Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee

06/22/2026

"Schultz put national forests at just 5 per cent of the raw material the US consumes for wood products, and named markets, not supply, as the binding constraint. A lack of markets, rather than wildfires or natural disasters, is the primary threat he hears from forest owners across the country."

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz says the real brake on US wood supply isn't timber, it's markets — and a national plan to rebuild demand is due within months.

06/13/2026

Decades ago, I heard a friend and logger – someone I have known for most of my time in the forest products industry – say this short prayer before leaving his truck to check on a crew in the woods.

06/12/2026

As the United States reflects on its 250 years of history, it is worth remembering the many significant ways our forests help shape that history.

  America 250 · The Untold Story of Independence Before the Tea, There Was Timber. The King’s Broad Arrow on the Eastern White Pine ignited the American Revolution — long before anyone dumped a chest of tea in Boston Harbor. Read the story Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary — 1776–2...

06/12/2026

👏We would like to take a moment to recognize the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Hardwoods Development Council (HDC) led by its executive director, Jonathan Geyer.

During the Pennsylvania FFA statewide convention, the HDC was presented with a FFA Citation Award. This prestigious honor recognizes the groups who make a lasting impact on agricultural education and FFA across Pennsylvania.

PA FFA said, “Their commitment, service, and leadership help move our association forward, and we are honored to celebrate the individuals and organizations who continue to champion the future of agriculture.”

Throughout the year and for the conference, the HDC brings together volunteers, sponsors, and programs that support forest and wood product education.

As the nation’s leading hardwood producer, Pennsylvania—and its working forests—make a meaningful impact on the Commonwealth and beyond. Through the HDC’s efforts, the students learn about the environmental and health benefits of forests and wood products while exploring career opportunities within the innovative industry that employs 60,000 Pennsylvanians.

🏆 Congratulations to the HDC, Jon and all of the recipients of the 2026 Citation Awards. And thanks to FFA and its sponsors. Together, you are growing the future!

HDC partner sponsors include:
Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group
Keystone Wood Products Association
Northern Tier Hardwood Association
Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee
Pennsylvania Forest Products Association
Pennsylvania Forestry Association - PFA
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc.

06/10/2026

The Pennsylvania FFA State Convention is underway this week at Penn State University with thousands of FFA students from across the state in attendance. We have had a great time the last two days helping with the forestry Career Development Event (CDE). These are competitive FFA events that test students’ technical, leadership, and teamwork skills in Ag specializations. Yesterday we were on campus and today we dodged the raindrops in the Stone Valley Experimental Forest.

The Pennsylvania Implementation Committee was proud to sponsor this event alongside our partners at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Hardwoods Development Council, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, Keystone Wood Products Association, Northern Tier Hardwood Association, Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and the Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc.

06/10/2026

06/08/2026

05/29/2026

The Pennsylvania Implementation Committee was proud to support and participate in this Pennsylvania 4-H event!
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Recently, Penn State Extension gave youth from across Pennsylvania an opportunity to explore their interest in wildlife and forestry at the...

05/15/2026

"The good news? With thoughtful and active management such as thinning, vegetation control, and well-planned harvests, you can correct these conditions and set your forest up for healthy, long-term growth."

In Northeastern hardwood forests, successful regeneration depends on the right conditions on the forest floor: enough sunlight, limited competition, and…