Habitat rehab effort completed in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest

From Allegheny National Forest

Bradford, Pa. —The U.S. Forest Service recently partnered with multiple organizations to rehabilitate and enhance existing wildlife habitat in the Allegheny National Forest.

On June 1, three dozen participants worked in the Farnsworth watershed to improve wildlife habitat by restoring fencing, installing bird boxes, and planting trees and shrubs.

The event was organized in partnership with the National Deer Association, a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the future of deer, wildlife habitat and hunting.

Two dozen volunteers from the association joined Forest Service and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources staff in the rehabilitation effort at Farnsworth.

Volunteers were additionally gathered through the Working for Wildlife Tour hosted by MeatEater, Inc., an outdoor lifestyle company with a commitment to conservation.

The Working for Wildlife Tour began in 2023 to bring attention to the critical work done by conservationists to improve public lands and steward our nation’s natural resources.

The tour’s purpose is to bring hunters and anglers together, volunteering their time to improve wildlife habitat, restore ecosystems, and clean up public lands and waterways.

During the June 1 event, participants installed 14 bluebird boxes with predator guards, 600 feet of new fencing to protect plants from animal browsing, planted 50 eastern white pine and buttonbush saplings, and removed 2,000 feet of worn fencing.

This work resulted in the creation of critical nesting habitat, high-value seasonal food, and needed cover for a variety of wildlife, including pollinators such as hummingbirds, honeybees, and butterflies.

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