Information last updated: 1/30/2015 10:54 AM
Report prepared: 2/3/2015 12:47 PM
State and Private Forestry Fact Sheet
2015 Ohio
Investment in State's Cooperative Programs:
Program
Community Forestry and Open Space
Cooperative Lands - Forest Health Management
Forest Legacy
Forest Stewardship
Landscape Scale Restoration
State Fire Assistance
Urban and Community Forestry
Volunteer Fire Assistance
Total
FY 2014 Final
$0
$201,995
$21,426
$140,200
$440,025
$462,173
$422,165
$321,472
$2,009,456
NOTE: This funding is for all entities within the state, not just the State Forester's office.
Successful implementation of the Cooperative Programs depends upon strong partnerships among state,
the US Forest Service, and numerous private and government entities. Programs promote the health and
productivity of forests, emphasizing timber and other forest products, wildlife, water resources, rural
economies, and state-of-the-art conservation practices. The overall goal is to maintain and improve the
environmental, economic, and social benefits provided by the state’s urban and rural forests. These
programs:
Program Goals:
• Improve cost effectiveness by using partnerships to deliver programs
• Increase forest-related values by sustaining forest productivity
• Use voluntary, non-regulatory approaches
Key Issues:
• Lack of public understanding of forestry and the importance of active forest management to quality of
life.
• The impact of invasive pests such as emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle on Ohio’s local
economies and ecosystems.
• Lack of public “working” forestland for high quality forest products, unique ecological habitats, pristine
water, and back-country recreation.
• Forest parcelization and open space protection.
• Continued loss of forest industries and the ultimate impact on forest health.
Forest Facts and Accomplishments:
Page 1 of 3
Information last updated: 1/30/2015 10:54 AM
Report prepared: 2/3/2015 12:47 PM
Ohio FY 2015
Selected Facts
Population
Acres of Forest Land
Acres of Nonindustrial Private Forest Land
Number of NIPF Landowners
Acres of Federal Land Under State Fire
Protection
Acres of Private Land Under State Fire
Protection
Number of Rural Fire Departments
Cities and Towns
Forest Based Employment
Economic Impact of Forestry (by rank)
State Forestry Budget (All Sources)
11,536,504
8,088,277
6,780,000
345,000
0
5,822,000
1,366
938
57,969
5
11,472,000
FY 2014 Accomplishments
Landowners Receiving Educational or
Technical Assistance
Acres Covered by New or Revised Forest
Stewardship Plans
Acres in Important Forest Resource Areas
Covered by New or Revised Stewardship
Plans
Volunteer Fire Departments Assisted
State Fire Communities Assisted
Coop Forest Health Acres Protected
Forest Legacy Project Acquisitions
Communities Provided Urban Forestry
Program Assistance
Population Living in Communities Provided
Urban Forestry Program Assistance
Urban Forestry Volunteer Assistance
8,574
22,932
4,869
163
0
109,778
0
291
5,710,967
54,840
Program Highlights:
Cooperative Fire Protection
State Fire Assistance funding was used to redesign the web-based wildfire reporting system. 705
firefighters received wildland fire training. 95 volunteer fire departments received equipment and training
grants. State-distributed fire equipment under the Federal Excess Personal Property Program acquisitions
totaled $104,000, and through the DOD Fire Fighter Property program acquisitions totaled $338,436. The
state marked Smokey Bear’s 70th Anniversary with programming at the Ohio State Fair, reaching more
than 40,000 visitors.
Forest Health Protection
Asian longhorned beetle was found in Clermont Co. in 2011. As of November 8, 2014, USDA APHIS
removed 13,784 infested trees. The Ohio DNR helps residents replace trees. The Ohio Department of
Agriculture continued treatment in the Slow the Spread transition zone with four types of treatments in
2014. A total of 5,470 acres were treated with chemical larvacide treatments. Disrupt II mating disruption
was applied to 120,073 acres.
Forest Legacy
The Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest Project is a center for forestry education for landowners and
natural resource professionals. In 2014, a partnership led by the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative held a
workshop, "Managing Forest Birds: A Workshop for Land Managers", at Vinton Furnace for natural
resource professionals, based on recent publications stemming from years of research at Vinton Furnace
and other nearby sites. The Forest continues to support diverse forestry research. For example, fourteen
vernal pools were installed in 2014 for university researchers studying native salamanders.
Landowner Assistance
The Ohio Division of Forestry has partnered with 5 organizations to develop 5 woodland demonstration
sites that are or will soon be open to the public. These sites give local landowners information about how
to maintain healthy woodlands and enhance woodland benefits. They can learn about native plants,
woodland wildlife, invasive plants, habitat enhancement, and invasive plant control techniques. The sites
will be available for outdoor field days and workshops, as most have already been used this past year.
Urban and Community Forestry
For the 33rd year, Ohio led the US in the number of Tree City USA communities with 244 cities, villages,
and townships. The Tree Canopy Enhancement Program provided 596 trees to residential owners to help
restore Clermont Co.’s lost tree canopy from the Asian longhorned beetle eradication program. ODNR
Page 2 of 3
Information last updated: 1/30/2015 10:54 AM
Report prepared: 2/3/2015 12:47 PM
Ohio FY 2015
provides training for Tree Commissions throughout Ohio. To date, 731 citizens in 230 communities have
registered for the program, impacting over 4.2 million Ohioans.
Wood Education & Resource Center
WERC collaborated with the Chillicothe VAMC to host an open house for National Biomass Energy Day
on October 22. NA S&PF Director Tony Ferguson initiated an op-ed which was picked up by newspapers
locally in Chillicothe, in the Columbus Dispatch, and in several other media outlets in the Northeast.
For more information, please contact:
Ohio DNR - Division of
Forestry
Robert L Boyles
State Forester
1855 Fountain Square Court,
H-1
Columbus, OH 43224
614-265-6699
[email protected]
Northeastern Area S&PF
Tony Ferguson
Director
USDA Forest Service
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200
Newtown Square, PA 19073
610-557-4103
[email protected]
Page 3 of 3