If you like beer, you should love forests.
However, many of our forests are threatened by development, catastrophic fires, poor management, non-native pests and a changing climate. As a result, beer's main ingredient could be at risk.
Fall is when Pennsylvania really shines: colorful leaves, brisk and sunny days, trees dripping with apples. This year, The Nature Conservancy and Tröegs Independent Brewery are marking the season with OktoberForest, a collaboration between the world’s largest conservation organization and independent brewers in more than 30 states—all raising awareness about the important role that forests play in a healthy water supply … and good beer.
FIVE FOREST FACTS
- The U.S. is home to the world’s oldest, tallest, and most massive trees.
- U.S. forests are the source for more than half of our nation’s water.
- U.S. forests generate more than $13 billion in income for businesses and communities.
- U.S. forests provide a million square miles of outdoor recreation space.
- Beer is 95 percent water.
TNC works to protect and restore key forestlands and water resources in Pennsylvania. To date, we’ve worked with partners to conserve 99,000 acres of forestland around the state. We plan to achieve more through our Working Woodlands program, which engages private landowners in sustainably managing productive forestlands to benefit wildlife and people. But there’s more to do, and we can’t do it without your support!
Founded in Pennsylvania in 1996 by brothers John and Chris Trogner, Tröegs Independent Brewing is driven by a sense of adventure and curiosity. From the beginning, the brewery has been built by family, friends and kindred spirits who share a love of great beer.
Resistant to fit into any specific category, the folks at Tröegs take bits and pieces from English ale, German lager and other traditions to explore and develop new varieties of great-tasting beer. This creativity has resulted in widely known and award-winning beers like Perpetual IPA, Troegenator, Nugget Nectar and Mad Elf, as well as their experimental Scratch Series.
Bringing their beers and homemade snacks to life involves securing local ingredients from producers who become business associates and also friends. As Central Pennsylvania natives, Chris and John Trogner endeavor to make a positive impact by supporting local vendors, producers and causes they believe will collectively help the region to flourish. They pursue these relationships from their little corner of the beer world in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This brewery of their dreams, a place they refer to as a “wayward home for the perpetually curious,” now attracts more than half a million people from around the world each year.
Celebrate With Us!
Join TNC and Tröegs during the month of “Oktober” to celebrate and showcase the important connection between healthy forests, clean water and great beer. This year marks the launch of this exciting new partnership dedicated to promoting conservation efforts that are key to ensuring that Pennsylvania’s forests can store and filter water flowing into Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers, and eventually, our communities. You can help us achieve our goals in the following ways:
- VISIT our OktoberForest table at the Harvest Hopfest on October 7th.
- CHECK IN to learn about events, workdays, nature outings and beer tastings dedicated to spreading this important message.
- TEXT “TREES” to 50555 to donate $5 for TNC’s forest and water conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
- WATCH a one-minute video highlighting the connections between healthy forests, water and beer.
- POST your favorite forest and brewery photos to Twitter and Facebook at #OktoberForest.
- TALK to your favorite brewer about a forest’s role in making beer and invite them to participate in OktoberForest next year!
Working Woodlands
Launched right here in Pennsylvania, The Nature Conservancy's Working Woodlands program engages landowners in managing forests to benefit nature and people.