LAKE CITY, PA — In a noteworthy advancement for conservation in Pennsylvania, Erie Bluffs State Park has been officially inducted into the national Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN). This designation underscores the park’s ecological significance and enhances efforts to preserve its unique natural environment.
Erie Bluffs State Park becomes the 33rd forest in Pennsylvania to join the OGFN, marking a significant step in the network’s mission to connect people with nature by safeguarding forests from logging and highlighting these vital ecosystems. As part of a broader initiative, the OGFN aims to protect at least one forest in every U.S. county capable of sustaining a forested ecosystem.
DCNR State Parks Director John Hallas celebrated the park’s inclusion, stating, “Erie Bluffs State Park is a tremendous place to visit and I am happy to be here today to celebrate the induction into the Old-Growth Forest Network. This beautiful, pristine park stands out among our wonderful state park system and I am grateful to the network for recognizing the importance of this unique natural space.”
The park’s nearly 430 acres feature a rich tapestry of older growth trees, particularly near the Lake Erie shoreline and Duck Run ravine. Its diverse canopy boasts large oaks and sugar maples, alongside species such as Eastern hemlock, tulip poplar, and the rare pumpkin ash. Erie Bluffs is also home to rare black oak woodland/savanna ecosystems, Great Lakes sand barrens, and a forested wetland.
Brian Kane, Mid-Atlantic Manager of the OGFN, emphasized the park’s ecological relevance, noting, “Many people will be able to come and visit this remarkable forest and appreciate its maturity and its role in a healthy regional ecology. This forest is particularly significant in that it benefits the quality of water that finds its way to Lake Erie. Healthy protected forests are closely connected to clean drinking water for the region’s residents.”
Beyond its conservation value, Erie Bluffs offers recreational opportunities with a mile-long Lake Erie shoreline, 90-foot bluffs, and trails, though swimming is not permitted. The park provides a day-use setting for fishing and boating, enhancing Pennsylvania’s reputation as “The Great American Getaway.”
Erie Bluffs State Park Manager Matt Greene highlighted the park’s unique ecosystem, stating, “With Erie Bluffs being recognized by the Old Growth Forest Network, it shows that this park is special in its own right, with a completely different ecosystem and experience for the visitors that come here.”
As part of this esteemed network, Erie Bluffs State Park plays a crucial role in promoting conservation awareness and ecological health, reinforcing the value of protecting old-growth forests for future generations.
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