Exciting Initiatives

Women and Their Woods

In 2007, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy recognized the need for programs tailored specifically for women forest landowners. In 2008, with support from the US Forest Service at Grey Towers, the Conservancy offered an educational program for these women landowners in northeast PA and Women and Their Woods was born.

Since then, the effort has expanded to include women from across the mid-Atlantic region, who are mentors for other landowners in their communities and help the growing demographic of women forest landowners properly steward their lands.

Women and Their Woods participants meet throughout the year to learn about forest management and share potluck meals. Past program topics have included Setting Goals and Objectives for your  Forestland, ID and Control Methods of Invasive Plants, Field ID of Forest Insects and Diseases, Field Tour of Award-Winning Tree Farm, Conservation and Cost Sharing Opportunities, Forest Wetlands Walk, and Estate Planning for Forest Landowners.

In 2011, the Conservancy partnered with Penn State Natural Resources Extension to offer the first four day educational retreat for women forest landowners. The event featured workshops led by professionals from PA DCNR, the PA Game Commission, Penn State University, Oregon State University and the US Forest Service. Attendees gained information on forest management and learned the basics about mentoring other women landowners in their regions.