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Forest Focus
The Bureau of Forestry Newsletter
Fall 2024
Dirt road through forest in autum

Autumn is a Season of Gratitude

Welcome to the DCNR Bureau of Forestry’s fall 2024 edition of Forest Focus! If you haven't already, be sure to sign up to continue receiving Forest Focus.
State Forester, Seth Cassell

From the Pinchot Desk

Seth Cassell, State Forester
There is no better time to be in Penn's Woods than the fall. Like many of you I'm looking forward to enjoying the best our forests have to offer by participating in Walk in Penn's Woods. To find a Walk in Penn's Woods event near you, visit the DCNR Calendar of Events. It's a great way to enjoy our woods and enjoy fellowship with other people who appreciate and want to learn more about our forests.
Our Bureau of Forestry team has had a busy summer managing forests, trees and native wild plants and ensuring recreation and public safety on state forest lands. Our team has also been busy serving our nation in wildfire assistance in the Western U.S. Our employees also stepped up to serve communities right here in Pennsylvania in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debbie. Read about our Bureau of Forestry heroes right here in this newsletter. Have a great fall, and enjoy your time in Penn's Woods!
Wildland fire fighters look over burning land while smoke shades out the sun

PA Bureau of Forestry Wildland Firefighters Answer the Call

While the Bureau is indeed tasked with protecting life, property, and natural resources in the Commonwealth from wildfire, when called upon we also can assist throughout the nation providing the same efforts.
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Graphic of Pennsylvania showing the progression of fall foliage around the state

Fall Foliage Season is Coming

Fall foliage season is truly a magical time in Penn's Woods. We are blessed with millions of acres of publicly accessible forests, and endless opportunities to view the fall spectacle.

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Men sit around a campfire in chairs with a small stonewalled cottage in the background

Expanding Boundaries in Our Forests - Getting Veterans Outside

Susquehannock State Forest recently partnered with Back Country Hunters and Anglers (BHA) for a conservation program geared towards the military community. 
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White-tailed deer standing in the forest

The Research Report: Scientific Studies Inform Best Practices


Scientific research helps the Bureau of Forestry answer questions and guide stewardship of the Commonwealth's trees, forests, and native wild plants.  
This Research Report looks at the methods developed to study the complex relationship between Pennsylvania's forests and the deer that inhabit them.
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Damage under ash tree bark

Help Us Save Ash Trees: It's a Snap!


Invasive diseases and pests threaten forest ecosystems and biodiversity at an unprecedented scale.
Tree breeding programs aim to harness natural resistance mechanisms and "lingering ash" trees are now the focus of research to understand their extended survival and the heritability of their resistance to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
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Scott Bowser selfie sitting in grader wearing a safety hat and ear protection

Forces of Nature

Employee Spotlight

Feature
Meet Scott Bowser, Forest Maintenance Supervisor at Susquehannock State Forest District!
This Employee Spotlight provides space to recognize our conservation colleagues and the ongoing hard work that happens within the Bureau of Forestry everyday.
Dedication and committment to achieving our mission make us all forces of nature!
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Forest Friday logo of green tree with yellow sun background; elk and fox

The Best of Forest Fridays!


Each Friday, the Bureau of Forestry provides a unique and informative article on a forest related topic.
You will find the best Forest Fridays from the previous quarter, highlighted here.
If you would like to receive the weekly Forest Fridays email, please send us an email.
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