In this all-levels workshop, we’ll go over the complete watercolor process, from pencil sketch to final painting. Weather permitting, we’ll start the class with a 15-minute walk to see what natural subjects we can use for inspiration, taking photos and making observations of what we see along the way. Then, we’ll use a combination of living references that I’ve collected prior to the workshop and reference photos to bring our lovely muses to life on the page. Watercolor painting supplies will be provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own kit if you prefer.

Space is limited for this workshop and pre-registration is required. Please indicate your preference for participating in this session in the registration form linked above. You can also call 814-694-5830 or email [email protected] to pre-register for this session. Interested participants will be confirmed in the order registrations are received.

The careful felling of trees and the use of horses to skid logs out of the woods are cornerstones of FSF’s sustainable forestry approach. Join Pat, one of FSF’s Directors and former horse logger, for a demonstration and discussion of this process and the nuances that help to minimize residual damage to the forest during a harvest.

The newly conserved Northwestern REC Community Forest will be managed by FSF as a sustainable working forest, benefiting forest resilience and ensuring a steady supply of sustainably produced logs that support the local community. FSF foresters Guy Dunkle and Troy Firth will lead this woods walk to discuss the history and current state of the forest, exploring how the present condition is informing management and stewardship decisions. Guy and Troy will explain FSF’s guiding principles in conducting a sustainable harvest that balances art and science to create a more resilient, diverse future forest.

At once an artistic celebration, scientific inquiry, and heartfelt eulogy, Tim’s presentation, based on his book Twilight of the Hemlocks and Beeches, will explore the problems our most cherished eastern forests face from exotic insects and pathogens.

The careful felling of trees and the use of horses to skid logs out of the woods are cornerstones of FSF’s sustainable forestry approach. Join Pat, one of FSF’s Directors and former horse logger, for a demonstration and discussion of this process and the nuances that help to minimize residual damage to the forest during a harvest.

Planning for your forestland after your tenure can be a daunting task. Forest legacy planning allows current owners to create structures and processes to allow for seamless transition of the land, as well as the stewardship ethic. In this session, the Finley Center for Private Forests’ Paul Roth will discuss the steps to take to get to forest legacy planning, and walk you through the planning process, common conservation models for your land, tips for navigating potentially difficult conversations with family, professionals to assist, and best practices to ensure it goes smoothly.

For many years, Crawford County had been the state’s only holdout from hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), but the pest was discovered in the County in late 2023. Hemlocks are a keystone species of critical importance to forest and cold-water stream ecosystems and this disease has the potential to shape our forests more significantly than any other tree pest in the past century. DCNR Forest Health Program Specialist Jim Aletmus will begin this session with an overview presentation about HWA’s ecology, spread, impact, and treatment options. Following the presentation, Jim will join a collection of panelists representing different areas of HWA expertise for a discussion and audience Q&A around management approaches, landscape changes, and adaptation in light of HWA.

In this all-levels workshop, we’ll go over the complete watercolor process, from pencil sketch to final painting. Weather permitting, we’ll start the class with a 15-minute walk to see what natural subjects we can use for inspiration, taking photos and making observations of what we see along the way. Then, we’ll use a combination of living references that I’ve collected prior to the workshop and reference photos to bring our lovely muses to life on the page. Watercolor painting supplies will be provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own kit if you prefer.

Space is limited for this workshop and pre-registration is required. Please indicate your preference for participating in this session in the registration form linked above. You can also call 814-694-5830 or email [email protected] to pre-register for this session. Interested participants will be confirmed in the order registrations are received.

Planning for your forestland after your tenure can be a daunting task. Forest legacy planning allows current owners to create structures and processes to allow for seamless transition of the land, as well as the stewardship ethic. In this session, the Finley Center for Private Forests’ Paul Roth will discuss the steps to take to get to forest legacy planning, and walk you through the planning process, common conservation models for your land, tips for navigating potentially difficult conversations with family, professionals to assist, and best practices to ensure it goes smoothly.

The newly conserved Northwestern REC Community Forest will be managed by FSF as a sustainable working forest, benefiting forest resilience and ensuring a steady supply of sustainably produced logs that support the local community. FSF foresters Guy Dunkle and Troy Firth will lead this woods walk to discuss the history and current state of the forest, exploring how the present condition is informing management and stewardship decisions. Guy and Troy will explain FSF’s guiding principles in conducting a sustainable harvest that balances art and science to create a more resilient, diverse future forest.

What is a community forest? How will you be able to interact with this new public space? This session will offer a sneak peak on future plans for the Northwestern REC Community Forest. We will hike a trail that was recently built by the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps and enjoy the scenery while discussing proposed events, uses, and improvements to the site. Your input is welcome!