Southern Appalachian Woodland Network in Pennsylvania
(SAWN-PA)
Explore Woodland Stewardship
Informing, Educating and Advocating on all aspects of woodland stewardship in Pennsylvania's Southern Appalachian region.
Big Title
Upcoming Events
Summer/Fall 2026
Saturday, July or August (Check back for date and location)
Visit to a Member’s Woodland Property
Learn how a SAWN-PA member is developing and managing their woodland and the issues and challenges they are facing. Share your observations, ideas, and experiences with your own property.
​
Saturday, September 26, 10am - noon (Picnic lunch afterwards)
A Walk and Talk in Penn’s Woods: Examining the Health of Our State Tree, the Eastern Hemlock (Co-sponsored with the Bureau of Forestry, DCNR)
Learn about Pennsylvania's State tree, the Eastern Hemlock, as we hike through the woods at beautiful Colonel Denning State Park led by experts from the Bureau of Forestry. While our Eastern Hemlocks suffer from infestation by the Woolly Adelgid, new efforts are underway to combat this pest. Learn about the latest research on predator flies and beetles that the Bureau is releasing in our forests, and how to identify and report exceptional Hemlocks that show resistance to the Woolly Adelgid.
Location: Colonel Denning State Park; Meet in main parking lot near Pavillion 1,
1599 Doubling Gap Rd, Newville, PA 17241
​
Winter/Spring 2027
Thursday, January 14, Open Forum 6 - 8pm; Member Annual Meeting 8 - 9pm
(check back for location)
Open Forum and Member Annual Meeting
The Open Forum welcomes SAWN-PA members and the public. It provides an opportunity for attendees to discuss their woodland challenges, ask questions, and receive feedback. The goal of the Forum is to help each other to become better forest stewards by sharing information and ideas. After the Open Forum, SAWN-PA members will participate in the Annual Meeting of the organization.
Thursday, February (Check back for date and location)
Talk and Discussion - Wildlife in our Woodlands
Learn about the variety of wildlife in our forests and how to enhance your woodland wildlife habitat.
​
Saturday, March 27, 9am - noon
Spring Workshop – Controlling Invasive Plant Species in our Woods
Learn from experts how to identify and manage invasive plant species in your woodlands. Workshop will include how to employ an integrated management approach that uses mechanical, chemical, and cultural controls. The workshop will include practicing how to identify invasives and demonstrations on how to use the various control tactics.
Location: Furnace Run Nature Center, 2244 Lindsay Lot Road Shippensburg, PA 17257
Saturday, June (Check back for date and location)
Member Picnic
Enjoy a social gathering with SAWN-PA members to celebrate our shared commitment to forest stewardship!
Pictures from Our March 28, 2026 Workshop!
Sarah Voight and Matt King from USDA present on USDA programs and resources for forest landowners.
Alyssa Good, Furnace Run Nature Center Coordinator, welcomes everyone.
Afternoon Woodland Walk to observe and discuss different forest habitats, plant and tree species.
Patrick Grunwald, a Wildlife Biologist with Pheasants Forever, discusses how to create early successional habitat native wildlife.
Membership Types and Policies
-
Membership in SAWN-PA is open to forest landowners, as well as individuals interested in fulfilling its purpose who reside in, or own forest land, in the Pennsylvania Counties of Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, Perry and the surrounding region.
-
The types of membership are:
-
Individual Membership: forest landowners and people interested in the stewardship of our environment who endorse and support the mission and purpose of SAWN-PA.
-
Student Membership: full-time students who reside in or attend school in the region who endorse and support the mission and purpose of SAWN-PA.
-
Associate Membership: organizations that own forest land; have a mission that includes environmental education, land preservation, wildlife conservation; or provide products or services to woodland owners; and support the mission and purpose of SAWN-PA.
-
-
Annual dues are currently $20 per year.
-
Each Individual member has one vote at SAWN-PA meetings for
business and Board of Director elections. Student and Associate members do not have a vote, but may serve on committees, task forces, and other appointed groups. -
Membership is on an annual basis beginning April 1 and running
through March 31. Any member joining after April 30 of any year will pay a prorated dues amount based on the remaining number of months in the membership year. -
Any Officer, Director, or Member, who has acted in a manner that is not in the best interests of SAWN-PA may be removed by a majority vote of the Directors at any board meeting.
Education and Resources
Education
We provide information about and sponsor programs on woodland stewardship, including ecological restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, and forest management. Our education programs help to enhance your woodland management knowledge and skills.
Our Story
We are a community committed to providing woodland stewardship information, resources and education in the Southern Appalachian Region of Southcentral Pennsylvania.
Our goal is to create a network of members who share an interest in growing their knowledge of
forest stewardship and management, woodland uses and resources, and related topics. Through educational programs such as workshops, woodland tours, and relevant
subjects, SAWN-PA seeks to promote best practices for the betterment of forests, people, wildlife, and communities of the Southern Appalachian region in Pennsylvania.