News

With Sundays November 13, 20, and 27, 2022 open to hunting, we ask: beyond awareness of the upcoming hunting season, why should forest stewardship include caring about deer and the woods?

Early spring enthusiasm for ramps — also known as wild leeks — may be causing lower plant yields and threatening communities of the forest herb, according to Penn State researchers.

Penn State Extension’s popular The Woods in Your Backyard webinar series will meet 7-8:30 PM weekly via Zoom on Wednesdays starting January 11, 2023.

Dr. Allyson Muth, faculty, Michael Powell, staff, and Linda Finley, volunteer, in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management were honored for their contributions to the conservation of Pennsylvania’s natural resources at the Pennsylvania Forestry Association’s (PFA) Annual Symposium on November 5.

Late April into early May is a great time to plant trees and shrubs for many reasons. Check out this article for resources and thoughts on planning a spring tree planting.

The Federal Government has allocated additional funding for conservation practices on farms and forests including cover cropping, conservation tillage, prescribed grazing, nutrient management, tree planting and more. Farm and forest owners interested in applying for cost-share funding should contact their local NRCS office and apply for funding by March 20th, 2023 to be considered in the first round of funding. The full press release can be read at the external website linked above.

The three year Allegheny Plateau Habitat Restoration project will providing funding to establish habitat suitable to ruffed grouse and cerulean warblers. The partnership will work to establish this habitat on public and private ground in these PA counties: Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Venango, and Warren counties. The full press release can be read on the website linked above.

The annual spring Briefing reports on the status of Pennsylvania’s forest insect and disease issues as well as other important forest health updates and information and provides a core pesticide credit training session. Join us to review the status of Pennsylvania's forest insect and disease problems and important forest health updates and information. Briefing held on Mar. 14, 2023 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM ET More information and registration details can be found on the website linked above.

Earn SAF, ISA, SFI Continuing Education Units, and pesticide credits as we review the status of Pennsylvania's forest insect and disease problems and important forest health updates and information. Webinar held on Mar. 16, 2023 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM ET More information and registration details can be found on the website linked above.

The James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State briefed Forestry Professionals on highlights of latest Private Forest Landowner Survey at the Western Pennsylvania Industrial and Consulting Forester Conference in September.

Updates from the James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State.

Latest News from the Penn State Extension Forestry and Wildlife Team

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association's (PFA) Annual Symposium and membership meeting was held in State College, PA on November 16.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative's trainings for loggers makes an impact on how woods are safely harvested.

Rotting wood, if found at the right time, can sometimes produce magnificent pieces of art.

This time of year, it is natural to reflect on accomplishments.

The quiet of winter is a good time for making plans. Add an annual life list to your plans.

What triggers plant growth, and what are the dangers of budding too early?

Meet Grace Lewis, a graduate student at Penn State who joined the James C. Finley Center for Private Forests team in 2025.

Navigating through your forest safely after severe weather.

Based on numerous calls from people wondering what's going on with American beech, we compiled these resources for your information.

Penn State Extension’s team of Forestry and Wildlife experts publishes an e-newsletter, Woods and Wildlife News and Notes, containing the most recent information, events, demonstrations, partnerships, and activities coming from the team.

As we enter the warm months, we at the Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA) would like to share a recap of our annual banquet and some news impacting Penn’s Woods.

Greetings, forest landowners and readers of Forest Leaves! Mike Powell is the new Pennsylvania committee chair of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), managed by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association (PFA).

Timber harvesting can pose risks to water resources if not carried out responsibly. To mitigate these impacts, Pennsylvania requires that Best Management Practices (BMPs) be used during earth disturbance activities, such as logging.

Ethan Tapper was a keynote speaker at our 2025 Forest Landowners Conference. You can read more in his book, How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World.

Laura and Mike Jackson are naturalists, retired biology teachers, landowners, and PA Forest Stewards volunteers. Here they share their experiences with creating and maintaining wildflower meadows.

While many think of spring as the time to catch the diverse birdlife inhabiting Penn's Woods, the late summer months also offer numerous opportunities to catch birds, and their young, taking advantage of all the forests provide them.

Winter is a wonderful time to explore Pennsylvania's woodlands. Here are some tips to stay safe as you trek through the winter wonderland.

Explore the amazing, mostly unseen work of fungi in the forest.

PA Tree Farm inspectors completed over 30 inspections in 2025; PA's 2024 Tree Farmers of the Year, George and Brenda Kirik, were named the 2025 Northeast Regional Tree Farmers of the Year.

Learn more about SFI certification of wood and paper products.

Check out the latest news for the Pennsylvania Forestry Association.

The decisions you make about your land will have financial and personal impacts long beyond your passing. This article will help you start the process of planning for the future of your land.

One forest landowner's legacy story of how he and his wife are protecting their land through a conservation easement.

Below is a collection of resources to help forest landowners plan for the future of their land.

We're excited to announce that 2025 saw the establishment of a new woodland owners association, the Southern Appalachian Woodland Network in Pennsylvania, or SAWN-PA.

Penn State Extension Forestry and Wildlife Team's latest articles and videos for our Autumn 2025-Winter 2026 Forest Leaves readers.

This year was a statewide Forest Landowners Conference year, a year of continuing to build the legacy of the Pennsylvania Forest Stewards volunteer program, and a year of engaging research, strong partnerships, and organizations and individuals supporting the work of the Center.