By Scott A. Yeager for GANT News
You don’t have to travel far in the Pennsylvania Wilds to discover the things that you really need in this life.
Granted, there are those in and around sleepy little village of Dent’s Run, near Benezette in Elk County, who declare that four million or so in lost Civil War gold would remedy most ills.
However, if you look upon the PA Wilds at face value, you’ll discover that this land has and still affords all residents and visitors alike with those things that are most essential to a good life.
When you mention the word treasure to a resident of the Pennsylvania Wilds, brace yourself because the answers will be as diverse as the communities that dot our region.
For some, the treasure is our ample forest land. For centuries, people have made a living from and within our forests, they have supported their families and have managed them with great care – and get better at doing so with each passing generation.
Throughout the early histories of Clearfield, Jefferson, Clarion and other northern communities, timber from our region not only aided in the construction of our communities, but also in the nation’s development.
The hills do hide a treasure of sorts for those who know how to manage it properly. It was the U.S. Congress in 1923 who, in accord with the Week’s Act, purchased and began to manage the Allegheny National Forest.
At the time, the land in most of north-central Pennsylvania had been over-harvested by early settlers bent on seeking their fortunes. Fortunately for us, sanity ruled the day and the wealth of our land persists for our enjoyment.
Another treasure that may crop up from time to time in conversations with residents of the PA Wilds may reference our abundance of wildlife, fish and edible plants.
Unlike other wild regions of the planet, our soils are rich and teaming with wild plants, fruit bearing trees and bushes, as well as many medicinal plants.
With time and a bit of hiking the hills and valleys, one can develop a list of both edibles and medicinals that rival those that you may find in modern grocery stores.
From wild ginseng to willow bark for help with your circulation and black raspberries and wild walnuts to help with hunger, our region is brimming with natural treats – especially in wetter years.
Without a doubt, our diverse wildlife is a real treasure, and it is what draws so many people to our forests. The deer, elk, turkey and bear are plentiful. Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, fishers and porcupines also thrive here.
Game birds, song birds and raptors fill our skies. Look under foot or under water, and the treasures keep multiplying. Our waterways are thriving; and while some have had their challenges, techniques for sustaining and even reclaiming them are better than ever.
Some animals, like the beaver, join in with the residents to help us manage our forests. Our wildlife is a gift. Every species, from the northern peepers in spring to the owls of night, contributes something to the betterment of our land.
Speaking of land, it was Leo Tolstoy, who once crafted a tale, begging the question – “How Much Land Does A Man Need?” In Tolstoy’s tale, a wise Chief of the Bashkirs, handles a land dispute by creating a contest of sorts for those seeking enough land.
Pahom, a young person eager to establish his own claim, participates in a simple riding contest designed by the chief. Each rider could claim their tract of land by riding out and placing a marker.
They could ride as far as they would like; however, they had to return to the hill upon which the chief sat by sundown. Pahom rode nearly all day. He marked a huge claim, almost as large as the Allegheny National Forest.
As he raced back, the sun was setting on him. He struggled to climb the hill. As he neared the summit, his life left him. In the end, Pahom ended up with a six-foot tract of land, according to Tolstoy and his chief, that is all of the land any person really needs.
While it is almost certain that Leo Tolstoy never visited the Pennsylvania Wilds, his tale aligns well with life in our region. Our treasures are living and thriving right before us.
When the sun rises upon our mountain tops and creeps into the misty valleys, we are granted an opportunity to participate in something quite priceless – we are close to life itself – we are among the fortunate, for our treasures are the forests, mountains, wildlife and the people of a very special place, a rare place upon this earth.