PA DCNR Announces Statewide Conference for Private Forestland Owners

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will co-sponsor a two-day conference for landowners focused on conserving and managing privately owned woodlands.

The "2013 Private Forest Landowner Conference: the Future of Penn's Woods," will be held May 10-11 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona.

"Past regional and local private forestland conferences have targeted primarily private forest landowners, both industrial and non-industrial," DCNR Secretary Rick Allan said. "This event is expanded to include a wider range of landowners with outdoors interests and a commitment to sustaining healthy forests. We invite recreation-related businesses, timber interests, family forest owners, policy makers, and all others with an interest and stake in private forest land stewardship."

Hosted by the Center for Private Forests in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, along with DCNR, the event will focus conserving and managing healthy, regenerating forests with the intent of bringing together landowners who want to demonstrate commitment to forest sustainability.

"Whether a person owns five or 500 acres, they are among nearly 740,000 Pennsylvania woodland owners who can impact the health and well-being of nearly 12 million acres of private forests," Allan said.

Regionally and nationally recognized experts will give presentations on a variety of topics including conservation options, invasive species, taxes, water quality, woodland care, wildlife, and backyard woodlots. Exhibitors will offer informational and resource displays, and demonstrators will showcase tools and services.

On May 10, optional tours addressing wind energy and forests, invasive species control, vernal ponds, and early successional wildlife habitat will be offered before the conference officially starts at 1 p.m. The program continues from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on May 11.

Registration is now open and costs $75. Registration details and other information can be found at http://ecosystems.psu.edu/private-forest-conference.

Media Contact: Terry Brady , 717-772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

RELATED LINKS
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us