TC Energy partnership fuels Oak-Hickory restoration in Southern Indiana forests

FERDINAND — The Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF) has announced a renewed partnership with TC Energy to tackle a critical ecological challenge: the declining health of Indiana’s oak and hickory forests.

Data from the Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI) indicates a troubling trend in Southern Indiana. While mature oak and hickory trees currently dominate the overstory, they are largely missing from the forest understory. In their place, shade-tolerant species like American beech and maple are taking over, essentially “choking out” the next generation of Indiana’s most vital trees.

Thanks to a grant from TC Energy, staff at the Ferdinand and Pike State Forests—which encompass nearly 13,000 acres—have acquired a new high-performance mulching attachment. This equipment is already proving to be a game-changer for land management.

“Both the staff at Ferdinand-Pike State Forest and the Division of Forestry appreciate the generous support of TC Energy and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation to make this purchase a reality,” said Jamie Winner, property manager for the two forests.

The attachment allows crews to efficiently clear out competing mid-story vegetation and invasive species, “opening up” the forest floor to the sunlight that oak and hickory saplings need to survive.

Why Oak and Hickory Matter

The restoration of these species is about more than just timber; it is the backbone of Indiana’s woodland ecosystem:

• Wildlife Nutrition: Acorns and hickory nuts (mast) are essential food sources for deer, turkeys, and squirrels.
• Forest Resilience: A diverse forest is more resistant to pests and diseases that can wipe out single-species stands.
• Timber Industry: Oak and hickory remain two of the most economically important species for Indiana’s hardwood industry.

While the large-scale oak-hickory improvement plan is just beginning, the new equipment has already benefited local campers. Last fall, the attachment was used to mulch debris as part of a major campground renovation project at Ferdinand State Forest. These improvements, which include electrical hookups and new water points, are expected to be fully completed by early 2026.

TC Energy’s commitment to Indiana’s outdoors extends beyond the forest. Their previous grants have funded:

• Patoka Lake: A new flat-bottom resource boat used for fish habitat restoration and side-scan sonar mapping.
• Martin State Forest: A Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) used for invasive species control and prescribed fire management.

“Investing in equipment that lasts for many years results in multiple habitat restoration projects, not just one,” noted Brian Finch, Patoka Lake’s wildlife specialist.

The INRF continues to seek donors and partners to celebrate and preserve Indiana’s natural legacy.