LOCAL WOODLAND OWNER RECEIVES
RICHLAND COUNTY WOODLAND STEWARDSHIP AWARD
PERRYSVILLE, OH - Local woodland owner Reese Mills, of Mansfield, has been named recipient of the 2005 Richland County Woodland Stewardship Award, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry.
The award recognizes individuals or organizations that demonstrate sound conservation practices while incorporating proper woodlot management decisions to protect the environment.
“A beautiful, bountiful woodland can remain that way if care is taken to improve and protect the renewable resources within,” said John Dorka, chief of the Division of Forestry.
Working with ODNR Division of Forestry Service Forester John Jolliff, Mills learned to implement conservation practices to protect the environment during his forest management activities.
Some of the proper forest stewardship practices Mills conducted on his woodlands on Hasting East Road and Gladden Road include grapevine control, removing undesirable trees, crop tree release, and creating a selective, sustainable hardwood harvest plan. Mills also completed a properly managed salvage harvest on approximately 15-20 acres after the January 2005 ice storm.
The ODNR Division of Forestry manages 20 state forests on more than 185,000 acres, spanning parts of 21 counties. Using Best Management Practices (BMPs), state foresters demonstrate proper timber management within these forests. Benefits of these properly managed forests include timber, improved forest health, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and recreational opportunities.
Ohioans can help with protection of state forests and private woodlands. Wildfire prevention and education efforts are supported through the ODNR Division of Forestry by sales of Smokey Bear license plates which can be purchased through local deputy registrar offices, on the Internet at OPLATES.COM, or by calling toll free 1-888-PLATES3 (752-8373).