The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry works to ensure the long-term health, viability, and productivity of the Commonwealth’s 2.2 million acre state forest system, which comprises 13 percent of the forested area in the Commonwealth.
Under sound ecosystem management, state forests are conserved to retain their wild character and maintain biological diversity while providing:
- Pure water
- Opportunities for low-density recreation
- Habitats for forest plants and animals
- Sustained yields of quality timber
- Environmentally sound utilization of mineral resources
Management of Pennsylvania state forests is guided by:
- The State Forest Resource Management Plan
- Penn’s Woods -- the department’s Bureau of Forestry’s Strategic Plan
- The Pennsylvania Forest Action Plan
These plans are updated over time.
A new Bureau of Forestry strategic plan is being developed and will be finalized soon.
New Bureau of Forestry Draft Strategic Plan
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry has developed a new, draft strategic plan -- Forests for All: A Plan for Pennsylvania’s Forests and People (PDF) -- which outlines a vision and mission for the future of the Commonwealth’s forests and its people.
The plan is rooted in strengthening the ecosystem management foundations laid by the department and growing its connections with people and communities.
The current draft plan outlines five goals in support of that vision and mission.
The plan is currently undergoing review and finalization, and is subject to change.
Draft Strategic Plan Public Town Hall
The Bureau of Forestry held a town hall about the draft strategic plan on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
A replay of the Bureau of Forestry Draft Strategic Plan Town Hall is available for you to learn more about the future of Pennsylvania’s forests and the draft plan.