Forest Legacy Areas
The DNR Division of Forestry is accepting nominations for Forest Legacy parcels within the designated Legacy Areas. Area descriptions are below map.
Northwest Morainal Area
A portion of LaPorte and Porter Counties has been identified as a Forest Legacy Area. The remaining forests of this area represent the diminishing northwest morainal forest type, and provide wildlife habitat, recreation, aesthetic values and community greenspace. The continuing expansion of the suburban residential area, industrial areas and utility corridors were noted in including this area in the Forest Legacy Program.
Maumee River Basin
Allen County, and portions of Dekalb, Noble and Whitley Counties, have been identified as a Forest Legacy Area. The forests of this area provide not only timber and wildlife habitat, but also extensive recreation and watershed protection. The continued expansion of the City of Fort Wayne and the development along interstate corridors were noted in including this area.
Shawnee Hills-Flatrock Basin
All of Monroe, Morgan and Brown Counties, plus portions of Johnson, Bartholomew, Jackson, Lawrence, Greene and Owen Counties, have been identified as a Forest Legacy Area. The rich forests of this area provide many public values including watershed protection, timber resources, scenic and recreation values, threatened and endangered species habitat, other fish and wildlife habitat and karst system protection. The continuing expansion of the metropolitan Indianapolis, Bloomington and Columbus areas were noted in selecting this area for inclusion in the Forest Legacy Program.
Bluegrass Area
Dearborn and Ohio Counties, along with portions of Franklin and Ripley Counties, have been identified as a Forest Legacy Area. This area contains extensive forests that provide wildlife habitat, timber, scenic resources and watershed protection. The area also has a rich diversity of historic resources and rural landscapes. Increasing expansion of metropolitan Cincinnati, development pressures from riverboats and the presence of interstate highway corridors were noted in the decision to include this area as a Forest Legacy Area.
Blue River Basin-Knobs Escarpment
Clark, Floyd and Harrison Counties, along with portions of Crawford, Washington and Scott Counties, have been designated as a Forest Legacy Area. Resource values such as timber production, unique fish and wildlife habitat, scenic values, geologic and topographic resources and extensive cultural and historic resources, coupled with the increased threat of conversion caused by the expansion of metropolitan Louisville and development associated with riverboat gaming were noted in including these areas in the Forest Legacy Program.
Southwest Bottomland Forests
Posey and Vanderburgh Counties, along with a portion of Warrick County, have been designated as a Forest Legacy Area. Such resource values as the diminishing bottomland forest types, unique fish and wildlife habitat and extensive cultural and historic resources, coupled with the increased expansion of metropolitan Evansville, were noted in proposing this area for participation in the Forest Legacy Program.
For more information about the Forest Legacy Program contact:
Brenda Huter
Forest Legacy Coordinator
402 W. Washington St. Room W296
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-232-0142
FAX: 317-233-3863
bhuter@dnr.IN.gov