Written by Annie Maloney, Foundation for Sustainable Forests, in collaboration with Susan Wellman, Robert Crawford's daughter.
Robert Crawford liked to think of himself as a farmer. Although he built a career as a successful businessman, he was also a proud yet humble steward of nearly 300 acres of forested land in northwestern Pennsylvania, including a Christmas tree farm that he mostly planted himself.
Originally from Minnesota, Robert and his wife, Barbara, moved to Pennsylvania in 1946, first to southwestern Pennsylvania and several years later to Erie. He was an avid hunter, mostly of small game.
Seeking a piece of Penn's Woods for him and his family to enjoy, he purchased a tract of mostly forested land with an old farmhouse north of Edinboro in 1959.
Robert purchased the property when he was still active in his career, so he would come out to the land when he could to walk the trails, maintain them, and work on other projects in the woods. He used the old farmhouse as a basecamp.
Every Christmas, the Crawfords would host a party for family and friends at the farmhouse. Robert and Barbara would let their guests pick out their own Christmas tree to take home.
These details are being shared with Guy Dunkle and me by Susan Wellman, one of Robert's two daughters, as we sit in her home on this same property.
Susan was 15 years old when her father purchased it. In partnership with Susan, the Foundation for Sustainable Forests (FSF) acquired and conserved 282 acres of forest in February.
At her request, the site has been named "Robert Crawford Memorial Forest" in loving memory of her father.
This property will be stewarded using FSF's ecological forestry approach, and is accessible to the public for recreational uses such as hiking, hunting, and bird-watching.
During much of Robert's tenure of ownership, Tom Erdman, a Service Forester for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for 38 years and good friend to FSF, was an important partner in stewardship on the property.
According to Susan, the two met during Tom's first year on the job in the late 1970's, and became good friends.
Over the years, they completed several habitat improvement projects on the property, including small clearcuts to support early successional species.
As Robert moved closer to retirement, he was able to come out to the property more often.
Eventually, around the late 1970's, he and his wife built a home and moved to the property full time.
At the same time, Susan and her husband, Cyrus, built their home on the other side of the road, and the old farmhouse was razed with the help of a training exercise by local firefighters.
Like his father-in-law, Cyrus also loved the woods and spent a lot of time in them.
By the time he was in his 80's, Robert had lost much of his eyesight but still enjoyed being out on the property.
He would ask Susan to take him out to the woods in a small car.
She recalls how "he knew every inch of the farm", talking her through the directions and using trees that he could not see as landmarks to guide her.
As they rolled along, Robert would ask "What do you see?", "What do you hear?".
He tried valiantly, but in vain, to teach her the names of all of the trees.
Susan smiles as she shares this, and adds that it was later in her life, in retirement, that she came to discover "the magic and mystery of these woods."
After Robert's passing, Cyrus became the primary steward of the land, with continued mentorship and assistance from Tom Erdman.
Thinking about the forest's future, it was Tom who encouraged Cyrus and Susan to learn more about the Foundation for Sustainable Forests and its mission.
As they began to explore their options, the conservation conversation with FSF began.
After both Cyrus and Tom passed away in 2022, Susan wanted to see their vision of conserving the land become reality and reignited the conversation, culminating in the protection of the property via charitable sale in February.
This spring, FSF began its tenure as stewards of this forest.
A "worst-first" thinning led by Guy Dunkle is currently underway, with thanks to the skilled work of loggers Reuben R Miller of Atlantic, PA and Daniel M Byler of Cochranton, PA and their horse teams.
I hope you will join me in thanking Susan Wellman and her family for their inspirational vision and impactful partnership to conserve the Robert Crawford Memorial Forest.
Later this year, FSF is offering a couple of ways for you to connect with this place.
About The Foundation
The Foundation protects and stewards over 3,700 acres of working woodlands in Northwest PA through direct ownership or a conservation easement with a forest management component.
These lands serve the community in perpetuity- supporting the rural economy through sustainable forestry and providing critical services such as clean air and water, and recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy.
As part of our commitment to the community, our properties remain on the tax rolls and support rural jobs in the sustainable timber and land stewardship industry.
Upcoming Events
-- August 21: Jim Finley Stewardship Day - Robert Crawford Memorial Forest
-- September 19: Robert Crawford Memorial Forest Working Forest Walk
-- August 11: Erie County Gives Event - Consider supporting the Foundation
-- August 19-21: Crawford County Gives Event - Consider supporting the Foundation
-- September 18: Annual Foundation Dinner, Conneaut Lake, Crawford County
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Foundation For Sustainable Forests website. Click Here to sign up for updates (top of page). Click Here to support their work.
(Photo: Robert Crawford, axe in hand, stands on Old State Road north of Edinboro, Pa circa 1960.)
Related Articles This Week:
-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land - Landowners Tell Their Stories: Remembering Working Forest Landowner Robert Crawford [PaEN]
-- Western PA Conservancy Easement Protects More Farmland, Forestland In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension Hosts 5-Part Woodland Stewardship - Guided Engagement With Your Land Webinar Series Beginning Sept. 23 [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Morning Call: 11 Lehigh County Farms Slated To Be Saved From Development
-- Centre Daily Times - Mark Nale - Afield: Why It May Be Time To Rethink Lawn Care, Sizes In Pennsylvania
[Posted: July 28, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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