Our Pennsylvania Story
19
Lesson 7:
Our Farms and Forests
Our Forests
Our state has the right kind of climate and soil
for trees and forests to growwell. A forest is a
large area of land that is coveredwith trees.
Other smaller plants, wildflowers, and animals
live in the forest. More than one-half (1/2) of our
state is coveredwith forests.
Our state has set aside forest areas for people
to enjoy. Today, we have one national forest, 20
state forests, and 114 state parks. Everyone lives
within 25miles of a state park in our state.
Forests are important to the people of
Pennsylvania. Forests help to prevent
erosion
of
our soil. As treesmake food, they give off
oxygen
that we breathe. Forests provide natural beauty
and home to animals. People enjoy hiking,
picnicking, and taking pictures in a state park.
We get many products from trees. We get
lumber
from trees that are cut down. Lumber is
used in building homes and businesses. Wood
also is used tomake furniture. Wood can be
changed into other products, such as paper.
Fill-in Please:
1. A farm that produces vegetables and fruits is called a
.
2. Another name for a fruit farm is an
.
3. Howmuch of Pennsylvania is covered by forests?
4. Howmany state parks dowe have in Pennsylvania?
5. Identify three (3) ways our forests are important to us:
6. Identify three (3) kinds of wood products:
People can visit ourmany state
forests and parks all year.
