Forest Stewardship Plans

In Pennsylvania, a forest stewardship plan is a written, science-based guide for caring for woodlands over the long term. Developed by a qualified forestry professional — often a state-recognized forester, and sometimes in collaboration with arborists or other natural resource specialists — in consultation with the landowner, the plan inventories existing trees, soils, and wildlife habitat; identifies threats such as pests or invasive species; and lays out a timeline of recommended actions to maintain and improve forest health.

For communities like Mount Gretna, a stewardship plan provides more than just a “to-do list” for the woods — it’s a roadmap for sustaining the benefits our forest provides, from stormwater control to wildlife habitat.

Why They’re Essential

Stewardship plans provide structure and accountability. They turn good intentions into long-term action and make sure nothing slips through the cracks:

• Prevent piecemeal decline: Without a coordinated plan, small removals, invasive spread, and unmanaged impacts can quietly erode the canopy.

• Guide proactive care: Sets priorities for planting, regeneration, pruning, and invasive control before problems become costly or irreversible.

• Protect water and soil: Links woodland care with stormwater and source water protection, reducing runoff and stabilizing slopes.

• Maintain biodiversity: Encourages a diverse mix of native trees and understory plants to buffer against pests, disease, and climate stress.

• Extend tree longevity: Scheduled monitoring and maintenance help mature canopy trees live longer and remain healthier.

• Support climate resilience: Integrates practices and species choices suited to future climate conditions.

• Build community consensus: Provides a shared roadmap for residents, boards, and municipalities to make informed decisions together.

• Leverage funding opportunities: Strengthens eligibility for grants by showing that projects are part of a larger, strategic effort.

Stewardship Plans for Homeowners

Stewardship planning isn’t just for large tracts of woodland. Individual homeowners can also benefit from creating property-level plans tailored to their goals. A professional forester or ecological landscaper can:

• Inventory existing trees and understory.

• Identify invasive plants and recommend management strategies.

• Suggest native trees, shrubs, and groundcover to improve diversity.

• Provide a timeline for care — from pruning and planting to long-term monitoring.

Even on small lots, these plans can strengthen biodiversity, protect water quality, and contribute to the overall resilience of Mount Gretna’s connected woodland.

Examples at Different Scales

Stewardship isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re a homeowner, part of a small community, or managing a larger community landscape, planning can be tailored to fit the scale of the land.

• Homeowner Example: Simpson Residence (Mount Gretna, 0.5 acre)
  In 2023, a Level II Tree Inventory was completed for a half-acre lot in Mount Gretna. The plan documented tree composition, health, and management needs, providing practical recommendations for sustaining canopy health and diversity at a property scale.
  View Simpson's Urban Forest Assessment → 

• Community Example: Mount Gretna (≈25 acres of communal woodland)
  In 2024, Brandywine Urban Forest Management was asked to provide guidance on how Mount Gretna could begin coordinated woodland care. They recommended a Level I inventory for all Pennsylvania Chautauqua–owned woodlands. This proposal was not carried out, but it illustrates what a cost-effective, entry-level plan could look like: establishing a baseline for canopy health, invasive species management, and long-term planning.

View Mount Gretna Proposal →

• Municipal Example: Borough of Phoenixville (≈4.2 sq. miles)
  Phoenixville worked with Brandywine Urban Forest Management to create a comprehensive urban forest management plan. Their plan balances public street trees, canopy cover, stormwater benefits, and long-term resilience — showing how a Pennsylvania borough, though much larger than Mount Gretna, demonstrates what’s possible when a community commits to managing its trees with professional guidance.
  View Phoenixville’s Urban Forest Assessment →

Funding as a Benefit of Planning

A forest stewardship plan is first and foremost a guide for caring for woodlands. But when larger landowners hold such plans, they also strengthen the case for outside support. State and federal grant programs often look for evidence that projects are guided by professional planning before awarding funds.

In practice, this means that in Mount Gretna, only the Pennsylvania Chautauqua — with its larger, contiguous holdings — would realistically qualify for many of these programs.

Examples of relevant funding sources include:

• Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2): Administered by DCNR, funds land acquisition, habitat improvement, and planning.

• DCNR Community & Watershed Forestry Program: Supports tree planting, invasive control, and forest health work.

• USDA Urban & Community Forestry Grants: Provide resources for urban-edge communities like Mount Gretna.

Individual homeowners wouldn’t normally pursue these grants, since their parcels are too small — but their actions still matter. Local care on private lots complements larger-scale efforts and helps keep the community forest resilient.

From Plans to Action

By starting with a unified plan, Mount Gretna could move from reactive tree work toward a community-wide vision for forest health — turning knowledge into long-term resilience.