Lumber Heritage Region Awarded Two DCNR Grants for Multi-County Projects

The Lumber Heritage Region (LHR), one of Pennsylvania’s twelve heritage regions, is thrilled to announce that we have secured $365,000 in grant funding for projects across our 15-county region. This substantial funding comes from two separate partnership grants provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). These competitive grants are applied for annually, and we are proud of the hard work and dedication of our team in securing this vital support.

A Message from Our Leadership

“I am pleased that through the hard work of our staff, the LHR has been able to secure this grant funding. With it, we will be able to continue the work of promoting the heritage, the present, and the future of the 15 counties that make up the LHR.” – Josh Fox, Chairman, Board of Directors

Impacting All 15 Counties

All fifteen counties within the Lumber Heritage Region will benefit from this funding. Our ongoing projects in education, outreach, tourism promotion, and marketing will receive a significant boost, impacting each community in meaningful ways. Last year, we taught over 1,500 school-aged children about the importance of lumbering to our region and created two virtual educational tools, “Boom Heritage” and “Legends of Lumbering,” which are available on our YouTube Channel.

Mini Grants and Upcoming Projects

In July 2022, we awarded seven mini grants as part of this funding. These projects, which will be completed by May 2024, include:

• Allegheny Hardwoods Utilization Group: Interpretive panels
• Cameron County Recreation: Dark Sky Programming
• Centre County Historical Society: Passport Program and Interpretive Panels
• DuBois Historical Society: Interpretive Panel
• Lycoming County Tourism: Brochures
• McKean County Historical Society: Fire Tower Restoration
• Muncy Historical Society: Interpretive Panels

Key Projects Funded

Fire Tower Restoration

One of the key projects funded by these grants is the restoration of a fire tower, which will become part of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum Campus in Potter County. This tower will enhance the tourism offerings in Potter County, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about the vital heritage of the forest products industry.

Interactive Display Case

Another exciting project is the installation of a new interactive promotional display case at the Tioga County Visitor Center. This display will help visitors learn more about the LHR, view historic lumbering items, and find merchandise sold by the LHR. We are seeking additional sites for similar display cases. If you are interested in hosting one, please email hkomonczi@lumberheritage.org.

Dark Sky Park Planning

Additionally, we are conducting a planning study to develop a Dark Sky Park in Cameron County as part of the county’s revitalization efforts. This park will invite more visitors to enjoy nature both day and night, promoting environmental awareness and appreciation.

A Bright Future for LHR

“It is such a pleasure working with an organization that can offer so many economic drivers to so many communities. In the six years I have been with the LHR, I have been able to secure over $1.4 million in grants and other funds for our 15-county region,” exclaimed Holly Komonczi, Executive Director. The Lumber Heritage Region operates with two full-time staff members and a host of dedicated volunteers.

Join Us

We are always looking for great project ideas and community involvement. This year, we will be updating our Management Action Plan, and we invite you to be part of this process. If you have ideas or want to ensure your community is part of future projects and plans, please email hkomonczi@lumberheritage.org.

For more information about our programs and initiatives, visit our website at www.lumberheritage.org. Join us in celebrating and supporting the rich heritage and vibrant future of the Lumber Heritage Region.