March 2026
DCWOA Annual Conference – Saturday, March 14h 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Please join the Dauphin County Woodland Owners Association for its 13th Annual Conference on March 14th from 8:30 to 3:00 at the Dauphin County Ag and Resources Center located at 1451 Peters Mountain Rd., Dauphin, PA. The DCWOA has planned this day long conference titled “Forest Management for Health and Productivity” to provide private forest landowners with forest management strategies to promote sustainable forestry. Topics include pest and disease; timber management; invasive species control; timber stand improvement; and habitat management for wildlife and forest health issues. Speakers represent diverse forestry related professions including professional foresters, plant pathologists, botanists, entomologists, wildlife biologists and forest land managers.
Pre-registration is requested to assist us with conference planning. Conference registration is free and includes morning refreshments. If you would like to join us for lunch, $10.00 will be collected during morning registration. Your participation in this conference and other Dauphin County Woodland Owners Association Programs is greatly appreciated, and we hope to see you in March.
May 2026
DCWOA Service Day - date and time TBD
Please come out and join the Friends of Detweiler Park for a great day of hands-on educational activities that will aid in the identification of plants and animals. The day begins at 10:00 A.M. and ends at 3:00 P.M. You can enjoy time in the woods and meeting new friends at the same time. Along with this day of educational activities DCWOA has been asked to be an EXIBITOR. Now we don't want to disappoint anyone. If you had your heart set on a workday, we still have a plan for you. Perhaps you will consider manning our booth (for an hour or so) and sharing what DCWOA can mean to a landowner or interested party. The tent and set-up will be complete; we just need volunteers to help talk with folks and share the importance of what DCWOA can mean to them. We want to encourage attendees to join our association. Please show your support to DCWOA by coming out and joining the Friends of Detweiler Park for a great day of learning and fellowship through your attendance and or volunteering.
June 2026
Saturday, June 6th - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
DCWOA Annual Woods Walk
Please join the Dauphin County Woodland Owners Association for our Members Woods Walk on Saturday, June 6th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the property of Jay Megonell located at the corner of Pine Tree Avenue and Sleepy Hollow Road, Harrisburg (40.38838° N, 76.76519° W). Jay has been in the Forest Stewardship Program for over 10 years and has administered several forestry/wildlife activities. Most recently, Jay had his property enrolled in a conservation easement with Manada Conservancy. We will highlight and discuss his many different forestry projects and the details regarding his easement during our hike. This is a rain or shine event. Please wear appropriate attire and footwear for hiking through the woods.
A picnic lunch with refreshments will take place following the walk around 1:00. If you are attending, we recommend bringing a lawn chair, and the board asks that you contribute some type of dish/snack/refreshment to share. We request those who plan on attending to RSVP with Jay at jayjingo@comcast.net.
We look forward to seeing you next Saturday at Jays Stewardship Property in Fishing Creek Valley!
October 2026
Sunday, October 4th - 1:00 PM
10th Annual Statewide "Walk in Penn's Woods"
The Dauphin County Woodland Owners Association and Manada Conservancy will host a guided Walk inPenn’s Woods on Sunday, October 4, at two conserved properties near Piketown in Dauphin County.
The approximately two-mile walk will take participants through both a privately owned property protected by a Manada Conservancy conservation easement and Manada’s nearby Rohrer Tract, giving visitors an opportunity to see two different approaches to long-term land conservation and stewardship firsthand.
DCNR Service Forester Andy Brought will lead the walk and discussion, with topics including healthy forest management, wildlife habitat, invasive species control, creating and maintaining conservation easements, and government cost-share opportunities available to Pennsylvania woodland owners. Participants will also have an opportunity to learn more about how landowners, conservation organizations, and public agencies can work together to protect and improve privately owned forestland.
The event is part of the Annual Statewide Walk in Penn’s Woods, which brings Pennsylvanians together each fall to explore the Commonwealth’s forests and learn more about the people and practices that help sustain them.
The walk begins at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4. Participants should meet at the large parking lot at 7478 Appalachian Trail West, Harrisburg, PA a few minutes before the start. The event will be held rain or shine; sturdy shoes and comfortable hiking clothes are recommended.
Thursday, October 8th - 6:00 PM
DCWOA 23rd Annual Membership Meeting (election of officers & board, state of the organization, program) Social starting at 6:00 PM. Meeting at 7:00 PM. Dauphin County Conservation and Natural Resources building, Dauphin, PA
Our Keynote Speaker for the evening will be Audubon Forest Program Manager Josh Rittenhouse presenting “Forestry for the Birds”. His discussion will center around the significance of birds and their vital role in our ecosystems, while highlighting some rare and unique bird species we may encounter in our woodlands of southcentral Pennsylvania.
Saturday, October 10th - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join The Friends of Detweiler Park and the Dauphin County Woodland Owners Association for a Fall Work Day at Detweiler Park! Spend the day outdoors helping to further the park's habitat enhancement projects.
Ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required.
Bring water, bug spray, and a friend! Dress for the weather. Meet at the trailhead kiosk.
*Specific details that are required for some events will be communicated, as necessary. Please forward your e-mail address to DCWOA Treasurer Jon Miller, jlmillerfam@gmail.com if you have not already done so. USPS will be used when required.