A half-century ago the University of Pittsburgh Press published a landmark book about the wildlands and rural countryside of western Pennsylvania. Edwin Peterson's thoughtful prose and Thomas Jarrett's pioneering photographic documentary inspired a generation of conservationists who succeeded in preserving many of the special places the pair visited.

To mark the 50th anniversary of that book, this website www.pennswoodswest.com was launched in 2008. With permission from the University of Pittsburgh Press, the entire book is being digitized to be accessible online. The website will offer an exhibit of photos, maps, audio and multimedia that revisit the special natural areas and backroads, that Peterson and Jarrett explored 50 years ago.

The goal of this project is to provide a portal to the growing online network of nature lovers and outdoorspeople, educators and conservations, and anyone who wishes to work toward the protection of Penn's Woods West.

Please bookmark this page and watch as we grow a virtual community and environmental action network over the coming year. To contribute to the project or be placed on our email list, contact phil@philnorton.com. Any "news tips" for this site, or particularly biographical information about author and Pitt professor Edwin Peterson, or the whereabouts of his family would be greatly appreciated.