The Lumber Heritage Region announces its 2007 grant round.
Since its designation in 2001, more than $1 million in grant funds have been awarded for projects within the 15 Counties of the LHR.
The Lumber Heritage Region is one of Pennsylvania’s 12 Heritage Areas, rising from a grassroots effort to tell the great stories of the lumbering era; to share the vast wealth of natural, cultural and historic resources in the 15-county region and to educate visitors and residents alike about the importance of the sustainable forest practices of today’s lumber industry
This year the LHR will be looking for grants that fulfill projects mentioned in the LHR Management Action Plan and more specifically, the LHR Interpretive Plan. Both of these plans can be accessed on their Web site.
The LHR funds two types of grants through the DCNR Heritage Areas Program:
A Special Purpose Study is a concentrated study or plan necessary to implement one or more of the recommendations of an approved Management Action Plan or which support the Heritage Area. These projects will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Examples of special purpose studies would be master plans, economic assessments, marketing plans, specialized inventories, archaeological surveys, preservation and interpretive plans, special feasibility studies and architectural designs.
Examples of previously funded studies:
— Feasibility study for elk and nature tourism
— Feasibility study for fostering competitiveness in North Central Pennsylvania’s forest products cluster
— Feasibility study for a nature tourism business incubator at the proposed Sinnamahoning Nature Visitor Center
— Feasibility Study for a beautification project on state Route 3011 byway in McKean County
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mplementation Projects are non-planning projects that implement recommendations of the Management Action Plan and Special Purpose Studies (i.e. the LHR Interpretive Plan). Eligible project activities would include the development, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation and acquisition of sites and buildings, interpretive/educational exhibits and materials, and promotional/marketing products.
Examples of previously funded implementation projects:
— Mural at Mount Jewett, Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau
— Acquisition/restoration of a 1917 Ford Runabout at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
— Building preservation and exhibit cost for Jefferson County History Center/LHR Visitor Center
— Elk viewing kiosk, Sinnemahoning State Park
— A series of interpretive signs in Ridgway
— A walking tour of Smethport
During this grant round, the LHR is targeting applications in your area that will support our Management Action Plan and the LHR Interpretive Plan completed in 2005. Proposals that include these suggestions will receive first priority. They are looking for applications that:
— Will support projects associated with the Interpretive Plan’s Top Multi-Site Itineraries. These are projects that would enhance the Pine Creek Gorge, the Elk Scenic Drive, and the West Branch Susquehanna River Water Trail Itineraries; tell the story of Sustainable Forestry, Old Growth, or Wetland Management. Projects associated with the other Interpretive Plan itineraries will also be considered. In Clearfield County, this could be projects that tie in with the CCC and logging/lumber history of Parker Dam and S.B. Elliott State Park areas, projects that span the headwaters region of the West Branch in addition to the West Branch Water Trail.
— Will produce packaged itineraries and products associated with those itineraries as listed in the Interpretive Plan, including the West Branch Susquehanna River Water Trail.
— Will preserve important parts of LHR history, be it structures, photographs, or stories. For example, perhaps there is an historic structure in your area that is on Preservation Pennsylvania’s “endangered” list. If you would like to find out what it would take to restore it, consider applying for a feasibility or special study grant.
A nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status can apply for the funds. The organization must have its place of business within the boundaries of the Lumber Heritage Region 15 counties listed on their Web site. This grant program is very competitive, and the grant round occurs only once a year.
A complete packet of information and application forms can be accessed on LHR’s Web site at or by contacting Executive Director Mike Wennin.