Lumber Heritage Region: 2023 Year in Review

Welcoming New Team Members

Staff Growth
We welcomed Rowan Crisp as the Education and Outreach Administrator in October 2023. Rowan brings valuable skills and knowledge to our team, enhancing our ability to engage with the community and promote our heritage.

Key Projects and Initiatives

Thomas Taber III Book Series Reprint
One of our major projects was the reprint of the Thomas T. Taber III book series, a critical work documenting the history of the Forest Products Industry. Despite the challenges of digitizing the original typewriter-written manuscripts, we successfully preserved the integrity of Mr. Taber’s work. The new two-volume series is now available in our online store and will be distributed to retail locations across the region.

Development of a Marketing Plan
Recognizing the need for a comprehensive marketing strategy, we developed our first Marketing Plan with input from a leadership team representing various regional stakeholders. The plan focuses on enhancing awareness, promoting heritage stories and themes, emphasizing outdoor recreation, strengthening partnerships, engaging visitors, and expanding educational outreach.

Diversity Study Implementation
Building on the feedback from our Diversity Study, we developed interpretive panels and educational resources to share the diverse stories of the lumber industry. These panels have been placed in high-visibility areas across the region. Additionally, we created a guide to help partners develop inclusive presentations and signage.

Community Engagement and Outreach

Mini Grant Program
Our Mini Grant Program supported various community projects, leveraging $25,000 from DCNR’s Heritage Area Program to generate $60,000 in project spending. Funded projects included interpretive panels, dark sky programming, and tourism brochures, benefiting numerous counties.

Educational and Outreach Activities
We reached thousands of people through our educational efforts, including school presentations, event booths, and diversity workshops. Our visibility throughout the region helped raise awareness about the importance of the lumber industry and its heritage.

Expanding Partnerships

New Partnerships
In 2023, we welcomed 36 new partners, including businesses, historical societies, and environmental organizations. These partnerships enhance our ability to preserve and celebrate the region’s lumber heritage. Notable new partners include the Knoxville Public Library & Historical Museum, McKean County Historical Society, and the Pennsylvania Grain Processing.

Social Media and Newsletter Impact

Facebook Growth
Our Facebook page saw significant growth, with several posts going viral, achieving a 100% ROI on our social media efforts.

Newsletter Engagement
Our newsletter continued to engage our audience, with open rates and click rates above industry averages. The newsletter featured stories from our 15 counties, partner updates, and fun facts.

Looking Ahead to 2024

LHT Mobile App
We are developing an app that will provide oral histories for each stop on the Lumber Heritage Trail, enhancing the visitor experience and meeting DCNR’s goal of relating history to recreation.

Management Action Plan Update
We have begun updating our Management Action Plan, a collaborative effort involving partners, board members, DCNR, and Mackin Engineering. This plan will guide our work for the next several years.

Cameron County Dark Sky Park
Work has started on the strategic plan for the Cameron County Dark Sky Park, with input from a dedicated committee. This project will enhance the region’s recreational offerings and promote environmental stewardship.

2023 was a year of growth and progress for LHR, setting a strong foundation for continued success in 2024. We extend our gratitude to our dedicated team, supportive partners, and engaged community for their contributions to our achievements.