Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee

03/28/2026

As Pennsylvania moves into another spring wildfire season, it is important that our logging workforce ensures their operations do not contribute to the threat of fire outbreak. Please pay attention to DCNR's Wildfire Danger Maps (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/programs-and-services/community-outreach-and-development/wildfire) and review our SFI publication "Wildfire Prevention, Preparedness & Response; A Guide for Pennsylvania Loggers" available under the publications section of our website
https://sfiofpa.org/?sdm_process_download=1&download_id=9869

03/27/2026

🌱 Regeneration in Action: The Next Generation of Oaks 🌱

This photo highlights Red Oak and Chestnut Oak regeneration—a key part of sustainable forestry at Stoltzfus Forest Products.

After a harvest, the work doesn’t stop. New growth like this ensures that our forests continue to thrive, providing strong, high-quality timber for years to come. Oaks are especially important, not only for their value as lumber but also for the wildlife and ecosystems they support.

By allowing natural regeneration and managing our forests responsibly, we’re helping these young trees grow into the next generation of healthy, productive timber stands.


🌳 Today’s seedlings are tomorrow’s hardwood forests.

03/27/2026

“Clearcutting” has a sordid history stemming from the era of "cut and run" logging in the United States (c. 1880s–1940s) and the term often raises concerns with folks when they hear it used today. However, our modern science-based understandings of forests and forestry have evolved this practice into a viable tool that is sometimes appropriate and necessary for sustainably managing our forests.

In forest management, clear-cutting is one of the most debated practices. Observers of the practice often associate it with environmental damage and deforestation, which is the permanent removal of forest cover for an alternative purpose, like agriculture or urbanization.

03/27/2026

Save The Date!! March 31st @ The Johnsonburg Fire Hall.

03/27/2026

But what does forest protection look like today? That mythic space between “cutting down trees is bad” and “isn’t it kind of inevitable?” lives the agricultural nuance and regenerative ethos of working forests. Having an understanding of what a working forest is means taking a beat, reassessing our personal perspective, and thinking about the bigger picture of forestry management over time.

Forest management as stewardship rather than exploitation is uniquely essential.

03/17/2026

The Pennsylvania Implementation Committee was proud to sponsor the 23rd Central Hardwood Forest Conference hosted by Penn State Extension in State College on March 3-6. The event brought together ~115 forestry professionals, researchers, students and forest owners from 16 states and Ontario. The conference boasted 36 presentations, 25 posters, 2 panel discussions and a day-long post-conference tour of old growth at Alan Seeger Natural Area and conservation effort occurring at "Joel's Woods" near Spring Mills.

03/07/2026

Pennsylvania Implementation Committee Winter 2026 newsletter and spring logger training schedule.

02/25/2026

Check out our highlight in the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association's 2026 Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide

PENNSYLVANIA SFI® HIGHLIGHTS PENNSYLVANIA SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE It’s critical that we work together to ensure the sustainability of ournatural resources. Today, people and organizations...

02/20/2026

⚠️PENNSYLVANIA LOGGER TRAINING PARTICIPANTS ⚠️

Our Professional Timber Harvester Training Program (one of the three core trainings required to become an SFI Qualified Logging Professional in Pennsylvania) can now be completed ONLINE! This new option offers a more convenient and flexible way for our training participants to complete the course at a time and pace that works for them.
For more information: https://sfiofpa.org/loggers/virtual-logger-training/

02/20/2026

Registration is live at https://nthardwoods.org/training-events/

Let us know which levels you are interested in, May levels are still to be determined!

02/20/2026

Across the country, loggers and forest professionals are participating in structured training and education programs through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Logger Training and Education (SFI LT&E) effort. This isn’t just about learning new skills. It is about shaping the future of forestry.

Walk into a forest near you, whether that is the rolling hardwoods of Tennessee or the towering pine stands of Minnesota, and something important is happening. You will hear chainsaws humming…