Indiana Forest Stakeholder Summit at four sites

Indiana DNR Release:

Public is invited to meetings starting June 24

The results of a survey of forest stakeholders in Indiana that was completed June 1 will be presented to the public at four meetings collectively called the Indiana Forest Stakeholder Summit, starting June 24, in Wabash.

The other meetings are scheduled soon thereafter in Indianapolis, Bloomington and Huntingburg. Dates and sites of all meetings are listed below.

North East
The Honeywell Center, 275 W Market St., Wabash
Wednesday, June 24, 6–8 p.m.

North Central
Indiana Farm Bureau, 225 South East St., Indianapolis (enter through parking garage)
Thursday, June 25, 6–8 p.m.

South Central
City Council Chambers, 401 N Morton St., Bloomington
Tuesday, June 30, 6–8 p.m.

South
Huntingburg Event Center, 110 E. 14th St., Huntingburg
Thursday, July 2, 6–8 p.m.

The survey started public dialogue and stakeholder involvement toward developing the first comprehensive assessment of Indiana’s forests—private, public and urban—since the 1980s.

The DNR asks those who plan to attend one of the meetings to e-mail stateassessement@dnr.IN.gov by Tuesday, June 23, but advance notice is not required. Refreshments will be provided. Call (317) 232-4105 with questions about the assessment and the summit.

The survey was sent to conservation employees, researchers, land managers, forest owners and others involved on a daily basis with impacts on Indiana’s forests. Approximately 1,400 people responded. Their input is helping to determine the level of concern about forest issues in the state.

Issues covered in the survey addressed the composition, distribution, health and biodiversity of Indiana’s forests, which are changing. Changes are likely to be exacerbated as society expands new roles for forests to mitigate climate change.

More information about this Statewide Forest Resource Assessment can be found at
http://www.IN.gov/dnr/forestry/5436.htm.