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.
EVENTS in 2025
Come to SAWN-PA's first official event!
(Free and Open to the Public)
Friday, June 13, 4:15 - 5:30pm
Wildlife and Our Woodlands
Caledonia State Park
101 Pine Grove Rd, Fayetteville, PA 17222
(First Parking Lot Past Park Office)
Presentation by a Pennsylvania Game Commission Warden on how to manage our woodlands through forest stewardship best practices to benefit wildlife. Learn and discuss how to create and enhance wildlife habitat through techniques such as prescribed archery burns, managing tree snags, and other methods. Ask questions and discuss with other woodland enthusiasts your experiences with wildlife in your woodland. At the end of the presentation, SAWN-PA Board members will be available to discuss the mission and goals of SAWN-PA and how to become a member!
Early September - Invasive Plants in our Region – How to Identify and
When and How to Treat
Mid-September - Member Picnic with a Talk on the History of Environmental Conservation in Pennsylvania
October 18 - A Woodland Walk in Biglerville
Zeigler Mill Road Access Property
Located at 420 Zeigler Mill Road, Biglerville PA 17307.
2 miles south of the town of Biglerville, off Rt 34.
The Zeigler Mill Road Access Property is a great example of multiple agencies and many individuals working together for the conservation of land to benefit both wildlife and the local community. The property contains a section of the Conewago Creek that has been a fly fishing only/catch and release section for decades. However, the 58-acre property was to be sold, and a new owner would have had the power to close it off for fishing if they chose to. Key people sprang into action by working with 6 different agencies and dozens of people. The end result is that the property was purchased and turned over to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission in 2021. It is now open to the public and has a parking lot access for fishermen along with a half mile walking trail. A small hay field is planted with trees and shrubs that one day will become a forest. An 8-acre patch of bottomland that was choked with multiflora rose is now opened up and staged for native plants to come back. While most of the property is still "wild” and unmanaged, there are many opportunities for good, riparian forest management. The Adams County Chapter of Trout Unlimited is contracted to be the “caretaker” of the access and property for the next 23 years while the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is the owner and has ultimate say as to the management of the property.
November – Developing a Forest Management Plan to Sustain Healthy Forests and Streams
Membership Types and Policies
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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.
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The types of membership are:
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Individual Membership: forest landowners and people interested in the stewardship of our environment who endorse and support the mission and purpose of SAWN-PA.
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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.
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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.
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Annual dues are currently $20 per year.
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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.