Community Spotlight

• Bureau of Forestry - 4455 Big Spring Road, New Germantown, PA
• Facebook Page: Tuscarora State Forest

• Last month, our Community Spotlight was the Recycling Program at Tusacarora State Forest. This month, we will explore the Tuscarora State Forest itself. The Forest spans over 97,000 acres in portions of six counties. The "North Block" consists of areas in Mifflin, Juniata, and Huntingdon counties. The "South Block" consists of areas in Perry, Franklin, and Cumberland counties. Within the Forest, there are three State Parks - Fowler's Hollow, Big Spring, and Colonel Denning. The Forest has over thirty employees which include the Forestry Bureau, Administration and Maintenance, and two State Forest Rangers.

• Within the Forest itself, there are plenty of recreational opportunities available in the forest including hiking, biking, camping, hunting, fishing, picnicking, birdwatching, sightseeing, etc. Primitive camping can be reserved online for a small fee or you can visit the office near New Germantown to secure a site. The office is open from 8am - 4pm on Monday through Friday. There you can also get Trail maps and other information about the Forest and its Parks. You also can look at the exhibits of wildlife in the Forest. Pictured above is the proposed changes underway with Forestry Office. It should be noted that it will under construction for the next few months.

• The two State Forest Rangers are responsible for the law enforcement within the Forest limits. This includes traffic violations, dumping, illegal hunting, drug activities, and anything else a Police Officer is responsible for. In short, they need to perform the duties of a Police Officer, Fish and Game Warden, Animal Enforcement, Wildlife Rescue and Emergency, public relations, and also conservation projects. All of the roads, paved or not, are subject to the same laws as any PA highway. Rules and Regulations are posted at the entrance of each of the roads into the Forest. It should be noted that speed limits on all Forest roads are 25 MPH unless otherwise posted. Travelling these roads The at any higher speeds can be dangerous since surfaces are unpredictable and are often rough due to erosion and wear.

• The State Forest also offers a Self-Guided Auto Tour that is available in the main office. With its variety of wildlife, trails, hiking opportunities, and the three State Parks, the Tuscarora State Forest is some place you could visit every day and always have a great time.