Press release by Foundation for Sustainable Forests posted 6 April 2026
The forest is primarily composed of mixed hardwood tree species, and will be managed to promote overall resilience and diversity of forest ages and habitats. Photo by Foundation for Sustainable Forests.
282 acres of forested land in Erie County’s Washington Township have been conserved by the Foundation for Sustainable Forests (FSF), a 501(c)(3) charitable land trust in Spartansburg, PA.
Robert Crawford Memorial Forest, as it will be called, contains forest surrounding the headwaters of Conneautee Creek and Little Conneautee Creek, part of the greater French Creek watershed. Under the conservation protections, these lands will remain as sustainable working forests and cannot be subdivided, developed, or sold. Under FSF’s care, the property will be managed to maintain ecosystem health and resilience, and is open to the public for recreational activities such as hunting, hiking, and bird-watching.
Located north of Edinboro, the Robert Crawford Memorial Forest is an exceptional forest tract both for its size and condition. “The present health of the forest and rich diversity of species found within are a testament to the family’s careful stewardship of the property for over 60 years.” says Annie Maloney, FSF’s Executive Director. A former DCNR Erie County Service Forester, the late Tom Erdman, was instrumental in advising the family on the management of their forest for nearly 40 years; he introduced the family to FSF in 2021 as a potential partner in protecting the property’s natural character in perpetuity.
Earlier this year, the daughter of the property’s namesake, Susan Wellman, conveyed the property to FSF via charitable sale. The purchase was made possible with financial support by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.
The Foundation for Sustainable Forests looks forward to hosting a guided forestry walk at the Robert Crawford Memorial Forest on Saturday, September 19. Event details are available here: www.foundationforsustainableforests.org/events/
You can learn more about the history of Robert Crawford Memorial Forest and the family’s donation to FSF in our 2026 Spring Newsletter.
The mission of the Foundation for Sustainable Forests is to protect forested land and support forest livelihoods through practices that maintain the long-term health of the land. To date, FSF has conserved more than 4,250 acres of natural lands in Pennsylvania and New York; much of it is accessible to the public for recreational uses.
For more information, contact FSF directly at 814-694-5830 or info@forestsandpeople.org.
About Foundation for Sustainable Forests
The Foundation’s mission is to protect forested land and support forest livelihoods through practices that maintain the long-term health of the land.
As a nonprofit land trust, the Foundation for Sustainable Forests protects and stewards over 3,700 acres of working woodlands through direct ownership or a conservation easement with a forest management component. These lands serve the community in perpetuity- supporting the rural economy through sustainable forestry and providing critical services such as clean air and water, and recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy. As part of our commitment to the community, our properties remain on the tax rolls and support rural jobs in the sustainable timber and land stewardship industry.