Logging History in the The Shay locomotive engine

Pine Creek Valley contributed to the massive deforestation of mountains from the end of the 1800s through the 1920s. Tiadaghton Forest Shay Locomotive Engine Prior to railroad development log Resource Management Center

Switch-Back Railroad Model slides, splash dams, log rafts, and crib systems for sorting and storing

logs in the river were the norm.

Mountain Log Slide The richness of the Pine Creek Valley environment is shown in the interactive Flora and Fauna display, the 180 gallon fish tank stocked with native brook trout, and eight birds of prey taxidermy specimens.

The Shay locomotive engine model railroad depicts the switch-back railroads that were built on the Located just north of mountains above the towns of The replica of a log slide depicts For more information: Waterville, PA Cammal, , and Tiadaghton. how harvested trees were moved on State Route 44 The train brought logs down to the off the steep mountain sides early Richard D Hill saw mills located in the towns. Environmental Education Specialist in the historic in the Nineteenth Century. PA Department of Conservation and The logs were sawn into boards and The logs were dragged down the Natural Resources Pine Creek Valley rafted down Pine Creek to the slides by horses to temporary Tiadaghton State Forest Susquehanna and on to the cities of splash dams on the small creeks 10 Lower Pine Bottom Road Waterville, PA 17776 , , and feeding Pine Creek. Phone:570.753.5409 x 132

Delaware or loaded onto the Jersey In the spring of the year, when the Fax: 570.753.5782

Shore, Pine Creek and Buffalo E-mail: [email protected] water was high, the dams would be www.dcnr.state.pa.us railroad that ran to New York City opened or ‘splashed’ and the logs on a standard gauge railroad that ran were floated down Pine Creek to on what is now the Pine Creek Rail the Susquehanna River and on to Trail. the lumber mills of Williamsport.

Educational Resources The Tiadaghton Forest Resource Management Forestry Conservation

Center is a LEED certified building. Integrating locally obtained and recycled Each forest has a history. Not just a Richard Hill, the Environmental Education materials into the construction process, and biological history, but a history of Specialist at the Tiadaghton Forest passive solar and geothermal heating systems, those who had the vision to be good Resource Management Center, is available this state of the art building makes a reduced for historical and environmental walks and environmental impact compared to other stewards and conserve the forests for presentations at the center. He can also buildings of its size. generations to come. provide programming that meets the PA The building is the headquarters of the Department of Education Environment and Tiadaghton Forest District where the foresters, Whether for marketable timber, Ecology Standards. rangers, technicians, and other staff are based. wildlife habitat, recreation, or energy The RMC has several interpretive displays to resources, many people through the Rich taught Biology and General Science educate the public about Pennsylvania’s native flora and fauna and the history of forest centuries have been important to the for 22 years in the Williamsport Area This “tree cookie” is from a management from the 1800s through the conservation and responsible School District and earned his M.S. in hemlock estimated to be current century. Many of the displays are management of our forest resources. Forest Resources from Penn State in 2011. 325 years old interactive and provide learning opportunities He is the first Environmental Education for people of all ages. Specialist for the Pennsylvania Bureau of The Forest Heroes videos tell the Centrally located to the Pennsylvania Wilds, Forestry. The Tiadaghton foresters provide leadership stories of six conservation leaders. the public can view our interpretive displays on issues related to the management of the and acquire camping, fuel wood, or boat Through education, you too can be a He can develop lesson plans to meet the forest, trees, and native plants. They provide part of this rich heritage of launch permits. Recreational maps, as well as information about the conditions and status needs of a broad spectrum of ages and other information, are available at the conservationists for our Pennsylvania educational levels. He can also direct you of our forest resources to industry, Resource Management Center. academia, other government agencies, and forests! to media and publication resources to address environmental education conservation organizations. They prevent and suppress wildfires, manage destructive standards. insects, tree diseases, and invasive plant

species and provide leadership and technical Rich is a certified teacher facilitator for the assistance in conserving and managing Pennsylvania Songbirds, Leave No Trace private forest land. Foresters manage timber and Project WILD curriculum harvests complying with Forest Stewardship supplements. Council™ standards, protect the quality of the state’s water resources, and manage Please contact Richard Hill at natural gas activity within the state forest [email protected] or 570-753-5409 ext 132 system. Foresters monitor and maintain to schedule a presentation to supplement several primitive campsites, hiking trails, your curriculum at the Resource A rainbow viewed ATV trails, and miles of roads in our forest. Management Center or in school from the terrace of With over 155,000 acres of land there are classrooms. our natural roof endless recreation and educational opportunities.