Lumber Heritage Region: 2019 Year in Review

Strengthening Leadership and Communication

Board Membership and Diversification
In January 2019, Fritz Lecker and Mary Alyce Knauff joined our board, bringing valuable perspectives from the lumber industry and historical societies. The board held a retreat in July to discuss future plans and financial stability, resulting in nine suggestions for financial stability and the formation of four new committees for 2020.

Improved Meeting Efficiency
LHR adopted consent agendas for board meetings, ensuring clear and concise agendas. Reports are sent a week in advance, allowing for efficient decision-making during meetings.

Enhancing Visitor Experiences and Regional Exploration

Themes and Interpretation
We continued to promote our themes through Facebook posts and monthly newsletters, collaborating with the Forest County Historical Museum and enhancing visitor engagement with new interpretive signs at boat launches in Curwensville and Driftwood.

Wayfinding Signage
A major focus in 2019 was the wayfinding program, with 11 signs installed and plans underway for Cambria, Centre, and Lycoming counties. The selfie trail and a major marketing program were also initiated, with the totem pole wayfinding program designed to facilitate smooth regional navigation.

Expanding Online Presence and Industry Relationships

Website Updates
Our website remains a critical resource, regularly updated to ensure functionality and relevance. A new selfie trail section is under construction, featuring maps, site descriptions, and selfie rules.

Lumber Industry Relationships
Despite challenges in data collection and relationship building, we made strides with a PR sheet and in-person interactions at safety meetings and PFPA events. We anticipate further support from the new director of AHUG to bridge the confidence gap with the industry.

Financial Growth and Community Engagement

Funding Beyond DCNR Sources
We increased revenue through book sales and online campaigns, although more work is needed. Partnerships on various projects have brought financial and communal benefits. The Executive Director will continue seeking additional funding through grants.

Strengthening Partnerships
We attended numerous events, strengthening relationships with industry partners. Notably, our Williamsport trip bolstered connections with KWPA and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, aiding the Wayfinding project.

Community Projects and Grant Initiatives

2019 Funded Projects
We supported diverse projects, including:

• Cameron County Youth Outdoor Activities: Construction of an outdoor classroom pavilion.
• North Clarion County School District: Reconstruction of a nature trail with educational signage.
• Allegheny Hardwoods Utilization Group: Production of two educational videos.
• Curwensville Borough: Enhancement of a primitive canoe/kayak launch area.
• Driftwood Borough: Construction of a rustic visitor center building.
• Forest County Historical Museum: Purchase of a shed as a replica Lumber Camp.

Outreach and Marketing

Newsletter and Social Media
Using MailChimp, we expanded our newsletter reach, achieving higher open and click rates compared to 2018. Our Facebook following grew by 402 people, with significant engagement from men aged 34-54 and high engagement from the 55-65+ age group in Williamsport.

Looking Ahead to 2020

Future Plans

• Wayfinding Expansion: Phase I of the wayfinding totem project, including marketing, selfie trails, and geocaching.
• Mini-Grants: A new round of mini-grants opened in January 2020.
• Diversity Study: Partnering with the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum for a diversity study in the lumber industry.
• Strengthening Partnerships: The Outreach Coordinator will seek new partnerships and enhance the Partnership program.
• Asset Identification: Continuation of building a comprehensive database of LHR assets.

We look forward to another year of growth and success, driven by our dedicated team, supportive partners, and engaged community.