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Bear Meadows Added to National Old-Growth Forest Network

Bear Meadows Natural Area, located in Rothrock State Forest in Centre County, has been added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network. Courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

StateCollege.com Staff

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

The 350-acre old-growth mountain bog forest in Rothrock State Forest “protects an entire high mountain fen wetland, which is a unique, rare ecosystem in Pennsylvania,” according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which celebrated the addition at the Bear Meadows trailhead in Boalsburg.

Bear Meadows’ forest consists of northern hardwoods, mixed oak species, Eastern Hemlock and rhododendron.

Founded in 2012, the Old Growth Forest Network educates the public about the ecological benefits of old-growth forests and supports their preservation, speaking out regarding immediate threats to specific ancient forests. It currently includes 305 forests in 39 states.

“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,” DCNR Deputy Secretary John Norbeck said in a statement. “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.”

Old-growth forests are considered to be particularly valuable to a healthy ecosystem because they retain more carbon and nitrogen than younger forests, improving water and air quality, according to DCNR.

“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,” Brian Kane, Mid-Atlantic regional manager for the Old-Growth Forest Network, said in a statment. “DCNR’s commitment to the preservation of these valuable forests shows leadership that is a model to all other states. We are truly grateful that the DCNR recognizes the importance of old-growth forests — they have been a tremendous conservation partner to OGFN.”

DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry recently launched “Forests for All – A Plan for Pennsylvania’s Forests and People.” The strategic plan aims to protect, enhance and connect Pennsylvanians to the state’s 17 million acres of forests, serving as a road map to serving residents’ state constitutional right to clean air, pure water and the preservation of the environment while strengthening forestry management and public engagement.

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