DNR To Gather Input On Forestry Strategic Plan At Three Meetings

Last updated on Thursday, August 13, 2015

(UNDATED) - Hoosiers can offer input on the DNR Division of Forestry’s 2015-2019 strategic plan at three public meetings in September.

The plan can be accessed by visiting dnr.IN.gov/forestry. Click on the link for "Publications and Presentations."

DNR Forestry manages approximately 156,000 acres in 12 state forests and state recreation areas; manages the Classified Forest and Wildlands program, which includes more than 700,000 acres of private woodlands; grows and sells 3 million seedlings annually; and administers a statewide urban forestry program.

"The Division of Forestry has more than a 100-year track record of sustainably managing public and private woodlands, or as we call them 'working forests,' " said John Seifert, division director. "We routinely seek public input. But since this is a five-year commitment, we want to go directly to the citizens to seek guidance on the current plan and to make sure we are doing it right."

Seifert will attend each meeting to facilitate discussion and receive customer feedback. He and other staff members will outline the plan, answer questions and take comments.

The dates and locations are:

Monday, September 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Indiana State Museum, 3rd floor Museum Conference Room, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.
Tuesday, September 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Honeywell Center, Nixon Room, 275 W. Market St., Wabash.
Wednesday, September 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Cool Springs Education Center. The entrance to the center is located off of State Road 64, about 8 miles west of Huntingburg, on the left.

State forests are managed for multiple uses and benefits, including hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, hiking, mushroom hunting and picnicking. Other benefits include timber production; conservation of air, soil and water resources; and forest aesthetics. One way this strategic plan differs from previous plans is an emphasis on increasing and improving recreation opportunities on state forests. The plan is also seeking to support these activities with user fees, something DNR Forestry has done for many years on three properties but now intends to apply across the entire state forest system. Also new to this plan is supporting private lands woodland management with fees paid by people who use the services of district foresters. The services and fees are undecided at this time, and the division is looking for public input and direction on how to carry out this program.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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