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
- Forests for All -- 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 has just been released.
Forests for All: A Plan for Pennsylvania's Forests and People
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry has developed a new 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 new plan outlines six goals in support of that vision and mission.