While living in an area of the state that is well forested, it’s easy to overlook the obvious. Surveys indicate that there are 17 million acres of forested lands within the state.
Lands managed by the Allegheny National Forest, Department of Natural Resources, and the PA Game Commission total close to 2.25 million acres.
However unlike other regions of the country where the federal government controls large swaths of forestland, more than 70 percent of Pennsylvania woodlands ae owned by individuals and family landowners.
Pennsylvania has an estimated 738,000 private forest owners who together make stewardship decisions on about 11.5 million acres, or about 71 percent of all the state’s forestland. Many of these current owners have less than 10 acres. Relatively few, about 25,000 woodlots, are 100 acres or larger. Nonetheless, together these owners make decisions on about one out of every eight acres of our state’s private forests.
The ANF and state agencies have professional staff developing and initiating a wide variety of plans. But what resources are available to the small landowner? More than what you realize.
A starting point for information can be accessed just by sitting down to your computer. Search for Pennsylvania Woodland Owners Association – Center for Private Landowners. The site provides a map of PA with counties highlighted in an assortment of colors.
Although each group is independent, and missions and membership policies differ, most use field demonstrations, tours, seminars, and newsletters to provide information about forests and sound forest management to their members and people in their local communities.
This map shows the predominant area served by each group. However, most groups welcome woodland owners from surrounding areas.
Also there is a list of names and contact information on a county by county basis. For additional information, call 1-800-235-9473. In the case of the North Central Forest Landowners Assoc., click on McKean, Potter, Elk, or Cameron.
Recently the NCFLA hosted a forest tour highlighting the old lumbering town of Norwich which was once located south of Smethport and was situated close to the McKean Potter County line.
Those in attendance traveled behind the gates of state game lands #30 with Abigail Kane, a PGC forester and PGC Land Manager Len Grosheck. Throughout the day detailed explanations were provided as to the why and how of a number of habitat treatments were being conducted on game lands #30.
The group was provided with a side trip to a vintage deer exclosure. Retired Game Lands Land Manager John Dzemyan provided the details.
The fencing was erected in the mid 1950s under the watchful eye of PGC wildlife biologist Rodger Latham. Early on the exclosure provided an area void of deer. Today the woven wire fencing remains and studies continue.
Over the course of the years to come the NCFLA will sponsor additional tours and demonstrations, along with practical in-the-field programs.
Want to learn more? Please contact NCFLA President Walt Petrick at 814-544-8883 or e-mail waltpetrick@hotmail.com
The NCFLA is dedicated to providing information to private landowners enabling them to better manage the land using proven forest and wildlife management practices.

Advisory Council Seeking Candidates for PF&BC Position
The Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation is seeking qualified candidates to fill an upcoming vacancy on the board of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The First District includes Warren, Venango, Forest, Clarion, Crawford, Butler, Erie, Lawrence, and Mercer counties.
The district has been represented with distinction by Edward Mascharka III, Erie County, since June 21, 2010.
“The governor is reaching out to the anglers and boaters of northwest Pennsylvania to find a diverse group of qualified applicants, one of which will fill this vacancy,” said Robb Miller, director of the advisory council.
“We’re encouraging anyone interested in volunteering for the board to send us a letter that describes their qualifications and experience, along with a copy of their professional resume.”
Per the Fish and Boat Code, to qualify as a commissioner, the applicant must be a resident of the district and be well informed about conservation, restoration, fishing, and boating. The term of service is four years, and members may serve three consecutive terms upon being nominated by the governor and confirmed by a majority of the members of the Pennsylvania Senate.
Commissioners are not compensated, however they do receive travel reimbursement.
Those interested in applying for the position should send their materials to Robb Miller, 400 Market Street, 7th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301. Applications via email can be sent to: Robb Miller at robmille@pa.gov.
Resumes and cover letters must be received by Friday, July 20, 2018.
Charlie Burchfield is an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, an active member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Assoc. of America and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net