Bats and Regulations in Forest Management, and Overview of PNHP

Kane, Pa. – The April 9, 2026 Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum is pleased to announce they will host two speakers from the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC).  Richard Novak from the USFWS will speak about bats and current regulations in forest management in Pennsylvania.  Mike Kuzemchak from the WPC will provide an overview of the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP).  In addition, Jonathan Geyer will provide additional market updates and industry comments from the PA Hardwoods Development Council. 

Richard Novak is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist within the Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office of the USFWS station in State College.  Richard works in the Endangered Species section of the Ecological Services program.  He conducts Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations, has key roles in species status assessments, works closely with agency partners in conservation, and shares conservation with the public through outreach. 

Richard holds a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and M.S. in Ecology from The Pennsylvania State University, where his studies focused on aquatic animals such as fish and freshwater turtles.  During his time at Penn State, he worked for three years in a forestry research lab on dendrochronology studies, forest inventories, and invasive species management projects.  Richard has been working at the State College station since 2019.

Richard is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys all outdoor pursuits including hunting, trapping, archery, fishing, and other activities.  The appreciation for living things and our natural resources that he has developed through these lifelong passions led him to a career in natural resource science.  While his background in in aquatic conservation, his role at the USFWS has given him the opportunity to learn about bats and work to conserve them in his job.  He finds great satisfaction in helping partners in the public and agencies navigate the complexity of ESA regulations so that conservation is delivered for all.

Mike Kuzemchak, Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations for the WPC has oversight of the Conservancy’s public policy work, conservation science and natural heritage programs, and provides direction for sustainability initiatives across WPC offices.  Mike previously worked as the director of operations at WPC’s Fallingwater, director of operation of land conservation, and in other land protection roles with WPC before accepting his current role.  Much of his land conservation work centered in the Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania.

Mike holds a M.S. in Environmental Planning and a B.S. in secondary English Education, both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

This Forum on bats, habitat, and the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program will be of interest to land managers, biologists, and conservationists. 

Society of American Foresters’ Continuing Forestry Education credits will be applied for this presentation. 

The Forum will be held at the Wilcox Community Building (also called the Jones Township Community Center) at 320 Faries St, downtown Wilcox, Pa. 15870.  Preceding the talk will be a no-host social hour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and dinner at 5:30 p.m.  The program will start immediately after dinner.  Reservations are required!  No reservations will be accepted after Thursday, April 2.   For reservations, contact the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, PO Box 133, Kane, Pa., 16735, at 814-837-8550, or e-mail ashields@ahug.com.