Public input sought on state's 2.2 million acres of forest land

State officials are asking Pennsylvanians to weigh in via a survey on plans for the roughly 2.2 million acres of land that make up its state forests.

“As the department moves forward in developing a new strategic plan, those who appreciate, work in or recreate in Pennsylvania’s forests have a remarkable opportunity to shape the future management and sustainability of Pennsylvania’s forest resources,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. ”I encourage all to become a part of this state’s rich forest planning heritage by completing the survey.”

The survey runs July 1 through Aug. 31 and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Stakeholders, outdoors enthusiasts and those who visit and enjoy state forests will be asked for their opinions on perceived individual forest use and the personal value they place on forests.

The results will be incorporated into the department’s new strategic plan, which will shape leadership in forest management and conservation on both public and private land in urban and rural areas.

The survey will gauge public opinion on:

• Forest restoration, watershed protection and biodiversity

• Working forests and the resources they contain including oil, gas and timber

• Recreational activities like hiking and biking

• Climate change

• Forest education, outreach and an understanding of forest management and wood products

• The value of trees and forest products

See SurveyMonkey.com/r/BOFplan or click here to take the survey.

For more on state forest land and Pennsylvania’s 20 state forest districts, see DCNR.pa.gov/StateForests.

UPDATE (7/6/20): A previous version of this story referenced an incorrect number for the amount of state-owned forest land.