News & Updates

LHR Announces Winners of 2022-2023 Mini-Grant Program

The Lumber Heritage Region (LHR) is excited to announce the recipients of its 2022-2023 Mini-Grant Program. These grants will leverage more than $66,000 in local spending, aiming to build communities and improve life for residents and visitors alike.

Grant Program Overview

Funded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Partnership Grant, the mini-grant program supports local projects that enhance the heritage and resources of the Lumber Heritage Region. This year, LHR funded seven out of the fifteen organizations that applied, demonstrating the high level of interest and quality of proposals received.

“We are ecstatic about the number of great projects that were presented in this round of grants. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t support all of them,” said Executive Director Holly Komonczi.

Since 2001, the LHR has leveraged over $3 million in projects across the Lumber Heritage Region. The organization’s mission is to support communities and preserve the forest products industries by making tools and assets available to visitors and residents of the fifteen-county region.

2022-2023 Mini-Grant Recipients

Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group

Cameron County Recreation Center

Centre County Historical Society

Dubois Area Historical Society

Lycoming County Visitor Bureau

McKean County Historical Society

Muncy Historical Society

Funding and Support

The mini-grant program is financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) and the Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. The funding requires a dollar-for-dollar match, ensuring that every grant dollar is effectively doubled.

Get Involved

To get involved or donate to one of the many projects in the region, please email info@lumberheritage.org or visit the LHR’s website at www.lumberheritage.org. Your support helps sustain and grow the valuable work being done to preserve and promote the rich heritage of the region.

Stay tuned to our social media and website for updates on the next round of funding and ongoing projects.

More Industry News From LHR

News & Updates

Lumber Heritage Region Receives DCNR Grant to Develop Warren County’s First 18-Hole Disc Golf Course

Lumber Heritage Region Receives DCNR Grant to Develop Warren County’s First 18-Hole Disc Golf Course Warren, PA – The Lumber Heritage Region (LHR) has been awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to design and build an 18-hole disc golf course on the Hatch Run Property in Warren, PA. LHR is partnering with the Warren County Visitor Bureau and the Warren County Conservation District (WCCD) to bring this exciting recreational project to life. This will be the first and only 18-hole disc golf course in Warren County, offering a unique combination of outdoor recreation, historic interpretation, and conservation education. The Hatch Run Conservation Demonstration Area, managed by the Warren County Conservation District, is a 350-acre property dedicated to environmental education, outdoor recreation, and sustainable land management practices. The area features scenic trails, diverse wildlife habitats, and forested landscapes, making it an ideal location for a disc golf course that emphasizes both recreation and environmental awareness. The course will be designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, preserving the property’s rich biodiversity while providing an engaging space for disc golf enthusiasts of all skill levels. This project aims to expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the region while promoting environmental stewardship and local history. The course will feature interpretive signage highlighting Warren County’s rich lumber heritage, forestry conservation efforts, and the ecological significance of the Hatch Run property. “We are thrilled to bring this exciting project to Warren County with the support of DCNR and our dedicated partners,” said Holly Komonczi, Executive Director of the LHR. “Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport that appeals to all ages and skill levels, and this course will not only provide a fantastic recreational outlet but also help connect players with the history and natural beauty of the region.” In addition to benefiting local residents, this project will be a significant asset to Warren County’s tourism efforts. As disc golf continues to grow in popularity, the new course will attract players from surrounding areas, boosting visitor traffic, local businesses, and outdoor tourism. The Warren County Visitors Bureau recognizes this as an opportunity to diversify the county’s outdoor recreation offerings and further position the region as a premier destination for nature-based tourism. “As Warren County’s destination marketing organization, our job is promoting our assets to bring people to the area. When Holly approached us asking if there was a dream project we would like to pursue, a disc golf course was the automatic answer. Warren County is known for a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, our number one tourist draw, but nowhere in the county is a disc golf course, one of the nation’s most rapidly growing sports. The location at HRCD is perfect with its proximity to restaurants, stores, and other amenities while still providing a remote forest experience. This will be a great economic asset as dedicated disc golfers travel far and wide to try new courses and will need a place to eat, sleep, and shop. It will also give locals easy access to a new adventure. Every step of the process has been exciting, and we look forward to seeing Warren County’s newest amenity come to fruition and become a favorite for locals and tourists alike.” – Casey Ferry, executive director of the Warren County Visitors Bureau. LHR, in collaboration with the Warren County Visitors Bureau and WCCD, will ensure the course is designed to enhance the outdoor experience while maintaining the integrity of the Hatch Run property. The inclusion of interpretive elements will provide players with a deeper appreciation for Pennsylvania’s lumber industry, forest conservation, and sustainable land management practices. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction set to begin in the coming months. Once completed, the course will be open to the public, providing free access to both beginners and seasoned disc golfers. For more information on the project or ways to get involved, please contact Holly Komonczi. About the Lumber Heritage Region The Lumber Heritage Region is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history and culture of Pennsylvania’s lumber industry through community engagement, education, and sustainable recreation initiatives. About the Warren County Visitors Bureau The Warren County Visitors Bureau promotes tourism and outdoor recreation in Warren County, highlighting its natural beauty, history, and unique attractions to visitors from near and far. About the Warren County Conservation District The Warren County Conservation District (WCCD) works to conserve and protect the county’s natural resources through education, stewardship, and sustainable land management practices. Media Contact: Holly Komonczi Executive Director Lumber Heritage Area hkomonczi@lumberheritage.org Casey Ferry Executive Director Warren County Visitors Bureau director@wcvb.net

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Highlighting Black History in the Lumber Heritage Region

Discover some of the lumber and forest related stories of Black Americans in the Lumber Heritage Region and throughout Pennsylvania. Combatting injustice, breaking barriers, and contributing to the forests and places we hold dear today, explore just a few of these fascinating stories in this Black History Month feature!

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