The Ohio Interagency Forestry Team: Partnering to Enhance Resiliency through Shared Stewardship

Appalachian Ohio's oak-hickory forests are at a tipping point for a number of reasons including poor timber harvesting practices, lack of active management, absence of fire, and an increase in non-native invasive species. The Ohio Interagency Forestry Team was formed in 2008, to address this decline and other forest health issues. Initially member agencies included the USDA Forest Service (Northern Research Station, Wayne NF, State and Private Forestry Morgantown Field Office), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife). More recently, Ohio State University and Central State University Extension programs joined the effort and are leading the outreach efforts of the Ohio Interagency Forestry Team. The team is demonstrating the power of agencies aligning values and goals and working collaboratively to conserve our oak-hickory ecosystems through shared stewardship. We are accomplishing this through science-based and economically viable forest management. Since 72 percent of the forest acreage in the region is owned by individuals and families, we are placing emphasis on outreach and education that encourages the sustainable management of forest resources. We are working with Yale University and their TELE (Tools for Engaging Landowners Effectively) team to develop a targeted marketing and communications strategy to effectively engage woodland owners and the Appalachian community. With the help of TELE we developed the tagline: "The future of oak is in our hands," which we plan to incorporate in all of our marketing, outreach and engagement efforts. We are now using the targeted marketing and communications plan to support and expand outreach programs, such as, A DAY in the WOODS. Since 2012, A DAY in the WOODS has provided 55 day-long programs reaching 2,250 family forest owners who own more than 120,000 acres of woodlands in the region. By working collaboratively, we have been able to leverage our limited resources, in the form of staffing, finances, infrastructure, and expertise. In addition to the existing outreach and management efforts, the Interagency Team is continually seeking other partners to enhance our ability to conduct applied social-science and natural resources-related research. We also plan to expand capacity through internships and service learning projects in the region. This strong collaborative effort is beginning to improve our collective capacity to sustain Appalachian Ohio's valuable forest resources.