By Blake Jackson
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are working together to support healthier forests across Pennsylvania. Through the Pennsylvania Woodland Resilience Enhancement Network, also known as PWREN, landowners receive financial help to improve forest health, value, and long-term resilience.
The program supports non-industrial landowners who own at least 10 acres of connected forest land and no more than 2,500 total acres. This gives many private woodland owners a chance to improve their forests with professional help and shared funding.
Under the program, landowners are reimbursed for 80 to 100% of approved project costs, up to $25,000. Historically underserved landowners may qualify for 100% support. This group may include veterans discharged in the last 10 years, owners who have held woodland for less than 10 years, tribal members, owners in high-poverty areas, or those who identify as limited-resource producers.
Landowners who join or already belong to a Woodland Stewardship Network may receive 90% reimbursement. Other eligible landowners may receive 80% reimbursement.
The program covers the cost of writing a forest practice plan and many useful woodland improvement projects. Supported activities include brush management, crop tree release, invasive pest treatment, forest stand improvement, supplemental tree and shrub planting, herbaceous weed control, forest farming setup, cover seeding, and agroforestry plantings.
To begin, landowners work with the DCNR Service Forester in their county. Together, they review woodland needs and complete an application. Approved applicants enter an agreement with the Alliance. A PWREN Project Coordinator helps connect landowners with a Technical Service Provider who prepares plans and completes work on the property.
After work is finished, landowners submit receipts to receive reimbursement payments. The program currently has a waitlist because of strong demand.
This effort gives Pennsylvania landowners a practical way to protect forests, improve wildlife habitat, control invasive species, and build stronger woodlands for future generations. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their county Service Forester for details and eligibility.
For more information, please contact Kimberly Bohn, Forests Projects Specialist with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay at kbohn@allianceforthebay.org.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley
Categories: Pennsylvania, General