Pennsylvania Forestry Association: A Look Back and a Look Ahead

By Randy White, Pennsylvania Forestry Association President

PFA has had a great year and is looking forward to 2023 The winter issue of PFA’s quarterly magazine, Pennsylvania Forests, focuses on the 5th Biennial Forest Landowners Conference taking place March 24-25 in State College, PA. Like many things, the 2021 conference was canceled due to COVID, and we welcome its return this year. This conference will provide you with the tools you need to improve the health and vitality of your forest. PFA is a proud sponsor of this excellent conference, and we hope to see our PFA members—and our Forest Leaves readers—there.

PFA President’s 2022 summary of PFA’s activities over the past year and some things that will be coming in 2023

2022 Recap:
January: PFA Farm Show Exhibit. The 2022 event was well attended; we are always looking for volunteers to staff our booth.
March: The 2022 Conservation Banquet, our only fundraiser, was held at the Ramada Inn in State College, PA.
April: Tree Planting Ramble at Sproul State Forest. \
August: Ag Progress Days Exhibit. Every year we greet and talk to several hundred people during this three-day event that draws thousands to Penn State’s Ag Progress Days grounds in Rock Springs, PA.
September: The Forest Heritage and Discovery Center at Caledonia State Park wrapped up its 2022 season on Labor Day; nearly 1600 visitors came through in 2022. If you are in the Chambersburg area this summer, plan a visit; the center is open weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day (check hours online). October: PFA took the over the leadership role for the 2022 Walk in Penn’s Woods event and, with our partners, hosted walks across the state during the remnants of hurricane Ian. Also, the Log a Load Clay Shoot held at Shenecoy Sportsman’s Club in Huntingdon raised $7,500 for children’s hospitals in PA.
November: The 2022 Annual Symposium on “Forest Carbon: Growing Green” featured some great presentations and was well attended at Toftrees Resort in State College.

Upcoming 2023 Spring Events:
March: This year’s Conservation Banquet will be held Saturday, March 4 at the Ramada Inn in State College, PA. Also, PFA is a major sponsor of the Forest Landowners Conference March 24-25 in State College, PA.
April: On April 23 we will conduct the 31st Tree Planting Ramble at Sproul State Forest.

If you are looking to become more involved with PFA, consider becoming a member of one of the following committees: Education and Communications – Outreach – Forest Heritage – Tree Farm – Conservation Banquet – Membership – Symposium Committee.

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