“Pennsylvania continues to be a leader in designated old-growth forests, which is critical in helping the public understand the value of our forests, especially our older forests, to ensuring we have clean air and water,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary John Norbeck after a recent tour of the area.

“Leaders like Dr. Joseph Trimble Rothrock — the namesake of this state forest — were instrumental in reforesting this area and ensuring we have beautiful spaces like this to enjoy generations later. Thank you to The Old-Growth Forest Network for continuing its mission of highlighting these special natural areas,” Norbeck added.

Rothrock was a native of Mifflin County and served as the Commonwealth’s first forestry commissioner. He is commonly recognized as the “Father of Forestry” in Pennsylvania.

Bear Meadows Natural Area is the 39th Pennsylvania forest to be inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network and the first in Centre County.

Photo courtesy of DCNR
A group, including officials from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, tour the Bear Meadows Natural Area in Rothrock State Forest, Centre County.

Bear Meadows Natural Area includes 350 acres of superb old-growth mountain bog forest, protects an entire high mountain fen wetland, which is a unique, rare ecosystem in Pennsylvania. The forest surrounding the wetland consists of northern hardwoods, mixed oak species, Eastern Hemlock and rhododendron.

DCNR, which celebrated the announcement on July 18, recently unveiled “Forests for All — A Plan for Pennsylvania’s Forests and People,” a forward-thinking strategy to protect, enhance and connect Pennsylvanians to the state’s 17 million acres of forests. The plan is a roadmap to ensure Pennsylvanians’ Constitutional right to clean air, pure water and the preservation of the environment while strengthening forestry management and public engagement all across the Commonwealth.

All forests are essential to a healthy ecosystem, but old-growth forests are particularly valuable as they retain more carbon and nitrogen than younger forests, improving water and air quality.

“The ecological services provided by old-growth forests are numerous, as they cleanse and store stormwater, store carbon, provide valuable habitat for rare and endangered species, and cool ground surface temperatures,” said Brian Kane, Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager with the Old-Growth Forest Network.

“DCNR’s commitment to the preservation of these valuable forests shows leadership that is a model to all other states,” Kane added. “We are truly grateful that the DCNR recognizes the importance of old-growth forests — they have been a tremendous conservation partner to OGFN.”

Founded in 2012 by Dr. Joan Maloof, OGFN currently includes more than 305 forests across 39 states. The network educates the public about the ecological benefits of old-growth forests and speaks out regarding immediate threats to specific ancient forests.

For more information about old-growth forests, visit www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr.