Kittanning Forest District

HARRISBURG, PA

On behalf of Gov. Tom Ridge, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Executive Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry John Plonski recently announced the appointment of a new district forester of the Kittanning State Forest District in Western Pennsylvania.

Wallace "Herb" Landes, a former assistant district forester, will oversee Bureau of Forestry operations in a district that includes eight counties. Included in that district is the 13,300-acre Clear Creek State Forest in Jefferson, Forest and Venango counties.

"Herb has long been a valuable asset to the state forest system," Plonski said. "His years of experience in forestry will enable him to do the best possible job as district forester."

Landes will oversee operations throughout the Kittanning Forest District, including forest growth management, personnel coordination, infrastructure maintenance, and fire prevention and suppression. He also will manage five service foresters who provide support, direction and technical assistance to private forest landowners.