General Position

• White's Woods Nature Center (WWNC) was purchased with Project 70 funds, intended for recreation, conservation, and historical preservation. Selective timbering or the creation of a working forest is inconsistent with the stated purposes of Project 70 funds.

• In 1995 the voters of White Township were surveyed regarding their desire to commercially/selectively timber WWNC.  Township residents overwhelming declared their opposition to commercial/selective timbering.  (62% opposed, 31% for timbering, 7% no opinion).  The concept of commercial/selective timbering was also opposed when survey data was collected in 2007-08.  In 2020, a higher percentage of those surveyed than ever before opposed commercial and/or selective timbering in the WWNC (98%).  Citizens were surveyed once again in 2022 and, once again, overwhelmingly indicated that the WWNC should remain a natural area.  No timbering.

• DCNR is clear that public input is an essential part of land management.

• All management decisions in White's Woods should be rooted in public input.  To this end, FWW commends the Township for establishing the White's Woods Stewardship Committee.  Likewise, the 2023 Draft White's Woods Stewardship Plan recommendation that future management be guided by a Stewards Committee that includes FWW and other local conservation groups is a very important, positive step for ensuring the future of our Nature Center.

• The Township should enroll the WWNC on the Old Growth Forest Network, an organization that is working to preserve at least one forest in every county in the U.S. so that it may mature into old growth.  Less that 1% of eastern U.S. forests are now old growth.

 

Legal Considerations:

• Project 70 funds were used to purchase WWNC.  “Under the act, no lands acquired pursuant to the act may be disposed of or used for purposes other than for recreation, conservation and historical purposes without the express approval of the General Assembly.”

 

Conservation Considerations:

• Ongoing care for White's Woods should rely on public input!

• Natural area consultants, such as forest ecologists, plant biologists, ornithologists, and other natural area specialists should be the go-to experts for advice on managing the White's Woods Nature Center.

• Destructive or pernicious management of WWNC is not compatible with the intended uses of the WWNC. 

• It is prudent to have a management plan for WWNC.  FWW endorses a science-based management plan that keeps the WWNC in its natural state and respects the process of natural succession.

 

Financial Considerations:

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• WWNC is worth far more to White Township and Indiana Borough as a natural area than it is as a timber farm. White’s Woods Nature Center is a true boon to the community. It is helpful in attracting, and retaining, people and businesses to the township and Indiana borough. It provides relatively untouched green space directly adjacent to the largest town and the county seat of Indiana County. 

• Access to this wonderful natural area has the potential to contribute to Indiana’s economic grown by enhancing the likelihood that: 

  • Working-age households remain in the community and commute into the Pittsburgh metro area, rather than relocate closer to work.

  • Work-from-home individuals remain in the community rather than relocate elsewhere.

  • Retired households stay in the community rather than relocate elsewhere.

  • Soon-to-retire or retired households originally from the community, but who left to take work elsewhere, return to the community for their retirement.

  • Businesses stay or relocate here to provide access to the outdoor recreation opportunities that their employees demand.

• Time spent in nature significantly reduces health care costs in a community.

 

Environmental/Residential Considerations:

• Preservation of forests is one of the most important steps for mitigating climate change.  Mature forests absorb and store much higher levels of carbon than younger forests.

• Preservation of forests is key to protecting air and water quality in the Indiana area

• Increased and significant water run-off from timbering results in damage to both borough and township properties and affects groundwater drainage systems..

• Decrease of property values of homes within walking distance of the park.

• Potential disruption of the relative calm of many borough and township neighborhoods and damage to roads if significant active management were to be introduced into the Nature Center.

 

Recreation Considerations:

• WWNC meets DCNR’s priority of providing natural space within 10 minutes of all residential areas.

• WWNC is perfect for walking, birdwatching, running, and cycling, the favorite outdoor recreation activities for Pennsylvania outdoor enthusiasts.

• WWNC offers passive recreation opportunities for people of all ages and physical abilities.

 

 

Future Plans:

 

FWW strongly believes that the WWNC should be kept as a natural area and that a comprehensive, evidence-based park management plan be developed by experts in conservation, forest ecology, park management, recreation, biology, hydrology, and the input from all of the park’s stakeholders, including Indiana Borough and those of us who frequent its trails each day.

 

We need a plan that is collectively developed by all relevant experts and invested stakeholders.  This plan should be updated regularly and, along with stakeholder input, guide further management of this natural area park.

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Enroll White's Woods in the Old Growth Forest Network!