On June 26, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the appointment of Jason Hall as district forester of the Buchanan State Forest District, based in Fulton County.
“Interwoven in Jason’s 18 years of service with the bureau is a rich blend of managerial talents that saw him shine, regardless of the post,” Dunn said. “His command of forestry topics and public relations skills all equate to solid future leadership for the Buchanan State Forest District.”
Hall will transition into his new post over the next several weeks, overseeing a district headquartered in McConnellsburg, Fulton County, that includes Franklin, Fulton, and Bedford counties. State forestland within the district totals 71,683 acres and features three Wild and Natural Areas. With its panoramic views, over 206 miles of trails, and Tuscarora and Tussey mountain adventures, Buchanan draws legions of outdoors enthusiasts through all seasons.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get back into the field to be able to more directly connect with and manage the state forest,” Hall said. “I’m also hoping to be able to use my experience working in the bureau’s Harrisburg headquarters to help foster positive and productive relationships with the Buchanan Forest District’s constituents in order to help carry our bureau’s mission forward.”
A native of Mechanicsburg, Hall graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Science in 1999. He began his career in the Bureau of Forestry in 2000 as a service forester in the Gallitzin State Forest District, Cambria County. In 2003, Hall transferred to the Division of Operations and Recreation in Harrisburg, where he worked nine years as a Forest Program Specialist. Hall has spent the last six years as the Forest Program Manager for the Recreation Section.
Hall’s many areas of responsibility have included state forest leased camps, and Forest Land Beautification, Pennsylvania Conservation Corp, and Ranger programs. He has served as Bureau of Forestry Safety Coordinator and recreational specialist for seven different forest districts.
The new district forester will oversee forest-growth management, personnel coordination, infrastructure maintenance, recreation, and fire prevention and suppression at Buchanan. He also will manage service foresters who provide support, direction and technical assistance to private forest landowners. Hall, 43, succeeds Jim Smith, who in retired in 2017.
Click here for more information on Buchanan and Pennsylvania’s 19 other state forest districts.
