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WoodMobile educates 3rd graders on Pa. resources

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Pennsylvania Game Commission State Game Warden Matt Savinda shows an otter pelt to a group of Sheffield Elementary School third graders Tuesday during the Woodmobile program at Warren County Fairgrounds.

The WoodMobile paid a visit to Warren County on Tuesday.

Third-graders from all over Warren and Forest counties went to Warren County Fairgrounds for a day of education on local resources and local jobs.

The WoodMobile is a project of the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA).

“The Pennsylvania WoodMobile is a traveling exhibit that provides information on the state’s forest resource and the state’s forest products industry,” according to PDA. “Visitors to the exhibit will see how the forests of Pennsylvania have shaped the history of the state and nation, learn how today’s forest differs from 100 years ago, touch the various hardwood species produced in Pennsylvania, and use touchscreen technology to interact with various threats to the forests such as invasive insects and plants, diseases and white-tailed deer.”

“They will also learn about Pennsylvania’s forest products industry, see how products are made, learn how the forest is managed in a sustainable fashion, and experience how common and unusual forest products touch our lives every day,” according to PDA.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Lee Deeter, Drake Well educational outreach program manager, shows a piece of Marcellus shale to a group of Sheffield Elementary School third graders Tuesday during the Woodmobile program at Warren County Fairgrounds.

At the Fairgrounds, the WoodMobile was joined by the Drake Well MEETU (Mobile Energy Education Training Unit), and presenters from the Allegheny National Forest, Chapman State Park, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Kane Hardwood, the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group (AHUG), and others.

Woodmobile Coordinator Kevin Bedgood told students all about the history of Pennsylvania hardwood. He also talked about invasive species and stressed that students not move firewood.

“It’s ok to cut tress if you let more grow,” he said while talking about the many products that come out of local forests.

There were about 320 students at the event, representing Eisenhower Elementary School, Forest County schools, home schools, St. Joseph Catholic School, Sheffield Elementary School, Tidioute Community Charter School, Warren Area Elementary Center, and Youngsville Elementary Middle School.

As students moved from station to station, they were entertained by the sounds of EJ the DJ. At lunch time, food was provided by United Refining Company and Cochran & Zandi Lumber.

“It’s good for the third graders to see the resources in our area and the jobs associated with them,” Warren County School-to-Work Coordinator Jesse DeLoof said.

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