Growing Greener
Growing Greener
The Allegheny National Forest Celebrates 100th Year Anniversary in 2023
The Allegheny National Forest will be sharing and celebrating its 100th Year Anniversary with the public during 2023. On September 24, 1923, the Allegheny National Forest(ANF) was established. The ANF is the only National Forest in Pennsylvania. The Forest now one hundred years later in 2023, is a success story of regeneration and regrowth.
In 1923 these lands looked vastly different. This area in northwestern Pennsylvania was commonly referred to as the “Allegheny Brush Pile.” The trees had been clear cut by timber companies to meet the demands of a growing nation. Lumber was needed for cabins and barns. In 1840, a circular saw could process 10,000 board feet of lumber per day. The tanning industry was also a major forest industry in Pennsylvania, and it required large quantities of hemlock bark for the tanning process.
During the 1900’s, the Allegheny Plateau, once a thriving forest of mostly beech and hemlock, with abundant wildlife, now had low deer counts, and was almost barren. Large landowners simply abandoned the land and moved west in search of new forests. The bare soil left after the logging caused floods, and wildfires were a constant danger.
It was the Weeks Act, passed by the Federal Government in 1911, which changed this story into a success story of regeneration. This act of Congress allowed for land in the eastern states to be purchased for the establishment of National Forests.
The new forest grew quickly by the 1940’s the forest was primarily second growth. As reforestation took place many of the older species were replaced by black cherry, red maple, and sugar maple. This change in species helped to fuel the local economy. The local black cherry timber is considered the finest in the world for making fine furniture.
There are now approximately 80 different species of trees in the Allegheny National Forest. This diversity is what provides the amazing fall colors of bright yellow, red, and orange. The hillsides, once barren, are now once again a vibrant growing forest with trees as far as one can see.
One area to experience existing old growth forest is along the hike to Hector Falls. Parking for the fall is approximately two miles down a dirt road, which starts in the town of Ludlow. At the end of the trek you will find a waterfall which plummets from a rectangular shaped rock face. The area has a lost world type of feeling. GPS coordinates are 41.6853 -78.975067.
Wildlife has also returned. A special research area on the ANF and nearby lands is the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative which is based on the science of quality habitat for quality deer.
It was after World War II when families first discovered the joys of camping and outdoor recreation on the National Forests. Today, the ANF has over 3.7 million visitors annually on its 514,029 acres, with camping and cabins, fishing, boating, hiking, biking and mountain biking, plus ATV and snowmobiling trails. In all, there are over 600 miles of multi-use trails. It is now often remarked that the Forest is “so big, so green.”
To mark the Centennial of the Forest a variety of stories, outreach at events, and planned activities will be held throughout the year to celebrate this amazing story of regeneration and recovery.
One upcoming event is the Full Moon Walk on Friday, February 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Guided by the light of the moon, this will be a family-friendly exploration of the Moon and life in the forest. The Moon Walk will begin at Timberdoodle Flats Interpretive Parking Lot, along Rt. 59, in the Allegheny National Forest. It is suggested you wear your hiking or winter boots, weather appropriate clothing, and bring along a flashlight. For additional information on this event please call 814-363-6000.
For future events please check out the website page VisitANF.com/events. For travel information, including camping & cabins in the Allegheny National Forest please call 800-473-9370 or download the Adventure Guide from VisitANF.com.