3. Indiana State Parks & Reservoirs
The mission of the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs is to manage and
interpret our unique natural, wildlife and cultural resources; to provide for
compatible recreational opportunities; and to sustain the integrity of those
resources for future generations.
4. Natural Areas Management on State Parks
The mission of the natural areas program is to promote, maintain and
restore the integrity of our native ecological communities using sound
science to ensure appropriate composition, structure, and function
that reflects original Indiana landscapes.
5. • While providing opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, canoeing and
many other forms of outdoor recreation, the state parks contain some of
the finest natural areas in the state and Midwest.
• These areas and others are currently home to more than 180 species
listed as rare, threatened, or endangered on both state and federal lists.
• Most of these special areas require some form of active management to
remain ecologically intact.
6. Active Management
• Deer reductions - State parks have managed
the impacts of over browsing deer since 1993.
• Goose reductions - State parks have managed
the impacts of overabundant geese since
2007.
• Invasive Species Management
• Prescribed Fire
7. Other projects
• Dunes Creek daylighting project
• Prophetstown wetland restoration
• Brown Co. Little Blue Creek oak restoration
project
8. Wildlife Management on Reservoirs
• The mission of the wildlife management
program is to professionally restore, create,
manage and conserve habitat suitable for
native game species that results in diverse
outdoor recreational experiences for hunters
and other users alike.
9. • Managing game and non-game wildlife on
reservoirs is largely about maintaining the proper
resources that different populations of wildlife
need, such as food, water, shelter, and other
special needs. These are all components of
habitat.
• Strong habitat management requires managers to
use a handful of different tools and
techniques. The most important of these is
succession control, or manipulating how and
where old fields mature into forests of different
ages and structures. Other techniques include the
use of prescribed fire and maintaining food plots
and agricultural areas.
11. Crop Leases
• Eight reservoirs leased 47 units over 5,597
acres for a four year period.
• Cumulative revenue from the four year lease
will be approximately $657,500.00
($164,000.00 annually).
12. Trapping Leases
• Lease agreements generally include details
such as allowable trap sets and species
specific Information.
• Twenty-one units are currently leased by 13
individuals. Cumulative revenue from the two
year lease period will be approximately
$3,200.
13. Recruitment/Retention Initiative
• Div. of Parks and Reservoirs has begun a new
recruitment/retention initiative on IDNR reservoirs.
• A total of 21 events were held with more than 540 in
attendance.
• Events regularly included partnerships with local and
national organizations (friends groups, Dick’s Sporting
Goods, Indiana State Trappers Association, local bait
shops, 4-H, etc.). Most events have been very
successful and we anticipate even more progress as we
build and tweak the program.
14. Initiative Objectives
• Cultivate the value of outdoor sports.
• Promote the continuing heritage and
significance of outdoor sports.
• Expose potential and existing newcomers to
activities and skill sets.
• Create a better understanding of the wildlife
management profession and related
methods/techniques.
15. Div. of Fish & Wildlife
• Mission Statement
Our mission is to professionally manage
Indiana's fish and wildlife for present and
future generations, balancing ecological,
recreational, and economic benefits.
16. • In 1919, the Indiana state legislature established the Department of
Conservation (today known as the Department of Natural
Resources) and created a Division of Fish and Game (today called
the Division of Fish and Wildlife). This division was granted the
statutory responsibility of providing for the care of wild animal
populations, on public and private property along with a program of
management to serve the best interests of the resources and the
people of Indiana.
• These programs were funded by hunters and anglers through the
sale of hunting and fishing licenses. In 1937 and again in 1951,
sportsmen and women increased their contribution to conservation
funding by supporting creation of a federal excise tax on hunting
and fishing equipment, called the wildlife and sport fish restoration
grant program. These programs, which rely on the number of
hunting and fishing licenses sold by each state for distribution of
funds, continue to this day. In 1995 Indiana conservationists again
demonstrated their commitment to conservation by supporting a
voluntary income tax check-off program to fund non game and
endangered wildlife conservation in Indiana.
17. Fisheries Programs
PROGRAM PURPOSE
• Fisheries Management: protect fisheries
resources & make fishing better
• Public Access: develop & maintain
boating and fishing access to rivers and lakes
• Aquatic Invasive Species: manage impacts of
invasives such as Asian carp
• Contaminants: recover fish kill
damages from responsible parties & restore habitats
• Lake and River Enhancement: reduce sediment &
nutrient pollution
18. FUNDING SOURCES
Fisheries Management and Public Access programs
are funded by dedicated license revenue,
matched with 75% federal Sport Fish Restoration
Funds for eligible activities. The Aquatic Invasive
Species Program is funded with a blend of
dedicated and federal monies, including federal
funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
The Contaminants Program uses dedicated
license revenue and the federal Sport Fish
Restoration match as well as funds recovered
from polluters (for non-salary restoration project
expenses). The Lake and River Enhancement
Program is funded from a boating fee that ranges
from $5-$25 depending on boat value.
19. Wildlife Programs
PROGRAM PURPOSE
• Private Lands: The Private Lands Unit is responsible for the
management of wildlife populations and the restoration, enhancement, and
maintenance of wildlife habitats on the privately-owned landscape of Indiana
• Public lands: The Public Lands Unit is responsible for managing
habitat quality and quantity on over 146,000 acres of public land for hunting,
fishing, shooting, wildlife viewing, and a host of other compatible outdoor
recreation activities.
• Diversity/Management: The Diversity and Management unit oversees
conservation projects and management of over 100 eligible species of greatest
conservation need, including federal and state endangered and other rare species.
• Research: The Wildlife Research Unit is responsible for
assessing the overall health and management of legally-harvested wildlife
populations at multiple spatial scales; development and implementation of harvest
recommendations and strategies; development and implementation of statewide
population and harvest monitoring programs; constituent surveys and disease
monitoring protocols; and serve as the Department’s experts regarding those
wildlife species.
20. Funding Sources
• Research, Public Lands, and Private Lands programs are funded by
dedicated license revenue, matched with 75% federal Sport Fish
Restoration Funds for eligible activities with the remainder from various
federal USDA grants, the Deer Research and Management Fund, and the
Game Bird Habitat Restoration Fund.
• In almost every case, all the citizens of Indiana are deriving benefit from
these services while only a small portion actually directly support those
services through hunting and fishing license sales which are stable to
declining in revenue. For instance, approximately 70% of the users on Fish
and Wildlife Areas are non consumptive users that may never purchase a
license. Those percentages are probably comparable for private lands.
• The Diversity and Management Program receives limited funding from the
federal State Wildlife Grant Program and donations to the Nongame Fund,
through the state income tax check-off. In almost every case, all the
citizens of Indiana are deriving benefit from these services while only a
small portion actually supports those services through the tax check off
program which results in inconsistent and inadequate funding.
21. Environmental Programs
PROGRAM PURPOSE
• Environmental Reviews: Conduct environmental reviews for
early coordination requests and permit applications for
construction projects to minimize the impacts to fish, wildlife, and
botanical resources and their habitat. This program is funded by
dedicated license revenue, with 75% of the costs paid for by federal
grant funds for eligible activities.
• Operations/Permitting: Review and issue over twenty-five
different types of commercial licenses and permits. Coordinate and
oversee the administrative rule promulgation process for the
Division of Fish and Wildlife to revise existing administrative rules
and create new rules when needed for biological, social, or
enforcement purposes. These programs are funded by dedicated
license revenue.
22. Div. Of Nature Preserves
• Indiana's system of Nature Preserves was
established by a 1967 act of the General
Assembly. The system's purpose is to provide
permanent protection for significant natural
areas within the state.
23. • The first dedicated nature preserve was Pine
Hills Nature Preserve in Shades State Park in
1969.
• There are 242 Nature Preserves in IN.
• This represents more than 32,000 acres
spread throughout Indiana.
• We work closely with many others in
dedicating significant natural areas, for
instance DNR State Parks, DNR Forestry, DNR
Fish and Wildlife, Nature Conservancy and
local land trusts, as well as local county park
systems.
24. Nature Preserve Program
• provides in perpetuity protection for lands
dedicated by the Natural Resources
Commission, who accept the easement for the
State. Numerous ownerships (agencies, local
governments, universities, land trusts, etc).
• Funding for Nature Preserve staff, and Nature
Preserve management is from a blend of
General Funds and other funds (trust funds,
federal grants, NRD funds, etc).
25. Division Programs
• Nursery Inspections and Certification
• Apiary Inspections
• Quarantines
• Permits and Licenses
• Issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates
• Exotic and Invasive Pest Surveys and
Monitoring
All programs are covered under 312 IAC Article 18 under
authority of IC 14-24.
26. • Nature Preserve programs, similar in nature,
are in place in Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio.
• Due to the numerous license plates available
to Hoosiers, funding for land acquisition
through IHT is down; land acquisition funding
is needed to secure critical additions to
existing nature preserves, and to secure
protection for Indiana’s few remaining natural
areas.
27. Natural Heritage Program
• Tracks information on rare species, high quality
natural areas, and managed lands.
• Heritage Programs are found in all 50 states, and
numerous countries.
• Funding comes from General Funds, Office of
Surface Mining funds, and other sources.
• Serves as the “Lands Unsuitable for Mining”
database for the Division of Reclamation
(required by the federal Office of Surface Mining).
28. Lake Michigan Coastal Program
• Federally funded program that provides
funding (approximately $750,000 annually,
with funding determined by a state’s
population and number of miles of shoreline)
to governmental agencies and non-profit in
Indiana’s coastal area to help protect coastal
resources.
29. • Funds can be for resource restoration, land acquisition, and
planning:
1. Protection and restoration of significant natural and cultural
resources.
2. Programs to prevent the loss of life and property in coastal hazard
areas.
3. Improved public access for recreational purposes.
4. Revitalized urban waterfronts and ports.
5. Improved coordination among government agencies in policy and
decision-making processes.
6. Pollution prevention initiatives, including non-point source
pollution into coastal waters.
• Staff are funded with a blend of cigarette tax funds and matching
federal funds.
• All eligible states (great lake or ocean coasts) have a coastal
program.
31. Nursery Section
• Mission
To grow and distribute to Indiana landowners,
high quality native plant materials for
conservation plantings. Conservation
plantings include plantings for timber, wildlife,
windbreaks, soil and water protection, mine
reclamation, carbon sequestering and
education
32. Who We Serve
2%
20% 30% Mineland Reclamation
Environmental Programs
15% Timber Production
8%
25% Wildlife Habitat
Windbreak Establishment
Arbor Day
35. Indiana’s State Forest System
• Working lands managed for multiple benefits
– 13 State Forests
– 156,000 acres
– Includes 17 nature preserves (2,369 acres)
– Timber, wildlife, hunting, foraging, camping, lakes,
firewood
– 4,500 acres forest restoration activities annually
• Reforestation, forest improvement, invasive species, erosion
control.
• Funded by timber revenues, capital funding and operating
budgets
• Approx $200,000/year
36. State Forests- Surrounding States
(Only Indiana and Ohio Certified as Well Managed by
international certification systems –Green Certification)
37. Indiana State Forests
Conserving Biodiversity
• Sustainable Forest Resource Management
• Timber harvests and restoration activities administered by professional
foresters at all forests
• Forest management results in habitat diversity, supporting high species
diversity
• Several Nature Preserves established and managed
• Certified as well managed by FSC & SFI
• 14 million board feet green certified hardwoods sold last FY
• Approximately $3 million (15% returned to counties)
• Harvest approximately 50% of annual growth
• State Forest continue to increase in timber volume
• Forest Research
– HEE project (a 100 year effort)
– In Eastern US only Missouri has a similar project
– Independent research projects ongoing (2011: 15 projects, 11 partners)
– Continuous Forest Inventory system remeasured
38. Indiana State Forests
Conservation Concerns
• Public support
• Indiana DNR and the Division of Forestry has a long positive history -the envy of many states
• Protection of important lands
– Consolidating ownership improves sustainability
– General land acquisition funding has declined while land availability has gone up
• Management of invasive species (plants, animals, insects, disease)
– Work never ends
– Reintroduction of American Chestnut a possibility
• Protecting species of greatest conservation need
– Indiana bat habitat conservation plan
– Environmental Assessment completed for 2008-2027
– Research includes management effects on endangered species
• Sustainable lakes
– Aging lakes filling with sediment
– Maintenance and repair of aging dams
40. Private Lands Management
• The Division spends approx. $1.2 million/year to fund
District Forester operations. Most of this money goes to
salary and support to administer the Classified Forest and
Wildlands Program.
• The Division works with the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service to provide cost share money to assist
private landowners in completing forestry practices. In
2009-2010 $2.2 million in assistance was provided
• The Licensed Timber Buyers Program regulates the
purchase of logs or standing timber from both public and
private lands. The law offers landowners legal remedies if
the landowner thinks that their trees have been wrongfully
cut or if the landowner is not paid for the trees as agreed.
The $80 thousand collected in fees supports the program.
41. Classified Forest & Wildlands Program
Program authorized March 10,1921.
Purpose: To encourage timber
production, wildlife habitat, and
protect water quality on private
lands.
Landowner incentive: Property tax
reduction (Assessed value for
enrolled land = $1/acre)
Program administered by the
Division of Forestry
42. Classified Forest & Wildlands Program
Program Growth
Classified Program Enrollment
Classified Forest 1921 -2005
Classifed Forest & Wildlands 2006-present
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000 ACRES ENROLLED
200,000
100,000
0
1925
1930
1935
1940
1945
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
The 5 year average (2005-2010) for program growth is 19,800 acres/year. Program
growth is expected to remain near this rate or higher, depending on staffing levels.
43. Classified Forest & Wildlands Program
Comparison to Surrounding States’
Forest Tax Law Programs
Wisconsin Indiana
Managed Forest Law Classified Forest & Wildlands
•Property tax deduction (amount •Property tax deduction (Assessed
depend on if public access is value = $1/acres)
granted) •Management plan required
•10 acre minimum •10 acre minimum
•Management plan required •No public access required
•Green certification through FSC & •Green certification through FSC &
ATFS. ATFS.
Michigan
Illinois Commercial Forest Program
Forestry Development Act Ohio •Property tax deduction
•Open to forest land in counties Ohio Forest Tax Law •State pays counties $1.20/enrolled
with < 3 million inhabitants • Property tax deduction acres
•Property tax deduction •10 acres minimum • Enrolled land open for public
(assessed value at 1/6 value) •Management plan hunting, trapping & fishing
•Management plan require required
•No public access required •No public access required
44. Division of Forestry
“Green” Forest Certification
• State Forests
– Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC) & Sustainable Forestry
Initiative (SFI)
– 153,000 acres certified
– 12,000,000 BdFT
• Classified Forest & Wildlands
– American Tree Farm System &
Forest Stewardship Council
– 555,000+ acres certified
– 35,000,000 BdFT
46. Division of Forestry
Fire Management
Four Focal Areas
1. Fire Suppression
Operational Suppression & Assistance
Technical Assistance
Predictive Services
2. Fire prevention
Public Awareness
K-5 Programming
3. Assistance to Rural & Volunteer Fire Departments
Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants (VFA)
Federal Excess Personal Program (FEPP)
Rural Wildland Fire Suppression Training
4. Prescribed Fire
Ecological Burning
Fuel Reduction / Mitigation
47. Fire Suppression
• Fire Operations
– State Lands
– Private lands
– Partner Agencies
• Technical Assistance
– Working remotely to assist
Fire Departments with
firefighting strategy and
tactics.
• Predictive Services
– Seasonal Outlooks
– Fuels monitoring
– Drought Task Force
48. Fire Prevention
• Public Awareness
– Education of the masses
on the dangers of
wildfires emphasizing Fire
Prevention.
– Hazard Mitigation
• K-5 Programming
– Fire Safety
– Good Fire vs. Bad Fire
– Responsibility
49. Assistance to Rural / Volunteer
Fire Departments
• Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA)
– Pass through grant from USDA Forest Service
– 50/50 Program up to $10,000.00 total grant
• Maximum $5,000.00 Grant Funds / $5,000.00 Fire Dept.
• Geared toward improving response to wildfires and
improving ISO ratings.
• Water handling, pumps, protective gear, communications.
• Federal Excess Property Program (FEPP)
– Agreement in place to acquire excess federal
property and reassign to rural fire departments
– Trucks, generators, fire apparatus, etc.
50. Prescribed Fire
• Ecological Burning
– Maintaining Fire Dependent
Habitat
– Habitat Restoration
– Oak Regeneration
• Fuel Reduction / Mitigation
– Rx Fire applied to lessen
effects of fire in critical
areas
51. Indiana’s Unique Approach
Benefits…
• Directed support of Rural & Volunteer Fire Departments
– A proportionally small fire staff supports local level efforts to
limit State level expense.
• Utilization of Multiple-duty Departmental Personnel
– Support for Fire operations is provided by fire trained personnel
in DNR’s land holding divisions.
• Leveraged funding through recurrent federal grants
focused on Wildland Fire Assistance in the State.
Detractors…
• Staff size is not commensurate with the demand for
service – especially during the spring and fall operational
fire seasons.
53. Forest Resource Information
Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA)
Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI)
•State Forest Properties System
•Classified Forest System
54. FIA
• Federal Forest Service Program administered by
the DNR Division of Forestry
• Ongoing assessment since the 1950s
• Statewide assessment survey of forestland across
all ownerships representing all 4.5 million acres
of forests in Indiana
• Approx $175,000 annually for the base program
from the USFS
• DoF adds approx $80,000 annually to double the
intensity of the survey
55. CFI Properties System
• Internal forest assessment survey of DoF
owned/managed lands
• Estimated cost $100,000 annually
• Install and measure 800 plots annually equally
dispersed throughout all properties
• Currently in the fourth year (80% of total
sample)
56. CFI Classified Forest System
• Internal forest assessment survey of privately
owned lands enrolled in the classified forest
system
• Estimated cost $100,000 annually
• Install and measure 500 plots annually equally
dispersed throughout the state on classified
forest tracts
• Currently in the first year of the program
57. Division of Entomology and Plant
Pathology
Who are we? What do we do?
October 21st, 2009
Scott Kinzie
Nursery Inspector/Compliance Officer
58. • Our Mission is to Manage Plant and Apiary
Pests for the Preservation and Protection of
Cultivated and Natural Resources, to
Facilitate Trade, and to Enhance the Quality
and Appreciation of the Environment.
59. Small Division - - Large Outreach
Nursery Industry
Logging/Timber Industry
The Bee Industry (Apiary)
Exporters
Private Campgrounds (Firewood)
Homeowners
60. Nurseries and Nursery Dealers
Inspection and Licensing Program
• Required under IC 14-24
“The division shall issue a certificate following an
inspection that discloses that the nursery stock is
apparently free from pests and pathogens”.
• This is an annual inspection and license which is required
to sell plants within Indiana and to move and sell plants
into other states.
• License fee - $50 and inspection fee $3/acre for nurseries
growing plants in Indiana.
• Approximately 400 nurseries and 2,000 nursery dealers
61. Nurseries and Nursery Dealers
Inspection and Licensing Program cont.
• Fees currently recover approximately 65% of program.
Funded by general funds and dedicated account.
• All other states have nursery licensing program. The fees
vary by state and Indiana is below some state fees.
62. Apiary Inspections
• Required under IC 14-24
Inspection of bees being shipped out of Indiana to meet
requirements of other states.
• Done upon request of Apiarist.
• No cost for Inspection or issuance of inspection
certificate.
• General funds used to support cost of the inspection. No
dedicated funds used and limited federal grant funds used
when available.
• Not all states have an Apiary program.
63. Pest and Pathogen Permits
• Required under IC 14-24
Permits from Division required to move pests and
pathogens and plants with pest and pathogens within and
into Indiana.
• Done primarily for research and education purposes.
• No cost for permit.
• General and dedicated funds used to support staff time to
review and issue permits.
• Other states have similar permitting process.
• Some states charge for permit.
• Still an effective program as without it pests and
pathogens maybe introduced and spread within.
64. Phytosanitary Program
• Required under Plant Pest Act and International Plant
Protection Conventions.
Agricultural, horticultural and silvicultural plants, plant
products and other commodities moving in international
trade must meet the destination countries entry
requirements to prevent introduction of a pest or
pathogen.
• Plants and plant products must be inspected by state or
federal inspector who then issues phytosanitary
document.
• Phytosanitary document issued by Entomology costs $50
+ $6 processing fee. Issued by USDA cost is $112 + $6.
65. Phytosanitary Program
• General and dedicated funds used to support staff time to
inspect and issue document.
• Other states issue Phytosanitary documents and their
costs are similar or greater than Indiana’s.
• Still an effective program as it is required to help Indiana
businesses move corn, soybeans, popcorn, lumber and
logs in international trade.
• Issue 2,000 to 3,000 phytosanitary documents per year.
• Funds go into Division’s Dedicated account.
67. History of NRF and IHT
NRF established in 1990
IHT established in 1992
NRF Board populates the IHT Trust Committee by statute
IHT is a funding mechanism for DNR land acquisition
NRF is much broader in scope
From 1992 – 2007 IHT and NRF had the same Executive Director
which was a DNR employee.
In 2007, through the leadership of the NRF, the NRF hired its first
ever Executive Director to work solely for NRF.
68. Composition of
16 Member Project Committee:
Director – Division of Fish and Wildlife
Director – Division of Forestry
Director – Division of Nature Preserves
Director – Division of State Parks
Director – Division of Outdoor Recreation
Director – Division State Museums and Historic Sites
10 Individual citizens appointed by the Governor…
Citizen appointees must have a demonstrated interest or experience
in::
1) Conservation or natural resources
2) management of public property
At least 1 member shall be appointed from each congressional district
69. Composition of
17 Member Trust Committee:
12 Members of the Natural Resources Foundation
Not more than 6 of whom may be of the same political affiliation
At least one member appointed from each congressional district
2 Members of the Senate appointed by the president pro
tempore
2 members of the House of Representatives appointed by
the speaker
The Treasurer of State of the Treasurer’s designee
70. IHT Funds Allocated
For each $100,000 in revenue, the funds by law must be
allocated into specific accounts:
1. Stewardship Account 5% of $100,000 $5,000
2. State Parks Account 10% of balance $9,500
3. State Forests Account 10% of balance $9,500
4. Nature Preserves Account 10% of balance $9,500
5. Fish and Wildlife Account 10% of balance $9,500
6. Outdoor Rec./ Historic Sites 10% of balance $9,500
7. Discretionary Account 50% of balance $47,500
Total: $100,000
71. How an idea becomes a funded project
Proposal is reviewed and
essential details verified. All proposed projects are
Projects are submitted to Local officials are heard and voted on at the
Trust for funding notified of each project. IHT Project Committee
consideration Project is summarized on meeting
various forms for
Committee review
Governor’s office
reviews the projects A letter is prepared All proposed projects are
and sends a letter to and sent to the heard and voted on at the
the DNR Director Governor detailing Indiana Heritage Trust
approving the all approved projects Committee Meeting
proposals
Projects enter Land
Acquisition process
=Internal Process =External Process
72. How an approved project is completed
All due diligence is Documents are
Division of Land complete including title reviewed, signed by
Acquisition begins work work, appraisal, environm grantor and returned to
on project ental, surveys. Price is DNR
negotiated.
Documents are
recorded, final title
policy Documents are prepared an
Check is issued and
issued, entered into entered into the signature and
closing completed
GIS, sent to State approval process
Land Office
Petition Local Government Finance to
remove from tax rolls
73. Projects Proposed by Division
IHT Project Distribution
State Parks
9%
Forestry
25%
Nature Preserves
42% Outdoor Rec
Fish & Wildlife Historic Sites
14% Nature Preserves
Historic Sites State Parks
Outdoor Rec
4% Forestry
6%
Fish & Wildlife
74. Acres Acquired by Division
1996-2007 % Acreage Totals by Division
Outdoor
Recreation
Forestry 2%
19%
Historic Sites Fish & Wildlife
2% State Parks
Nature Preserves
Fish & Wildlife Historic Sites
53% Forestry
Nature Preserves
Outdoor Recreation
16%
State Parks
8%
75. Accomplishments
Protected 51,658 acres since inception
Projects in 56 Counties
345 completed projects
#1 selling vanity plate every year
Ongoing challenges
Funding
Payment in lieu of taxes
Notes de l'éditeur
Mineland Reclamation 30%Env. Programs 8%Timber 25%Windbreak 20%Wildlife 15%A. Day 2%
*estimated
Capital funding is major funding mechanism for forest restoration activities on State ForestsOver 4,700 acres of forest restoration work on Indiana’s State Forests was completed in 2010. This work positions these forests for continued health and productivity, providing jobs, wood products and other forest benefits for Hoosiers today and tomorrow. Primary work included reforestation of retired agricultural fields (117 acres), control of invasive plant species (403 acres), prescribed fires, timber stand improvements (3,996 acres) and wildlife habitat activity (213 acres).
Maintaining a wide variety of forest types, size classes and structure creates diversehabitat conditions which can support an equally diverse array of native flora and fauna. Prior to European settlement, the diversity of Indiana’s forests was maintained by a combination of natural disturbance events and Native American activities. These early events, such as landscape-scale wildfires, wind events, and small-scale clearing for agriculture created a patchwork forest of various size and age classes. This variety of forest conditions is the foundation of the wide range of diversity of plants and animals found in Indiana’s forests today. Many of these landscape scale events have been eliminated or altered in today’s Indiana forests. Carefully planned and executed timber harvests are used to bring back the positive effects of these earlier events to our forests while managing against the unacceptable negative aspects.The Continuous Forest Inventory program established a good number research plots in each State Forest that are measured every 5 years to track forest changes and sustainability issues.The HEE Hoosier Ecosystem Expirement established research study areas at MoRgan Monroe and Yellowwood State forests to study forest interactions, species diversity, and particular species in detail under several land management regimes. This long term project is partnering with several universities and is intended to continue for 100 years. State Forests provide ideal study areas due to size and activity as working forests.
American Chestnut was wiped out in the early 1910’s by the Chestnut Blights. Genetic researchers are only a few years away from developing blight resistant strains that could help return this species to Indiana.Forestry’s Yellowwood Lake in Brown County and Starve Hollow Lake in Jackson county have sediment removal projects completed or underway.For nearly a decade, management activities on State Forest properties have been conducted in accordance with a series of special guidelines and strategies designed to protect the federally endangered Indiana bat and its habitat. Management guidelines and strategies address various habitat requirements throughout the year, and include vital protection measures for the caves where bats hibernate through the winter and maternity roosts where females and their young find cover during the summer. To further complement the DoF’s efforts to protect Indiana bat habitat on State Forests, a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is currently being developed in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). An HCP is a legally binding agreement between the USFWS and either a private entity or a state that specifies conservation measures that will be implemented to minimize and mitigate harm to threatened or endangered species. In exchange for the HCP, the USFWS can issue a permit that would allow a landowner to proceed with an activity that is legal in all other respects but results in the incidental taking of a listed species. Once adopted, the DoF’s HCP will be the first ever to have addressed Indiana bat management concerns on an actively managed forest, providing a positive model for other states, natural resource agencies, and forest managers.The DoF recently developed a draft Environmental Assessment to evaluate the possible short- and long-term habitat impacts from the maximum management intensity necessary to maintain the current proportion of oak-hickory forest across the State Forest system. Researchers, land managers, and conservationists agree, maintaining the oak-hickory forest type throughout the Central Hardwood region is of critical importance to the native wildlife species found here, and the DoF believes future management should emphasize the preservation of this essential, yet threatened, forest type. The status, habitat requirements, and major threats of each listed species found on State Forests were evaluated to determine possible direct and cumulative impacts. Though the DoF is exempt from completing and Environmental Assessment for each of its forest management activities we took this initiative to better understand potential impacts of such a large system-wide program.The DoF provides substantial support for research on State Forests that investigates issues and questions related to forest management and wildlife conservation. Among the species of greatest conservation need that are currently being studied on State Forests: the state endangered cerulean warbler and numerous other neotropical migrant bird species, Indiana bats and other forest bat species, timber rattlesnakes, and box turtles. Recent past research on forest bats, including the federally endangered Indiana bat, has provided a better understanding of what species can be found on State Forests and which habitats are used most often by bats. Research on wildlife populations and habitat is critical for effective management and conservation; the DoF recognizes this need and dedicates a significant proportion of timber sale revenue towards such research efforts
In July 2010, the Classified Forest Program and the Classified Wildlife Habitat Program merged to create the Classified Forest & Wildlands Program. The Classified Wildlife Habitat Program brought over 90,340 acres to the combined program.
Fire Operations*State Lands – Primary suppression response with local fire departments on state owned lands including suppression, holding, mop-up and rehab responsibilities.*Private lands – Keep fires small… Protection of Indiana’s natural and cultural resources from the devastating effect of wildfire.*Partner Agencies - Maintain reciprical assistance agreements for fire suppression with federal agencies also providing fire suppression including Big Oaks NWR, Hoosier NF and Indiana Dunes National LakeshoreTechnical Assistance is provided to fire departments remotely addressing suppression techniques, smoke management and equipment use.Predictive Services – Seasonal outlooks and forecasts are generated for use by departmental, rural fire personnel and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.Close coodination with partners regarding bans on open burning. Integral partner of the Indiana Drought Task Force providing fire behavior, fuels and fire severity input.
Ecological burning is one of the most cost-effective methods utilized for maintaining habitat. Additionally, it is a necessary element in sustaining the fire dependent ecosystems found within the state including some forests, savannas, prairies and wetland complexes.Fire utilized to reduce fuels, especially heavy fuels, has proven effective in reducing the severity of fire and associated real costs when wildfire does strike.
Indiana has a unique approach to managing the State’s Wildland Fire Program. Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky maintain higher levels of operational fire staffing and support personnel within their respective programs. Some comparison can be made to Illinois, however that program has been growing steadily over the last several years. All states work closely with local level fire personnel (rural & volunteer), however they do not maintain the level of dependence that Indiana does. Indiana does keep the overall cost of the program to a minimum, however a need for growth is evident considering increasing needs, incident complexity, preparedness levels, etc.