Other winners include:

Congratulations to Nick Pergosky of Telford, PA on winning the chainsaw!

PFA has been participating in the Earth Day 50 PA Partnership Group for the past three months. The Earth   Day 50 PA Partnership Group has been planning a host of Earth Day/Week/Month of activities. PFA helped to organize an April 20 Earth Day Celebration “Penn’s Woods: Cradle of Conservation” documentary viewing followed by an interactive audience/speaker’s panel discussion at the PSU Mont Alto Campus. 

PFA was also invited to participate in the April 22 Earth Day Celebration Educational Event for students at Governor Wolf’s residence in Harrisburg. Immediate past PFA President Richard Lewis, PFA Executive Director Caleb Wright and I are planning to attend this Governor’s Residence Event and hand out Earth Day Wildflower Packets and “Every Day is Earth day” silicone bracelets to the 200+ students and adults attending the event.

With thanks to PFA Communications Committee Co-Chairs Nancy Baker and Linda Finley we have a special “Earth Day 50” Spring Edition of Pennsylvania Forests coming out on April 1 ^st .

This issue features the following articles:

We are offering PFA Members and Allied Organizations 25 free copies of this issue and additional copies at $1.00 each  (but we ask that recipients to be responsible for lowest cost ground postage expense unless the issues are picked up at the PFA Office, Suite 1002, 300 N 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Please let Richard Lewis  [email protected]  know how many copies you would like (multiples of 5 only please) by Friday, March 20th. We will notice you of availability or ship to you as soon as available and invoice you later.

As you read this you know that the Coronavirus epidemic has thrown a “monkey wrench” into these Earth Day plans as well as the everyday activities of 330 million Americans. We will keep PFA Members informed about the likely cancellation of our Earth Day Events via our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PAforestry/

I hope you'll be able to view this change in direction of our everyday lives as an  opportunity  - and use the now likely free time to enjoy some much needed R&R of your own, reading that book you've been putting off, getting the garden ready, hiking in a your forest or a local State Park or Forest, taking a child fishing, or just enjoying a nice scenic drive in the rural areas of our beautiful Keystone state.

Please, everyone take care to follow the recommended Coronavirus health guidelines . Hopefully your area will not see any cases and we will all come out of this stronger and better prepared for future problems. I understand the impact this may have on our members, both physically, emotionally, and financially. As we all seek to find the right answers to the many questions out there, I hope we all make it through this crisis unharmed in every way.

Mark Ott

PFA President

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association’s Forest Heritage Discovery Center located in the Caledonia State Park near Fayetteville, Pennsylvania is seeking interns to help staff the Discovery Center on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 12:00 to 5:00 pm from Memorial Day weekend (May 23rd) to Labor Day (September 7th). We are seeking motivated and responsible applicants with an interest in forestry, conservation, forest protection, wildlife, outdoor recreation, or the environment. Applicants 18 years of age or older with good verbal communications skills are preferred. The payment for this position is $15.00/hour.

 

The successful intern will:

 

 

 

Please email a one-page application letter and brief resume by April 17, 2020 to:

Peter Linehan

[email protected]

PFA Forest Heritage Committee Co-Chair

 

For more information, contact Peter Linehan via email or call 717-440-4348.

Highlights from the American Forest Foundation Leadership Conference

 

Baltimore, MD | February 25-27, 2020

 

This article highlights several major ideas presented during the conference. The most significant issue for Pennsylvania is the upcoming assessment of the Pennsylvania Tree Farm Committee that will begin in 2020 and continue through 2022. The assessment is conducted by the American Tree Farm System to determine Pennsylvania’s compliance with the national tree farm certification standards. ATFS looks internally at the operations of the Tree Farm Committee and externally to determine tree farm conformance to national tree farm standards. Activities in 2020 focus on preparation for the field visit that will occur in 2021. Results of the assessment can fall into one of the four outcome categories:

If areas for improvement are identified, the Committee works during 2022 to correct problem areas. During the “Assessment Prep” session, Leigh Peters (Certification Manager for the ATFS) stressed that the assessment is a collaborative process in which ATFS works with the Pennsylvania TFC to assure a productive experience.

 

The theme of diversity and inclusion was introduced during the opening plenary session and recurred in sessions throughout the conference. The underlying message seemed to be the importance of welcoming all types of forest landowners into the American Tree Farm System. Participants were encouraged to think beyond traditional forest owner stereotypes and recognize the tremendous variations in landowner values and circumstances.

Another theme focused on the importance of recognizing and dealing with barriers to the implementation of best forest management practices. While awareness raising and education are important, the American Forest Foundation is working to connect forest owners more efficiently and effectively with the resources needed to implement management plans. Among these efforts is a program called Woodscamp that follows forest owners on a journey from initial contact through planning, implementation, and continued involvement in the Tree Farm System. The Woodscamp program is underway in several states and is about to be launched in two area of Pennsylvania. This is an important initiative that deserves PFA and PTFC attention.

The American Forest Foundation continues to develop sources of revenue for forest landowners. Carbon trading pilot projects are currently underway in several US regions, including Pennsylvania. At this time, it seems that AFF is trying to evaluate whether the option of carbon trading is an incentive for forest owners to become certified and to remain in the ATFS. Forest owner concerns about the time commitment of carbon trading agreements continue to complicate this initiative.

During the closing session, AFF President Tom Martin shared a new financial strategy to support forest associations and landowners. He pointed out that many forest product corporations have two arms—a for-profit business enterprise and a non-profit, philanthropic foundation. Traditionally, forest associations have approached corporations for requests from their foundations. The emerging strategy is to identify the ways in which private forests contribute to the corporation’s business enterprise, place an economic value on those contributions, and negotiate payment for the value that forests contribute to the corporation’s ability to conduct its business.

A number of sessions highlighted initiatives underway in various regions and states. One session focused on efforts in Florida, Michigan, and Maryland to define and identify Forests of Recognized Importance (FORI). The Maryland Tree Farm Program has designated watersheds that flow into the Chesapeake Bay as FORIs. When a property lies within a FORI, certification inspectors are supposed to include that information in forest management plans.

Another session focused on legacy planning with special attention to “heirs land.” When landowners die without a will, the property is divided among their heirs, resulting in fragmentation of ownership and lack of coherent planning to protect the health and sustainability of the forest. Projects are underway in several states to help owners of “heirs land” to consolidate their ownership interests in a Limited Liability Corporation or family land trust. In working with forest owners, AFF stresses the importance of using an estate planning attorney who understands their special circumstances, concerns and needs.

AFF continues to raise public awareness of the economic impact and value of privately owned forests. Examples include:

Of particular concern for wildlife is the need for forests in all stages of succession. Currently, there are shortages in early and late succession forests.

Submitted by Maria Piantanida, Member, PA Tree Farm Committee

Postscript: On a personal note, I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to attend the Conference. As a newcomer to PFA and PTFA, the conference was a productive learning experience, helping me to gain a broader perspective of the American Forest Foundation and the American Tree Farm System. If other members of PFA have an opportunity to attend a conference in the future, I strongly encourage them to do so.

As reported by the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association:

China’s Ministry of Finance announced today that China's tax authority will begin accepting applications from Chinese domestic firms for the exemption of additional tariffs imposed on some U.S. products, including U.S. hardwoods starting March 2, 2020.  Applications for the one-year waivers must be submitted by Chinese firms; U.S. companies are not eligible to submit requests directly to the reviewing body. The Ministry indicates that applications will be reviewed within 3 business days. Chinese buyers will have to get waiver approvals before their cargo can clear customs.

You may read the English translation of the announcement here: Waiver Announcement Translation.

It is important that U.S. hardwood exporters communicate with their Chinese customers in order to encourage as many Chinese entities as possible to push for tariff exclusions on U.S. hardwood. A previous USDA report contains step by step instructions on how your customers can apply, who is eligible, and what information is required as well as links to the Chinese State Council Customs Tariff Commission who will be reviewing the applications. 

As stated in the original Chinese document, applicants need to show the tariffs on U.S. goods impact their business in one or more of the following ways: 

1) The Chinese importer faces challenges seeking alternative sources of supply;

2) The tariffs cause serious economic damage to the applicant;

3) The tariffs cause major negative structural impacts on the relevant industries or lead to serious social consequences.



PFPA would like to recognize and thank the Hardwood Federation for sharing this information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 3, 2020

Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that twelve counties have been added to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone ahead of the 2020 spring hatch. With this addition, the quarantine for this invasive pest is now at 26 counties.

“The Spotted Lanternfly is more than a pest in the literal sense,” said Agriculture Secretary Redding. “It’s wreaking havoc for home and business owners; kids who just want to play outside; Pennsylvania agriculture and the economy of the state we all call home. Whether you think it’s your job or not, we need every Pennsylvanian to keep their eyes peeled for signs of this bad bug – to scrape every egg mass, squash every bug, and report every sighting. We need to unite over our hatred for this pest for our common love: Pennsylvania.”

The new dozen counties are not completely infested, but rather have a few municipalities with a known infestation which led to a quarantine being placed on the entire county out of an abundance of caution. Allegheny, Beaver, Blair, Columbia, Cumberland, Huntingdon, Juniata, Luzerne, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, and York have been added to the quarantine for 2020.

“Most of these municipalities have already been aggressively treated,” said Dr. Ruth Welliver, director of the Bureau of Plant Industry. “With continued aggressive treatment and monitoring, and an actively engaged community, we can strike Spotted Lanternfly from these counties.”

Quick, aggressive treatment to newly identified populations of Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania was funded through the Rapid Response Disaster Readiness line of Governor Wolf’s 2019 PA Farm Bill. The 2020 PA Farm Bill proposes another $3 million to combat Spotted Lanternfly, plus an extra $1 million that is uncommitted to readily act in the event of the next agricultural disaster.

Businesses that operate in or travel through quarantined counties are required to obtain a Spotted Lanternfly permit ; fines associated with noncompliance can be up to $300 for a criminal citation or up to $20,000 for a civil penalty. Homeowners with questions about treatment are encouraged to contact their local Penn State Extension office or learn about management, including approved sprays, online . Pennsylvanians who live inside the quarantine zone should also review and sign the Compliance Checklist for residents .

For more information on Spotted Lanternfly, visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly . For more about Governor Tom Wolf’s PA Farm Bill and its investments in a sustainable agriculture industry visit agriculture.pa.gov/pafarmbill .

MEDIA CONTACT: Shannon Powers, 717-783-2628

Michael D. Freitag, 72, of Ephrata, PA and formerly of Nassau County, NY, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at Lancaster General Hospital. He was the loving husband of Lois M. (Kump) and son of the late Wilbur and Theresa (Rothermel) Freitag.

Michael was born in Jamaica, Queens, NY and was a longtime resident of Nassau County, NY. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and worked for Verizon as a Cable Splicer for 32 years. Michael and Lois have been residents of Ephrata since 2004.

Michael liked to work with his hands and fix anything that needed to be repaired. He was a self-taught woodworker and loved doing scroll saw and lathe work in his home woodshop. He also enjoyed music and playing the guitar.

In addition to his wife, Lois, he is survived by a son, Karl M. Freitag, husband of Jessica, a brother, Roy Freitag, and a sister, Dottie Rollie, wife of Charles.

In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Jack.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12.

Mike was a proud supporter of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association and the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art. He commonly donated beautiful wood bowls and fine scroll work. He will be sorely missed by many in the forestry community.

By Tom Martin, Opinion Contributor

In recent days we’ve seen President Trump and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle recognize the value of trees and forests in tackling our environmental and economic challenges of today. Committing to the global Trillion Trees Initiative is a great example of this.

While it’s energizing to see these leaders have the right sentiment, it is crucial in the coming months, that they get it right when it comes to the policy and implementation.

We can’t just focus on planting trees if we want to unleash the potential of forests as we’ve heard in the media. We must take a multi-faceted approach—plant more trees and improve the management of existing forests that have been neglected, keep forests from being converted, and use more forest products, encouraging the investment cycle in more trees.

There is absolutely a need to plant more trees in the U.S. and around the globe. Across our country, there is an abundance of marginal and environmentally sensitive open farmland where planting new trees would be appropriate. There are also previously forested areas that have not been properly replanted after wildfires or hurricanes that would benefit greatly from a reforestation investment.

But we can’t stop there. Our existing trees and forests provide us with vital resources that support us today: clean water, wildlife habitat, carbon capture and storage, products Americans use every day, as well as good-paying rural jobs. These forests must be considered.

Caring for our existing trees is a proven scientific tactic to tackling climate change. Research led by The Nature Conservancy shows natural climate solutions represents one of the most significant solutions available to capture hundreds of millions of additional tons of carbon out of our atmosphere. In fact, natural climate solutions could support 37 percent of the needed mitigation globally through 2030 if implemented today. More specifically, the actions that would sequester the most carbon by far are reforestation (planting trees) and improved forest management of our existing forests.

As the president and Congress look to implement the Trillion Trees Initiative and other programs and legislation, they should consider how they can expand their efforts to include the full range of tactics and tap into the tap into the diversity of U.S. forests—rural and urban, public and privately held.

One key opportunity that must be at the forefront are the family-owned forests of the U.S. Rural families and individuals owner the largest portion, 38 percent of our existing forests. Research from the American Forest Foundation found that 1 in 4 rural Americans owns forestland. Collectively, they own more forestland than the federal government. These hard-working individuals care about their land, and want to do the right thing, but often hit roadblocks – such as technical expertise, cost or access to markets – that keep them from affording the ability to plant and manage their trees for wood products, carbon and a range of other benefits.

Engaging this group of dedicated rural Americans to help with improved forest management and reforestation is a commonsense approach for addressing pressing environmental challenges, including climate change. What’s more, tapping these lands will support millions of jobs in these rural communities too.

Already there are a host of conservation programs and tools available to help family forest owners, which can be enhanced. Second, continuing to create and sustain robust markets for forest products such as wood, carbon and others continues to create value in forests, and income for rural America. Last, policymakers can also create new innovative financing tools that enable public – private partnerships like the Family Forest Carbon Program , which helps small landowners access voluntary markets, such as carbon markets.

The opportunity to capitalize on trees and forests to help address today’s environmental and economic issues, including climate change, can’t be understated. And engaging rural family owners is a bipartisan solution that will help meet this challenge.

Tom Martin is president and CEO of the American Forest Foundation .  

03-10-2020 Gettysburg Battlefield to set part of Little Round Top on fire

The National Park Service will be setting parts of the Gettysburg National Military Park ablaze in a prescribed fire as early as late March or as late as April 30. The exact date of the fire will be dependent on weather. The areas slated to be burned include 52 acres along the west slope of... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

03-03-2020 PGC Delivers Annual Report to Legislature

  (Press Release)

03-01-2020 Trout stocking season is here again

The numbers vary from state to state. The high levels of enthusiasm they generate among at least some anglers do not. Spring is fast approaching, and that means it.s trout stocking season. State fisheries agencies all around the country are trucking trout to... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review