The writers, photographers and designers of a new book found the
beauty that lies within the Allegheny National Forest.

A new book, “Pennsylvania Wilds: Images from the Allegheny
National Forest,” is coming soon and could hit book stands as soon
as late January.

The 144-page, hardcover collectors edition, with story by Lisa
Gensheimer and photographs by award-winning photographer Ed Bernik,
will feature an introduction by Jonathan Tourtellot, geotourism
editor of National Geographic Traveler.

The book gives an illustrated history of the Allegheny National
Forest, including vintage images of the region’s lumber and oil
industry that have never been published before and plenty of
pictures from the forest.

It will also include some not-so-well-known legends,
archaeological discoveries and recreational opportunities in the
area.

Along with the book comes a forest companion CD with a map,
travel guide, screensaver, and more than 50 reasons why to
visit.

The book is being published by a new non-profit organization,
Forest Press. Forest Press is a division of the Seneca Highlands
Association Inc., also known as the Allegheny National Forest
Vacation Bureau.

“Pennsylvania Wilds: Images from the Allegheny Forest” will be
the first volume in a series by Forest Press to promote geotourism
in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The Pennsylvania Department of Tourism, Pennsylvania Department
of Community and Economic Development and a grant from the McKean
County Commissioners all helped to fund the book.

The book’s release culminates a combined effort from state and
local governments, the USDA Forest Service, the University of
Pittsburgh at Bradford, Penn Brad Oil Museum, Crook Farm, Kane
Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Bradford Business District Authority
and the Bradford Landmark Society.

The Forest Press and Stackpole Books will both be involved in
the national distribution of the book.

Stackpole Books, a Pennsylvania-based publishing house, is well
known for its distribution of nature, outdoor sports, history,
military travel and regional books. The company received an award
from Barnes and Noble in September 2005 for its dedication to
publishing books by Pennsylvanian authors about Pennsylvanian
topics.

To order “Pennsylvania Wilds: Images from the Allegheny National
Forest” in advance, with the free forest companion CD, call
1-800-473-9370.