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Conservation community reacts to Ohio’s new state forest plan

Contributed Photo Jack Shaner, Ohio Environmental Council

Dr. Brian McCarthy, professor of forest ecology at Ohio Universtiy

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Ohio to create first new state forest in a decade

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Updated 7:41 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Reaction to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ announcement Tuesday, Oct. 27, that it will purchase the Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest in summer 2010 to create the first state forest in more than a decade:

“The 1,400 employees of Glatfelter in Chillicothe face a more secure future with the state of Ohio purchasing this valuable working forest that will be managed in a sustainable manner. It’s of great value to Ohio’s $7.5 billion paper industry to protect this forested land and perpetuate over 57 years of forestry research in Southern Ohio.”

— Stephen Brown,

Woodlands Manager,

Glatfelter

“Both I and my graduate students have conducted research on forest ecology and management in these woodlands for almost ten years, which has resulted in over a dozen peer-reviewed publications in the forestry literature, forty papers presented at scientific meetings, and nearly a half million dollars in federal research funding. Failure to conserve these woodlands, and protect it from development, would result in a major loss of information on the ecology and management of regional hardwood forests, not to mention the loss of a critical center of biological diversity, and key facility for university natural science training.”

— Brian McCarthy, Ph.D.,

Professor of Forest Ecology, Ohio University

“This acquisition saves one of the last great remnants of Appalachian forests left in Ohio. The conservation community in Ohio is proud to have contributed to the effort by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to protect this outstanding place for the benefit of all.”

— Josh Knights,

Executive Director,

The Nature Conservancy in Ohio

“This forest is an ecological cornucopia of rare plant and animal species. This is a bargain investment that will pay dividends many times over to the people of Ohio in clean air, protected soil and water resources, and conserved wildlife habitat. The Ohio Division of Forestry is doing right by the people of Ohio with this landmark acquisition.”

— Jack Shaner,

Deputy Director,

Ohio Environmental Council

“The forest landowner demonstration area allows visitors to actually experience a wide spectrum of forest management activities. This demonstration area, as well as the numerous research sites and excellent facilities make the Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest the premier location in Ohio and surrounding states for forestry-related educational programs.”

— Dr. Roger Williams,

Associate Professor of Forestry, Ohio State University and Policy Chairman, Ohio Chapter of the Society of American Foresters

“Access to hunting lands continues to get tougher for sportsmen in Ohio every year. This acquisition forever assures that these quality hunting lands will be available to hunters.”

— Doug Duhl,

President,

Jackson County Federation of Conservation Clubs

“Research conducted at the Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest deepens our knowledge of the growth and ecological function of the central hardwood forests.A great deal remains to be learned as our forests continue to be threatened by an ever growing list of new pests and diseases.”

— Michael Rains,

Director,

USDA Forest Service’s Northern Research Station

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