OKOME, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is celebrating the inclusion of two forest tracts in the Pennsylvania Wilds within the national Old-Growth Forest Network. The newly inducted sites are Colton Point State Park in Tioga County and the Bark Cabin Natural Area within Tiadaghton State Forest in Lycoming County.
“Pennsylvania leads the nation in designated old-growth forests, which is a testament to the Commonwealth’s legacy of conservation and environmental stewardship,” said DCNR Deputy Secretary John Norbeck. “These important designations are critical in helping the public understand the immense value of our forests, especially our older forests, and the value they add to ensuring we have clean air and water.”
Colton Point State Park, the first Tioga County location to be recognized, becomes the 37th site in Pennsylvania to join the Old-Growth Forest Network. This 368-acre park, located on the west rim of Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, offers sweeping views of the canyon and features scattered old-growth hemlock and white pine. The park’s historical significance dates back to logging operations in 1879–1880, with some trees spared from harvesting that now form surviving pockets of old forest.
“Colton Point’s induction into the Old-Growth Forest Network underscores the importance of protecting areas of scenic, historic and ecological significance, whether or not these areas are in a traditional forest setting,” said State Parks Director John Hallas. “This is a tremendous win for the Pennsylvania Wilds region and our wonderful state parks system.”
The Bark Cabin Natural Area, now the 38th Pennsylvania inductee and the first in Lycoming County, protects 82 acres of forest. Central to this area is a 7-acre grove of old-growth Eastern hemlocks, some of the oldest trees in the state. Located near the Mid-State Trail, the site highlights the Commonwealth’s ongoing efforts to preserve its forest heritage.
“These areas not only protect scarce and rare natural wonders but also provide environmental services such as storing carbon, providing wildlife habitat, and cleaning and retaining stormwater,” said Brian Kane, Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager for the Old-Growth Forest Network. “We are truly grateful that the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recognizes the importance of old-growth forests.”
The DCNR continues to emphasize statewide conservation through its recently unveiled “Forests for All” plan, a blueprint aimed at protecting Pennsylvania’s 17 million acres of forest while promoting sustainable forestry practices and advancing public engagement. These efforts reflect the state’s commitment to maintaining healthy, thriving ecosystems and upholding its Constitutional responsibilities to environmental preservation.
Old-growth forests offer unique benefits to the environment, including enhanced carbon storage and the retention of nitrogen that improves water and air quality. Pennsylvania’s inclusion of these forest tracts strengthens the Commonwealth’s conservation leadership, providing essential ecological benefits and opportunities for public appreciation of nature.
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