The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ strategic plan for its forestry division is now available for public comment.
The plan includes goals such as retaining forests at their current level, improving forest resources awareness to assist in conservation, and to accelerate the restoration of Indiana’s private forests.
In a statement, DNR director Dan Bortner said “this plan focuses on supporting the growth of healthy, diverse forests for today’s Hoosiers and future generations to enjoy.”
The full plan is available to review online. The DNR will also hold meetings on November 6 and 14 and December 4 to discuss the drafted five-year plan. Comments will be accepted through December 17 th.
The dates and locations for the public meetings are:
Wednesday, Nov. 6: 6:30-8 p.m. at Fort Harrison Inn in Indianapolis
Thursday, Nov. 14, 6:30-8 p.m. at Salamonie Lake Nature Center in Andrews
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Spring Mill State Park Inn in Mitchell
The DNR Division of Forestry manages about 160-thousand acres of forest in 15 state forests across Indiana. It also provides guidance on the management of over 881,000 acres of private woodlands.
