Ohio State Forests - a Long History of Birth and Re-Growth

The Science Cafe welcomes John Dorka, Retired Chief, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Foresty, who will present Ohio State Forests - a Long History of Birth and Re-Growth in 165 Thompson Library.

The Ohio State Forest System was born more than a century ago, at a time when Ohio’s forests had been under siege. The first state forest lands were acquired in 1915 in Vinton and Lawrence Counties. Since then, the system has grown to 20 state forests covering more than 200,000 acres and providing a bounty of products and benefits available to all Ohioans. The presentation will discuss the history of forestry and the state forest system in Ohio, the threats that caused their rise and the management that has taken place from the start. It will focus on the important role that The Ohio State University played in the early years of the state forest system and the connections that exist today.

John Dorka is Retired Chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. Starting as a field forester in Blue Rock State Forest in Southeast Ohio, John held numerous positions at the forest, district and state level with the DOF before being appointed Chief in 2003. After his retirement from the DOF, he served as Executive Director of the Ohio Forestry Association from 2008 to 2016.