In April 2023 the Friends presented our case for ecological forest practices to the Lebanon County Commissioners. The Board presented a rebuttal from the park board of directors in August 2023, where they reiterated their support for repeating the methods they have been using for the past two decades—methods that have failed to produce the effect they say that they will. Instead of heathy forest growth in the previously cut areas, there are large swaths of invasive species and single species of trees rather than the variety that is the hallmark of a healthy forest. To date, the Commissioners support the board in continuing to use the same failed method.
Efforts to Support Governor Dick
Many of you have supported us over the past year by:
- Reading our whitepaper presented to the Commissioners.
- Attending the Commissioner Workshop presentation of our concerns. Presentation slides.
- Coming to the walk in the woods with Commissioner Mike Kuhn.
- Enjoyed our For the Love of Gretna party celebrating our natural surroundings.
- Signed up for our mailing list to stay informed.
- Written letters to the Lebanon County Commissioners letting them know what you think of the current forest management activities that are detrimental to the forest.
- Read our writeup that published by The Old Growth Forest Network Threatened Forest examples (scroll to “Pennsylvania” on the page.)
- Represented Friends of Governor Dick by attending the park Board of Directors response to our presentation to the Commissioners.
- Watched our response to the park board’s response at a Commissioner’s bi-weekly meeting.
- Reading our website.
- “Liking” us on Facebook.
Whew! We‘ve been busy, but our work is not finished!
Next Steps
- Scheduling a Wednesday Workshop session with the Commissioners featuring Joan Maloof, Professor Emeritus at Salisbury University, and Founder of The Old Growth Forest Network.
- In progress: Documentary film project – telling people’s experience with the park.
- Dedicated Friends of Governor Dick shelf at community library.
- Coordinate volunteers to work at the park via our liaison on the park trail advisory committee.
- Expand our social media presence- YouTube, Instagram, etc., and create content.
- Set up info table in a public area for outreach.
How you can help…
- Sign up for our mailing list if you haven’t already.
- Contact us with ideas on how to break through to the Commissioners and Park Board of Directors or if you would like to help with any of the actives we are planning.
- Read through historical accounts of advocacy compiled by the original Friends of Governor Dick.
- Read through historical information about Governor Dick Park compiled by the Lebanon County Commissioners.
- Help us make your voice heard!
See you on the trails!