Lumber Heritage Region Grants Available

Pennsylvania's Lumber Heritage Region, a 15-county area headquartered in Emporium, has announced its 2007 grant structure.

Applications will be considered in two categories: special purpose study or implementation project.

In previous rounds, special purpose study grants have been awarded for feasibility studies centered on elk and nature tourism, on fostering competition in the forest products industry, on a nature tourism business incubator at the proposed Sinnemahoning Nature Visitor Center and others.

Implementation projects include the development, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation and acquisition of sites and buildings; interpretive/educational exhibits and materials, and promotional/marketing products.

Among examples are the large mural along Rt. 6 in Mt. Jewett, acquisition and restoration of a 1917 Ford Runabout at the Pa. Lumber Museum, an elk viewing kiosk at Sinnemahoning State Park, interpretive signs in Ridgway and others.

Grants can also support multi-site itineraries and projects that preserve important parts of the region's history (structures, photographs, or stories).

The Lumber Heritage Region was formed to tell the great stories of the lumbering era; to share the vast wealth of natural, cultural and historic resources, and to educate the public on the importance of the sustainable forest practices.

Since the region was designated in 2001, more than $1 million has been awarded.

More information is available at the website, www.lumberheritage.org,