Old-Growth Forest Ecology Outing — Saturday, October 10
Date: 10/10/2026Address: Cook Forest State Park
Time: 10:00 am — 4:00 pm
Join Adam Haritan for a full-day Old-Growth Forest Ecology Outing at Cook Forest State Park in Pennsylvania.
This outing offers a unique in-person opportunity to explore the rich ecology, natural history, and distinctive features of mature and old-growth forests. We’ll begin the day in a mature upland hardwood forest, then spend the afternoon exploring a magnificent old-growth conifer forest.
Along the way, we’ll examine the key characteristics of mature and old-growth forests while exploring a wide range of topics, including:
- The human-forest relationship
- What it means to belong to a place
- Tree identification
- Mushroom ecology and identification
- Geologic influences on forest development
- Ways to interpret forest history
- The ecological role of fire
- Common misconceptions about old-growth forests
- Opening to nature as a way of opening to life
- And much more
About Cook Forest
Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, Cook Forest State Park is home to one of the last remaining old-growth forests in the region. The park currently contains 11 designated old-growth areas totaling more than 2,300 acres.
One of these areas, the Forest Cathedral, arguably contains the finest concentration of old trees in the northeastern United States. This remarkable forest is home to dozens of towering eastern white pines and eastern hemlocks, many of which are more than 300 years old.
This outing is an opportunity to slow down, explore, ask questions, and learn alongside a great group of people in a truly spectacular forest.
Details
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026 (This is the same program that will be offered on October 11; choose one date.)
Where: Cook Forest State Park, Pennsylvania (Exact meeting location will be emailed to participants.)
Time: 10:00 am — 4:00 pm (We’ll take a break for lunch. Lunch is not provided.)
Cost: $125
The program is geared toward adults and will involve moderate hiking, approximately 2–3 miles throughout the day. To maximize the learning experience, space is limited. Advance registration and payment are required to secure your spot.
This event will take place rain or shine.
Refund Policy
Full refunds, less a 3% processing fee, are available for cancellations received 7 or more days before the scheduled start date of the program for which you registered. Cancellations received fewer than 7 days before the program’s scheduled start date are not eligible for a refund. If Learn Your Land must cancel the program due to circumstances beyond our control—for example, instructor illness or injury, or the death or serious illness of a member of the instructor’s immediate family—all payments will be refunded in full.
Lodging Options
If you plan to spend the night, several options are available. Camping is permitted in Cook Forest State Park at the Ridge Campground. Cabins can be booked through Cook Forest State Park or through several private entities. For hotel options, the nearest towns are Clarion (15.5 miles away) and Brookville (18.3 miles away).