{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Joyce Kilmer Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = Flickr - Nicholas T - Joyce Kilmer Natural Area (2).jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Laurel Run in Joyce Kilmer Natural Area. | image_size = | map = USA Pennsylvania | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Pennsylvania | map_width = | location = [[Union County, Pennsylvania|Union County]], [[Pennsylvania]] | nearest_town = [[Woodward, Pennsylvania|Woodward]] | coordinates = {{coord|40.8909|N|77.2675|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|77|acre}} | established = 1921 | named_for = [[Joyce Kilmer]] | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Joyce Kilmer Natural Area''' is a {{convert|77|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[protected area]] in [[Union County, Pennsylvania|Union County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is part of [[Bald Eagle State Forest]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Bald Eagle State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests/find-a-forest/bald-eagle/wild-natural-areas |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Fergus">{{Cite book |last=Fergus |first=Charles |title=Natural Pennsylvania: Exploring the State Forest Natural Areas |publisher=Stackpole Books |year=2002 |location=Mechanicsburg, PA |pages=101–103}}</ref>
== Description == The Natural Area protects a grove of [[Old-growth forest|old-growth]] [[Pinus strobus|white pine]] and [[Tsuga canadensis|hemlock]] trees.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-07-22 |title=Tall Timbers: Old-Growth Forests Survive PA's Heavily Logged Past |url=https://www.mcall.com/1997/07/22/tall-timbers-old-growth-forests-survive-pas-heavily-logged-past/ |access-date=2026-05-28 |website=The Morning Call |language=en-US}}</ref> The area was established in 1921 as one of the first protected forest zones in Pennsylvania, then known as Forest Monuments. It was named after poet [[Joyce Kilmer]], who wrote about the types of trees found in the Natural Area; this was done in honor of Kilmer's death at age 31 during [[World War I]] though he is not known to have personally visited the region.<ref name="Fergus" /> The area has received special attention from Pennsylvania governor [[Josh Shapiro]] as part of his program to grow the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Lexi |date=2024-04-19 |title=Shapiro Administration Highlights Opportunities in Conservation Jobs in Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps as 2024 Season Begins |url=https://bctv.mystagingwebsite.com/2024/04/19/shapiro-administration-highlights-opportunities-in-conservation-jobs-in-pennsylvania-outdoor-corps-as-2024-season-begins/ |access-date=2026-05-28 |website=BCTV |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Union County, Pennsylvania]]