Beaver County Conservation District Certified as Stewardship Forest
DCNR Service Forester for Beaver County Jessica Pierce (on the right) presents a Forest Stewardship sign to district representatives Hannah Ward and Richard Voytko. Photo provided by Beaver County Conservation District.
The Beaver County Conservation District has been certified as a Stewardship Forest. Jessica Pierce, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Service forester, recently presented the district with a sign noting this achievement. The Forest Stewardship Program is designed to promote the wise use and sustained benefits of forest resources.
To obtain this certification, the district developed a Forest Management Plan to guide the management of the forest resources on the Environmental Center grounds.
The plan has four key goals, which include:
- Restoration of Native Ecosystems-Forest Health
- Increase Opportunities for Outdoor Environmental Education
- Improve Wildlife Habitat
- Encourage Passive Recreation
This plan details the major forest habitat types and how they will be managed over the next ten years. This plan complements the existing land management and integrated pest management plans previously developed for the environmental center grounds.
The forests and wetlands at the district environmental center grounds are open to the public for hiking, bird watching, and a host of other outdoor pursuits. Come visit the grounds and enjoy the forest!