News and Events

September 2007

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY APPLAUDS PENNSYLVANIA LUMBER COMPANY FOR ITS WORK, DEDICATION

HARRISBURG – As an example of Pennsylvania’s commitment to sustainable forest management, the Department of Agriculture is praising a company it has worked hand-in-hand with and has received national recognition for its efforts.

Deer Park Lumber, Tunkhannock, has received the 2007 Forest Stewardship Award from the National Hardwoods Lumber Association for its commitment to hardwoods education and sustainable forest management, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.

“Today is a great day for the Pennsylvania hardwoods industry,” said Wolff. “I am delighted that one of our premier lumber companies was recognized for the invaluable contributions it has made to hardwoods education in Pennsylvania. I thank Deer Park Lumber for their unwavering support of the Pennsylvania WoodMobile and their commitment to forest stewardship."

The forest stewardship award is given every year to a deserving lumber firm for its exemplary involvement and activities in five areas of forest stewardship, including public education and forest management practices.

Governor Edward G. Rendell sent a letter to the hardwoods association lauding Deer Park’s dedication to a successful partnership between industry and government and forest stewardship in Pennsylvania.

In 2002, Deer Park Lumber donated the truck and trailer for the Pennsylvania WoodMobile, a mobile laboratory that teaches visitors the importance of responsible forest use. Since then, Deer Park has installed hardwood flooring in the trailer and helped to provide educational workshops to local schools within their community.

“Deer Park Lumber was most deserving of this award,” Wolff said. “They have provided resources that have helped to make the WoodMobile a national example in hardwoods education.”

The WoodMobile travels nearly 150 days per year from April to November, delivering free, educational programs to some 11,000 elementary and middle school students and 150,000 members of the public. Since its debut, the WoodMobile has exhibited at more than 280 events hosting nearly 750,000 visitors. It expects to reach one million visitors by 2009.

The Pennsylvania Hardwood Development Council was formed in 1988 by the state legislature to promote the commonwealth’s strong hardwood industry. For more information on the WoodMobile, including a schedule or the Pennsylvania hardwoods industry, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us, click on “Students and Educators” and follow the link to the WoodMobile under “Agricultural Education.”