Government & Academia

Since its founding in 1886, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association has maintained close ties with leaders in natural resource agencies and academic institutions.

Begun when Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock was elected as PFA’s first president and then became Pennsylvania’s first Commissioner of Forestry in 1895, these valuable ties persist today as PFA and its partners celebrate the value of our forests, facilitate technical assistance, and provide information based on the latest scientific research.

PFA works closely with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Bureau of Forestry, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Penn State’s Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. Service foresters and other DCNR representatives, in cooperation with Penn State Extension, provide technical forestry assistance to woodland owner associations, local organizations, and local government officials. PFA also helps to acquire new landowner cooperative agreements for the PGC Hunter Access Program. The Hunter Access Program improves wildlife habitat on private lands and increases the number of acres of private land open to hunting and trapping. Enrolled private landowners are eligible for habitat enhancements and conservation incentives.

For more information on the PGC Hunter Access Program click this link

Other primary natural resource agencies besides the PA Game Commission include the PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the US Forest Service. The Forest Service manages the Allegheny National Forest and also operates the Kane Experimental Forest. These agencies, along with DCNR, provide critical information as well as access to more than four million acres of publicly-owned forests.

While PFA has close working relationships with a number of key agencies and academic institutions, we continue to look for opportunities to expand our programs and establish new partnerships to promote forest stewardship in Pennsylvania.

Penn State Agricultural Council

The Penn State Agricultural Council is the primary forum for interaction between Penn State and its industry clientele. It allows members to stay informed and provide feedback on the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management programs, activities, and opportunities. All questions can be addressed to the Council’s PFA representative:

Marc Lewis Lewis Lumber Company Hillsgrove, PA 18619 (570) 924-3507 lewism@epix.net

Helpful Resources