Anyone can sit back and talk about great things, but it takes a great person to actually do them. Mark Bodamer of Kittanning State Forest District saw the need for two programs, and took the initiative to start them. Bodamer started the Mercer County Woodland Owners’ Association during 1998. The group is comprised of conservation-minded public officials and landowners working together to promote healthy forestry practices. Bodamer came up with the idea, initiated the first meeting, and was the lead person during the organization stage. He got key professionals and VIP stewardship woodland owners involved in planning and organizing the association. The organization has grown to a stable membership of over 90 landowners and professionals. Each year, the group hosts six educational programs to help inform landowners about outstanding forestry practices.
Bodamer also took the lead in creating an ecology and conservation camp in the Kittanning State Forest District. He saw the McKeever Environmental Learning Center as an ideal place that isn’t used much during the summer. Bodamer worked with McKeever to establish the Forest Ecology and Conservation Camp in 1997. It is an effort to educate talented young leaders of tomorrow about forestry and conservation at an advanced academic level, and is offered every year for youths interested in forestry, conservation, habitats, and wildlife.
In September, Bodamer’s efforts were rewarded when he was singled out as one of nine first-ever DCNR Community Involvement Award winners. Awards were presented Sept. 13 at DCNR’s Managers’ Conference in State College.
Winners were nominated by their peers and selected from a field of nominees by a 13-member task force formed to foster cooperative DCNR efforts to encourage community involvement.
(This is one of a series highlighting DCNR Community Involvement Award winners)
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