Four state forest open houses set

Posted by Indiana RealEstateRama

February 18, 2008

Open houses will be held at four Indiana State Forests on selected dates in March and April. The DNR hosts the open houses to listen to Hoosiers’ input on the operation, funding and staffing of these forests.

These forests include Greene-Sullivan State Forest (staff from Owen-Putnam SF also will be present), Yellowwood State Forest (Morgan-Monroe SF staff also present), Ferdinand State Forest (Martin and Harrison-Crawford SF staff also present) and Clark State Forest (Deam Lake and Starve Hollow state recreation area staffs present as well as staffs from Jackson-Washington and Selmier state forests).

Meetings at each property include displays about recreational activities, budget issues, staffing, major projects, the 2008-13 DNR Division of Forestry strategic plan, invasive-species control and forest resource management.

Attendees can talk directly with DNR personnel or, if they prefer, submit written comments concerning forest and recreation management policies and programs. Staff from each property will lead a short tour of nearby sites to give visitors a better understanding of the activities planned. Light refreshments will be served.

“These open houses provide Hoosiers with a chance to receive first-hand information about how the state forests provide diverse wildlife habitat, forest products and recreational opportunities,” said State Forester John Seifert. “They also allow us to receive valuable feedback from our neighbors and users about state forest management issues. I encourage everyone who has an interest in the state forests to participate.”

Those who cannot attend an open house can review and make comments on management plans online. Beginning this year, the DoF posts all tract management guides for public inspection and comment at dnr.IN.gov/forestry/stateforests/index.html. Click on “State Forest Management Guides” to see the current list of guides available.

Dates and directions follow. All times are Eastern.

Greene-Sullivan SF, Tuesday, March 18, 3-7 p.m. The office is 1.5 miles south of Dugger, on S.R. 159, phone (812) 648-2810. Staff from Owen-Putnam SF will also be present. The tour leaves from the forest office at 5 p.m.

Yellowwood SF, Tuesday, April 1, 3-7 p.m. The office is 7 miles west of Nashville, just north of S.R. 46, phone (812) 988-7945. Staff from Morgan-Monroe SF will also be present. The tour leaves from the office at 5 p.m.

Ferdinand SF, Tuesday, April 15, 3-7 p.m. The office is on S.R. 264, approximately 4 miles northeast of Ferdinand, phone (812) 367-1524. Staffs from Martin and Harrison-Crawford state forests will also be present. The tour leaves from the office at 5 p.m.

Clark SF, Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The office is 1 mile north of Henryville on S.R. 31, phone (812) 294-4306. Staffs from Deam Lake and Starve Hollow state recreation areas and Jackson-Washington and Selmier state forests will also be present. The tour leaves from the office at 1 p.m.

For more information or detailed directions, please call the state forest office at the number listed above.

The DNR Division of Forestry promotes and practices good stewardship of natural, recreational and cultural resources on Indiana’s public and private forest lands. This stewardship produces continuing benefits, both tangible and intangible, for present and future generations.

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