Susquehannock State Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Susquehannock State Forest |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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Susquehannock State Forest, Potter County, as seen from Little Lyman Vista
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 Susquehannock State Forest
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Pennsylvania, United States |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Susquehannock State Forest |
The Susquehannock State Forest is a large public forest in Pennsylvania, United States. It is managed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. The main office for the forest is in Coudersport, a town in Potter County.
This forest is mostly in Potter County, but it also has smaller parts in McKean County and Clinton County. The forest gets its name from the Susquehannock people. They were a Native American tribe who used to live near the Susquehanna River.
Contents
Protecting Pennsylvania's Forests
Why Forests Needed Help
In the late 1800s, many of Pennsylvania's forests were cut down. Companies that made lumber and iron needed a lot of wood. They often cut down almost every tree in an area, leaving behind only stumps and branches.
This way of cutting trees caused big problems. Sparks from passing steam locomotives (old trains) often started huge wildfires. These fires burned the land and stopped new trees from growing. People worried that the forests would never grow back.
The Start of Forest Protection
Some people, like Dr. Joseph Rothrock, were very concerned. They were called conservationists because they wanted to protect nature. They believed forests needed to be managed carefully so they could regrow.
These conservationists pushed for changes. They wanted the state to buy land from the lumber and iron companies. The companies were often happy to sell because they had already used up the trees. Selling the land also meant they didn't have to pay taxes on it anymore.
New Laws for Forests
In 1895, Dr. Rothrock became the first leader of Pennsylvania's Department of Forests and Waters. This department helps manage the state's natural areas. Two years later, in 1897, a new law was passed. This law allowed the state to buy land to create "forest reservations." This was the beginning of Pennsylvania's State Forest system, which includes Susquehannock State Forest.
Hammersley Wild Area: A Road-Free Zone
Inside Susquehannock State Forest, there's a special place called the Hammersley Wild Area. It covers about 30,253 acres. This area is mostly in Potter County and Clinton County.
It's known for being the largest area in Pennsylvania without any roads. This makes it a truly wild place. The area is named after Hammersley Fork, a stream that flows through it. Hikers can explore part of the Susquehannock Trail System here. This trail is about 85 miles long and mostly stays within the state forest.
State Parks Nearby
There are seven Pennsylvania State Parks located in or close to Susquehannock State Forest. These parks offer more chances to enjoy nature:
- Cherry Springs State Park
- Denton Hill State Park
- Lyman Run State Park
- Ole Bull State Park
- Patterson State Park
- Prouty Place State Park
- Sizerville State Park
Neighboring State Forests
Susquehannock State Forest shares borders with other state forests and even another state:
- The state of New York is to the north.
- Tioga State Forest is to the east.
- Tiadaghton State Forest is to the southeast.
- Sproul State Forest is to the south.
- Elk State Forest is also to the south.
- Cornplanter State Forest is to the west.
