Small business owner makes massive impact after starting forest preservation foundation with late wife: 'Patience, humility, and a unique long-term view'
A business owner and nonprofit founder is working to preserve Pennsylvania's forests tree by tree. By buying up forested land and engaging in sustainable logging practices, he's already helped save several thousand acres.
Troy Firth has proven his commitment to forest preservation for more than 50 years. Since 1971, he's owned and managed Firth Maple Products, located in the northwest part of the state and relying on forests to produce lumber and maple syrup.
He founded the Foundation for Sustainable Forests in 2004 with his late wife, Lynn. The nonprofit operates as a land trust, protecting more than 3,700 acres of Pennsylvania woods via direct ownership and conservation easements, according to the foundation.
"The mission is to keep forested land forested," Firth told Lancaster Farming, a regional farm newspaper for the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. "That's why the foundation exists."
Both the nonprofit and the business practice sustainable logging methods, including horse logging. Firth Maple Products says this causes less damage to the forests than modern machinery, preventing soil compaction, erosion, and harm to tree roots lying just beneath the topsoil.
The benefits of preserving forests are clear, chief among them a healthier environment for humans. Not only do trees help purify the air by absorbing heat-trapping carbon dioxide, producing oxygen as well, but they're also the source of many medicines on the market.
There's yet another way in which protecting forests can help safeguard health across species. Since woodlands serve as important habitats for animals that might otherwise be forced into dangerous proximity with human activity, preserving these ecosystems can help reduce dangerous human-wildlife interactions that can cause injuries and spread disease.
The recipient of the 2024 Leopold Conservation Award, Firth has long been recognized for his work in forestry and conservation. Previously, he has received the Pennsylvania Tree Farmer of the Year Award, the Forest Conservation Stewardship Award, and numerous other honors, per the nonprofit WeConservePA.
Firth's influence and impact on Pennsylvania's forestry industry are evident in how his peers and colleagues talk about him.
"Troy has taught me to truly think about what 'perpetuity' means to a piece of land," Annie Socci, the foundation's executive director, told WeConservePA.
Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty?
Definitely
Only in some areas
No way
I'm not sure
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
"The lifespan of a forest, if cared for, is far greater than any of us. In the woods, Troy thinks and manages on a time scale that matches that of both the forest ecosystem and the Foundation for Sustainable Forests as an organization. To do so takes patience, humility, and a unique long-term view."
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Associated Press
Class Valuation launches next-generation appraisal review solution designed to enhance compliance and reduce repurchase risk
TROY, Mich., June 18, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today the launch of Class Valuation Analysis (CVA), a next-generation appraisal review solution engineered to bring greater transparency, compliance and confidence to residential property valuations. CVA delivers a comprehensive review of original appraisal reports that complies with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Each review is conducted by a licensed appraiser who analyzes the original report, leverages analyst-assisted automated valuation model (AVM) tools, and provides supplemental comparables or revised valuations as needed. As the largest valuation provider in the nation, Class Valuation is committed to delivering best-in-class, customized solutions that meet the evolving needs of its partners. CVA was developed to provide capital market and lender clients with a direct, trusted source for appraisal reviews, eliminating the need to rely on third-party vendors. 'In today's market, uncertainty is expensive, and lenders can't afford to second-guess their valuation data,' said John Fraas, CEO of Class Valuation. 'Class Valuation Analysis delivers what our partners need most—clarity, confidence and compliance—especially when making high-stakes trading decisions tied to mortgage servicing rights. By combining licensed expertise, AVM-backed analysis and actionable reporting, CVA helps our clients validate collateral quality and mitigate risk across the loan lifecycle.' Lenders can use CVA at multiple stages of the loan lifecycle, including forensic appraisal reviews, internal control audits, construction validation and even for GSE post-board evaluations. With rapid turnaround times, detailed compliance checks and supplemental comparables where needed, CVA ensures that each report not only holds up under scrutiny but actively strengthens decision-making processes. Each CVA review includes: CVA is Rating Agency Accepted, which meets the due diligence and appraisal review standards expected by leading credit rating agencies. This designation gives lenders confidence that each review aligns with the requirements of secondary market participants and institutional investors. CVA offers a streamlined alternative to a full review, delivering timely, USPAP-compliant reviews that help lenders manage risk and maintain loan quality. To learn more about CVA and how it can support the lending process, visit About Class Valuation: Class Valuation is a leading nationwide appraisal management company (AMC) renowned for its commitment to fast turn times, exceptional quality and unparalleled client service. The company leverages a powerful combination of skilled professionals, innovative products, streamlined processes and advanced technology to empower lenders in fulfilling homeownership dreams. Consistently recognized by top mortgage lenders for its outstanding performance, Class Valuation has also earned accolades as a top workplace and received numerous industry awards. Founded in 2009, Class Valuation is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. For more information please visit Tags: @ClassValuation #CVA #appraisal #valuation #lending #duediligence NEWS SOURCE: Class Valuation ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Elizabeth Schroeder Depth for Class Valuation [email protected] 209-774-6555 ### Keywords: Real Estate, Class Valuation Analysis, real estate appraisal management company, forensic appraisal reviews, internal control audits, construction validation, TROY, Mich. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Class Valuation) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127059 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Troy C. Smith Named Host and Emcee for 2025 Central Florida Business Expo
Lakeland, Fl , June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Central Florida Business Expo is thrilled to announce Troy C. Smith as the official host and emcee for the 2025 event, taking place on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL. Troy C. Smith Announced as 2025 Central Florida Business Expo Host and Emcee A Servant Leadership Coach, TEDx Speaker, and author of Value-Driven Leadership, Troy brings unmatched passion, energy, and inspiration to stages across the country. At this year's Expo, he will guide attendees through a full day of connection, collaboration, and content—from high-impact keynote speakers to educational breakout sessions and the dynamic exhibit hall experience. Known for his powerful personal journey from high school dropout in the Bronx to becoming GEICO's #1 Sales Manager nationwide, Troy now leads Hope Inspirational Speaking LLC, helping individuals and teams live with greater intention through his signature 'HOPE' philosophy: Helping Other People Excel. As host of the Expo, Troy will: Kick off the day with an interactive, mindset-shifting activity designed to set the tone for purposeful engagement Introduce keynote speakers with his signature blend of humor, heart, and insight Keep the momentum strong throughout the day, energizing the audience and reinforcing the Expo's central theme of growth through purpose and connection 'I'm honored to serve as host for the 2025 Central Florida Business Expo,' Smith said. 'This event isn't just about business—it's about people. It's about creating an environment where entrepreneurs, leaders, and visionaries can come together to grow, be inspired, and walk away with renewed hope and purpose.' Chrissanne Long, Expo Organizer and Co-Owner of Maximize Digital Media, shared her excitement about bringing Troy's energy and leadership to the stage. 'Troy is a force of nature—in the best way. His ability to connect with people, ignite purpose, and create space for transformation is exactly what makes him the perfect emcee for this year's Expo. He's going to elevate every moment of the day.' The Central Florida Business Expo, hosted by the City of Lakeland, will once again gather entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and corporate professionals for a day filled with practical tools, meaningful conversations, and high-level learning opportunities. For more information on the Expo, visit Central Florida Business Expo Logo About Central Florida Business Expo Central Florida Business Events, LLC is dedicated to producing high-impact events that connect, equip, and elevate the region's business community. Through strategic partnerships and purpose-driven programming, the company curates dynamic experiences that foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and nonprofit professionals across Central Florida. Its signature event, the Central Florida Business Expo, is now in its second year and will take place on September 24, 2025, at the RP Funding Center, hosted in partnership with the City of Lakeland. Press inquiries Central Florida Business Expo Chrissanne Long events@ 863-333-9315 303 S. Florida AveLakeland, FL 33801 A video accompanying this announcement is available at: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
04-06-2025
- Associated Press
Troy Minerals Reports Drilling Results from the Lake Owen Project, Wyoming
Show 240.73 meters of Critical Metal Mineralization, Iron, Titanium, Vanadium, Scandium and Gallium VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 4, 2025 / Troy Minerals Inc. ('Troy' or the 'Company') (CSE:TROY)(OTCQB:TROYF)(FSE:VJ3) is pleased to announce that complete results from Hole LO24-01 show strong critical metal mineralization over continuous 240.73 meters (from 10.67 meters to 251.40 meters) from its maiden drilling program on its 100% owned Lake Owen Project (the 'Project'), located 50 km southwest of Laramie, Wyoming, USA (see Figures 1,2). The Project is a Proterozoic layered mafic intrusion complex historically explored for Platinum Group Elements (PGE). Similar to the Stillwater Complex in the USA and the Merensky Reef of South Africa, the Lake Owen Complex shows strong potential for vanadium, titanium, PGE, and associated metals. In late 2024, the Company drilled two diamond holes totaling 607.77 meters near the southwestern claims' boundary (see Figure 3), marking Troy Minerals' first drill holes on the Project. These holes targeted titanium (TiO2) and vanadium (V2O5) mineralization linked with magnetite in gabbro, as well as reef-style PGE mineralization (see Company News Release dated February 28, 2025). A first pass of selective sampling of the drill holes had been carried out and demonstrated presence of anomalous titanium and vanadium mineralization. Elevated values of vanadium are correlative with the titanium. Sampling was selected to assess various lithological units and all zones with magnetite content up to 15-20% and/or visible sulfide mineralization. Magnetite content in the gabbro in hole LO24-01 is consistently about 5-10%. In LO24-01, the initially limited sampling suggested a large zone of titanium and vanadium-enrichment and higher relative values correlate well with the green gabbro. Associated with these anomalous zones have been elevated concentrations of scandium. Based on these initial results, additional infill sampling through all prospective lithologies was carried out by Company personnel in January, 2025. Results exhibit robust critical metal mineralization over 240.73 meters in hole LO24-01, including: Concurrent with Company infill sampling, geologists from the USGS and Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) collected samples for Whole Rock, Major Oxides, and thin section analyses. Results of the USGS and WSGS work are pending. 'Our recent geological and geophysical findings, coupled with promising initial drilling results, are significantly enhancing our confidence in the Lake Owen Project. Each new insight reinforces our belief that this project deserves a robust exploration budget in the near future.' Said Yannis Tsitos, President of Troy. 'Beyond the historically recognized high grades of iron, titanium, and vanadium, the recent discovery of scandium and gallium-critical metals essential for applications in metal alloys, military and civil aviation, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and solar panels-underscores the project's immense potential for both our Company and the State of Wyoming in USA. We are committed to maximizing shareholder value through strategic development plans for Lake Owen, alongside our silica and rare earth element (REE) initiatives.' Table 1: Drill hole specifications Drill hole LO24-01 was designed to test the extent of the Lower Mag Gabbro down to the basement contact. Drilling revealed a series of interlayered magnetic gabbro and a distinctive coarse-grained green gabbro. The green coloration is imparted by pyroxenes altering to chlorite. These layers are generally constrained to widths of less than 4 metres. Table 2: Drill hole LO24-01 intersections 1: All intersections lengths are drill indicated thicknesses; insufficient work has been completed to reliably determine true thicknesses. 2: Elemental geochemical analyses were converted to oxides using following conversion factors Titanium - 1.6681, Vanadium - 1.7852, Iron - 1.2865, Scandium - 1.5338, Gallium - 1.3442 Drill hole LO24-02 intersected gabbroic units that are weakly magnetic and contain no anomalous values of titanium, vanadium, or scandium. This drill hole was collared deeper in the sequence than hole LO24-01; further down dip and stratigraphically lower in the Lower Mag Unit. Drill core was detail logged and sampled by Company staff. Core was split by saw with samples sent to ALS Global's laboratory in Reno, NV for preparation and analysis. Samples were analyzed for multi-elements (ME-MS61). The Company's quality control monitoring consisted of inserting certified reference and blank material in the sample stream. No quality control issues were identified. Only a very small portion of the Lake Owen Complex and therefore our Claims has been drill-tested to date. As currently mapped, the prospective Lower Mag Gabbro unit continues along strike to the west. The Company has yet to drill test the stratigraphically higher Upper Mag Gabbro. Surface mapping and sampling in 2023 identified two massive magnetite rock samples that returned 8.812% TiO2 and 0.548% V2O5, and 15.505% TiO2 and 0.586% V2O5 respectively (Figure 5). These represent priority drill targets for 2025. An historical drill hole was completed here not by Troy, but there was no assessment of titanium, vanadium, or scandium. Troy Minerals is planning its summer fieldwork for the Lake Owen Project. After analyzing airborne geophysical data, as reported in the May 21, 2025 news release, Troy will collect soil samples and conduct geological mapping and sampling. The aim is to refine drill targets for the 2026 season, including a relevant drilling pads application. Qualified Person The information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ted Vander Wart, a consultant to the Company, who is a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. About Troy Minerals Troy Minerals is a Canadian based publicly listed mining company focused on building shareholder value through acquisition, exploration, and development of strategically located 'critical' mineral assets. Troy is aggressively advancing its projects within the silica (silicon), vanadium, and rare earths industries within regions that exhibit high and growing demand for such commodities, in both North America and Central-East Asia. The Company's primary objective is the near-term prospect of production with a vision of becoming a cash-flowing mining company to deliver tangible monetary value to shareholders, state, and local communities. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, Rana Vig | CEO & Director Telephone: 604-218-4766 Email: [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed 'forward-looking statements'. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Troy Resources Inc. (the 'Company') expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words 'expects', 'plans', 'anticipates', 'believes', 'intends', 'estimates', 'projects', 'potential' and similar expressions, or that events or conditions 'will', 'would', 'may', 'could' or 'should' occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include results of exploration activities may not show quality and quantity necessary for further exploration or future exploitation of minerals deposits, volatility of commodity prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, permitting and other approvals, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: Troy Minerals Inc. press release
