"Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists and forest land managers are coming together to work hard for the recovery of these species," she said.

The state's forestry bureau within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working with the Game Commission to provide more mast-producing trees and shrubs near woodrat areas.

The Bureau of Forestry manages more than 2 million acres of public land in Pennsylvania.

The state has been cutting trees to open up the understory to sunlight, which gives oak trees as well as elderberry and blueberry shrubs the chance to grow, said Aura Stauffer, a wildlife biologist with the bureau. Stauffer is headquartered in Harrisburg.

Woodrats live in open rock field areas. "It's not an easy place to navigate," she said. "It's hard to plant in not a lot of good soil and deer will eat everything you plant often."

Given the slow rate of population growth as well as the time to increase beneficial trees and plants near woodrat populations, recovery won't be fast or even achieved in 10 years, Otterbein said.

"There are signs we are hitting the nail on the head with actions to stabilize the populations, which allows us to develop methods and tools into the future."

The Game Commission's woodrat program currently costs about $77,000 annually. Federal State Wildlife Grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reimburses the commission for 65% of the program's cost, leaving state funds to cover about $27,000, said Travis Lau, press secretary for the commission.

The Federal State Wildlife Grants support state efforts to recover species in decline to prevent federal endangered or threatened species listings, according to the Game Commission.

Dropping in food to the woodrat is not a long-term solution, Otterbein said.

"Their habitat needs to be more productive with the food," she said.

"It takes years for oaks and hickory trees to produce plentiful masts. It's a process that involves a lot of people with a lot of specialties."

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