CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Residents can weigh in on how the state manages more than 200,000 acres of forestland at a public open house in Chillicothe on Sept. 2, one of three sessions the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry is holding this year to gather feedback on its draft Annual Work Plan for State Forests.
The Chillicothe session, hosted by the division’s Southern District office, runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 345 Allen Avenue. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and take public comment on planned management activities across two dozen state forests statewide, including recreation, aesthetic value, invasive species treatment, prescribed burning, and timber cruising and harvesting, according to ODNR.
“Our state forests provide life-sustaining benefits to all Ohioans, and we value the opportunity to hear directly from the public,” ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser said in a statement. “These open houses are a chance for people to learn about planned management activities, talk with forestry professionals, and provide feedback that helps shape the future of Ohio’s state forests.”
The Chillicothe open house is one of three ODNR is holding this year for its three forestry districts. A Southeastern District session is scheduled for Monday at the division’s Athens headquarters, 360 E. State St., and a Northern District session is set for Sept. 3 at the Findlay headquarters, 952 Lima Ave. Both run the same 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. hours. People with questions about the Chillicothe meeting can call 740-774-1596.
Residents who cannot attend in person may submit written comments by emailing [email protected] through Oct. 5, after which the division will finalize the plan, according to the agency. The draft 2026-2027 Annual Work Plan for State Forests is posted on the Division of Forestry’s website.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
