Black, Chestnut Farm, Washington PA.

2025 Log-A-Load for Kids Benefit

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the 2025 Log-A-Load for Kids benefit shoot a great success! We had a beautiful day at Shenecoy Sportsman's on September 26 and are oh, so close to reaching our $8,500 goal! Mark your calendars for next year's "10 for 10" event on September 25, 2026, where our goal will be to raise $10,000 at our 10th annual benefit!

PA Big Trees Program

The PFA Big Trees Committee is collaborating with DCNR and various forestry and arborist associations to increase the celebration of Pennsylvania's biggest trees. We anticipate more exposure and community engagement in 2026. More details will be provided on the PFA website and in future Pennsylvania Forests magazines. 

PA Forest Heritage and Discovery Center

The PA Forest Heritage and Discovery Center closed out its 2025 season with several hundred visitors. Located in Caledonia State Park in Fayetteville, visitors learn about the rich heritage of forestry and forest protection in Pennsylvania. We look forward to the 2026 season and hope to see you there!

2026 Conservation Banquet

It's not too late to mark your calendars for the 41st Annual Conservation Banquet on March 7, 2026. There are only 350 tickets sold for this "draw down for $10,000" event. Purchase your tickets ASAP and watch the PFA website for ticket sales details.

Many thanks to the membership, the board, committee members, and Celesta Powell for all your support over the past two years. I appreciate each of you. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with all of you advancing our shared love and appreciation for Penn's Woods. Mark Ott assumes the president's role in November, and I am confident his leadership will serve the association wonderfully. Have a wonderful fall and winter and please take care. - Matt

For more information about PFA, visit their website or call 800-835-8065.