November 23, 2004

NEARLY $2 MILLION GIVEN TO OHIO SCHOOL DISTRICTS
AND THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH “TREES TO TEXTBOOKS” PROGRAM

COLUMBUS, OH – Sixteen Ohio school districts and their corresponding counties will receive more than $1.8 million this year from the sale of timber at Ohio’s State Forests, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry.

Through the division’s “Trees to Textbooks” program, a percentage of the revenues generated from state forest management activities – including timber sales and royalties from the production of minerals, such as oil and gas, on state land – are paid to the local county, township, and school district in which the activity took place.

“While helping keep Ohio’s forests healthy, this program also provides a financial boost to local schools and governments,” said State Forester John Dorka. “We are proud of the significant contribution forest management projects have made to the communities and their governments within these forests.” 

This year, a total of $906,000 to 16 school districts and another $906,000 has been distributed to local governments in 14 Ohio counties.

The Division of Forestry is responsible for managing more than 185,000 acres of state forests across Ohio. Through carefully selected timber management projects, foresters have been able to improve the health, vigor and productivity of state forest lands.

Today, Ohio is more than 30 percent forested, compared to just 12 percent in the early 1900s. In the past 80 years, the ODNR Division of Forestry has planted more than a half billion trees in Ohio, and continues to produce more than 3,000,000 seedlings a year for planting.

All timber management projects on state lands are carefully selected. State forestry experts use these projects to improve the forest’s overall health and diversity, with an eye to its value for recreational opportunities, soil and water conservation and wildlife habitat. When selected trees or areas of woodland are harvested, projects are competitively bid with requirements for sound management practices. All work is conducted by certified companies under strict monitoring.

-30-

For Further Information Contact:
Andy Ware, ODNR Division of Forestry
(614) 265-1089
or
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860