To support existing three person forest health management crew at strategic locations in the forested portion of the state invasive plant control

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R9-Eastern Region awarded the Department of Natural Resources, State of Ohio Division of Forestry $791,587 on June 5, 2026, under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) to support invasive plant control and forest health management across state forest lands in Ohio.

The award funds a three-person forest health management crew deployed at strategic locations to treat 1,500 acres of state forest lands for non-native invasive plant species. Additional work includes precommercial timber stand treatments such as timber stand improvement, crop tree release, and prescribed fire to promote oak regeneration and control undesirable plant species. The funding also supports a web-based data collection and reporting system and drone coverage for collecting imagery related to invasive species detection and monitoring, fire, and urban forestry programs.

Performance runs through June 4, 2031, with work performed in Ohio. The Cooperative Forestry Assistance program supports forest management and conservation on nonfederal forest and rural lands through partnerships with state agencies, private landowners, and other stakeholders to advance healthy forests and livable communities.

Where non-native invasive plants will be treated 1,500 acres of state forest lands. Additional work may include other precommercial treatments (such as timber stand improvement, crop tree release, and prescribed fire) to promote OAK regeneration and control undesirable plant species. Also providing support and continued improvements for a web-based data collection and reporting system. Drone coverage for collecting imagery related to invasive species detection and monitoring, fire, and urban programs.