Arcola Gets a Visit from the PA 'WoodMobile'

Arcola Intermediate School students experienced the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's WoodMobile, a traveling exhibit that is designed to enhance their understanding of the forest industry in Pennsylvania.

Students listened to the WoodMobile's instructor, Robert Jacques, discuss the history of Pennsylvania's forests in the context of historical events, learned how the forest industry has changed, as well hearing about the threats to the Commonwealth's trees - from insects to disease.

Arcola teacher Dana Prendergast explains how the WoodMobile visit connects to the science curriculum that the students are working on now.

"In our forestry unit, we study the characteristics of trees, the stratification and life zones within a forest, the habitats within a deciduous forest as well as how the leaves of a tree can be used to identify the tree.
"We also study how trees are one of our most valuable renewable resources in the state of Pennsylvania, helping out our economy by providing thousands of jobs for Pennsylvanians," Prendergast added.

The Pennsylvania WoodMobile is a project of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Hardwoods Development Council with the support of the state's hardwoods industry.

The WoodMobile is a traveling exhibit that provides information on the state's forest resources and forest products industry.

Patrons to the exhibit see how the forests of Pennsylvania have shaped the history of the state and nation, learn how today's forest differs from 100
years ago, touch the various hardwood species produced in Pennsylvania and see how deer impact today's forest.

They also learn about Pennsylvania's forest products industry, see how products are made, learn how the forest is managed in a sustainable fashion, and experience how common and unusual forest products touch our lives every
day.