Depletion of Natural Resources Pinchot State Forest was formed in response to the depletion of the forests of Pennsylvania during the mid-to-late 19th century. Conservationists like Dr.
Joseph Rothrock feared that the forests would not regrow if they were not managed properly. Lumber and Iron companies had harvested the
old-growth forests on a massive scale. They
clear cut the forests and left behind nothing but dried tree tops and rotting stumps. The sparks of passing
steam locomotives ignited
wildfires that prevented the formation of
second growth forests. Conservationists feared that the forest would never regrow if there was not a change in the philosophy of forest management. They called for the state to purchase land from the lumber and iron companies and the lumber and iron companies were more than willing to sell their land since that had depleted the natural resources of the forests.
Legislative Response A change began in 1895 when Dr. Rothrock was appointed the first commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, the forerunner of today's
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The
Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation in 1897 that authorized the purchase of "unseated lands for forest reservations." This was the beginning of the State Forest system. ==Gallery==