MILFORD – The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has introduced its “Shop Local, Save Land Guide to Wood Products, Professionals and Resources.”

The 20-page guide contains lists of local wood products, wood products-related industries, services, and artisans, as well as educational resources regarding conservation and sustainability practices and green technology and marketing innovations.

The goal of the project is to facilitate establishment of a well-connected network of local wood products providers and industries, forest landowners, forestry professionals and the general public that is focused on the sustainability of healthy and economically productive forestlands.

According to a Penn State Cooperative Extension report, 12.5 million acres of Pennsylvania’s 17 million forested acres are privately owned. The majority of the Upper Delaware River Watershed’s forests are largely in the hands of local landowners.

Helping these private landowners maintain their lands in ways that are sustainable and economically viable is vital to conserving forests.

The Pike County Conservation District supported this educational effort by providing a $5,000 contribution toward the production of the guide. Copies of the WoodNet guide can be found at the District office or various venues throughout the region. It can also be viewed at shoplocalsaveland.com/SLSLWoodGuide09.pdf.

The Conservancy’s Shop Local, Save Land Guide to Wood Products joins its popular guide to farms and farm markets published earlier this summer.

Complimentary copies of the Shop Local, Save Land series of publications are being distributed through many shops, restaurants, lodging facilities, visitors centers and conservation organizations in the Upper Delaware region, or may be found at the Pennsylvania office of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, at 508 River Street, in Hawley.

For more information about the Delaware Highlands Conservancy visit www.delawarehighlands.org. For more information about the 2009 wood products or farm guides visit www.shoplocalsaveland.com.