Holcomb announces 2 new state forests
MORGAN COUNTY, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – At a ceremony in Morgan County, Gov. Eric Holcomb has announced the establishment of two new Indiana state forests.
The state says the addition of Ravinia State Forest in Morgan County and Mountain Tea State Forest in Brown County brings the number of officially-designated state forests to 15.
Ravinia State Forest features 1,500 acres of wooded rolling hills, valleys and restored cropland, while Mountain Tea State Forest consists of more than 1,150 acres east of Nashville.
“We could not be more excited to formally designate land to create these new state forests,” said Holcomb. “There’s no better way for Hoosiers to get out and get some fresh Indiana air than by exploring our state’s parks, recreation areas, fish and wildlife areas, and our 158,000 acres of public state forests.”
Holcomb’s office says the state forests offers wildlife viewing and hiking, as well as activities such as gathering wild berries, nuts, and mushrooms and hunting.
“This is the first time in 67 years that we have created new state forests,” said Dan Bortner, director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. “As with all our properties, we know Hoosiers and our guests will be able find solace and inspiration in these woods for generations to come.”
The new state forests also serve as locations for the governor’s Million Trees program, an initiative to plant one million trees by 2025.