UNIVERSITY PARK – Those interested in woodlands, trees, wildlife and other aspects of nature will come together next month on Penn State’s University Park campus forPennsylvania Forest Fest, a celebration of the state’s vast forestlands.
Sponsored by the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the College of Agricultural Sciences, the free public event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in and around the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, part of The Arboretum at Penn State, on the corner of Bigler Road and Park Avenue.
“This year’s event is focused on the diversity of amenities and resources we obtain from Pennsylvania’s forests,” said co-organizer Sanford Smith, natural resources and youth extension specialist and senior lecturer in forest resources. “We’ll have a wide variety of exhibits, demonstrations, live music, tours and food for everyone.
“It’s a great opportunity to learn about the management, enjoyment and conservation of our forests,” he said.
Forest Fest will feature woodlot and birding walks, interactive children’s activities, and educational exhibits. Live demonstrations will include “Raptor Power” by staff from Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and “Bugling for 100 Years: Our Celebration of Elk in Pennsylvania.” Music will be performed by Hannah Bingman, Grain and Van Wagner.
Smith noted that space still is available for groups and organizations interested in exhibiting at Forest Fest. Exhibitor information can be found on the event’s website.
Alcoholic beverages, food, lawn furniture, pets, bicycles and sports equipment, including footballs and Frisbees, are prohibited at the H. O. Smith Botanic Gardens.
The mission of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management is to build and disseminate knowledge for the conservation and management of natural and human-dominated ecosystems. The department focuses on applications in fisheries, wildlife, soils, forestry, water and agriculture.
