South Mountain’s history provides a conservation model for the rest of the nation, and an example of what we might use in confronting 21^st Century environmental problems. During America’s Progressive Era, 1890-1917, citizens were instrumental in conserving their local forests. Much of the initial work occurred on South Mountain’s State Forest Commission’s reserve. Concerned citizens in organizations like Pennsylvania State Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Pennsylvania Forest Association lobbied for the funds for the Commission to reforest South Mountain, to create a school to train professional foresters, and to establish the Commonwealth’s state parks system. Dr. Susan Rimby’s lecture recounted the story of Pennsylvania’s early conservation history. Following the lecture, Dr. Rimby was joined by Scott Weidensaul (Ned Smith Nature Center) and Dan Marcucci (East Carolina University) for a discussion on current conservation issues.