ODNR District Open House Events Seek Public Input

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(Columbus) – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry invites the public to attend an in-person open house to learn more about the Annual Work Plan for State Forests. Three open house events are scheduled for September 12, 13, and 14, 2023.

“Sharing information and receiving public input are key purposes of the Division of Forestry’s annual open houses,” Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser said. “They are great settings for members of the public to interact with Division staff, learn about our plans to sustainably manage Ohio’s forests, and provide us with valuable comments.”
 

Vinton Furnace State Forest
 

The Division of Forestry’s managers and foresters develop an annual work plan to guide specific management activities for 24 state forests in Ohio. This work plan encompasses more than 200,000 acres combined. The open house events provide opportunities for the public to ask questions and comment on Ohio’s plans for sustainable forestry, which include recreation, treating invasive species, prescribed burning, and timber cruising and harvesting.
 
Ohio Division of Forestry’s 2023 Open House events: 
 

• Southeastern District, Athens Headquarters
  • Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • 360 E. State St., Athens, OH 45701
  • For more information, call 740-272-8519
• Southern District, Chillicothe Headquarters
  • Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • 345 Allen Ave., Chillicothe, OH 45601
  • For more information, call 740-774-1596
• Northern District, Loudonville Library
  • Thursday, September 14, 2023, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • 122 E Main St, Loudonville, OH 44842
  • For more information, call 419-424-5004.

Open house information and the draft Annual Work Plan for State Forests are posted on the Division of Forestry’s State Forest Plans webpage.
 
If you would like to submit written comments, please send an email with your name to: DNR-stateforestworkplancomments@dnr.ohio.gov
 
Comments will be accepted through October 9, 2023, at which time they will be considered as the plans are finalized.