State forest adds 51 acres in Greene County for permanent protection with funding support from blue environmental license plate
Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the acquisition of 51 acres of land that will become the newest addition to Martin State Forest, strengthening long-term conservation efforts and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities in southern Indiana.
“Preserving Indiana’s natural places is a priority,” said Gov. Braun. “This addition to Martin State Forest protects this land in southern Indiana now and for future generations, allowing Hoosier families to enjoy a special part of Indiana’s scenic beauty for many years to come.”
The newly acquired property is located along Taylor Ridge Road in southeast Greene County. It fills a three-sided inholding in the existing state forest and increases its total size to 9,735 acres. The addition features a mixed young forest from reverting agricultural fields and mixed aged hardwood forest. It provides new space for public hunting and sustainable forest management. DNR will begin updating boundary markings and including this land in the forest’s resource management planning.
The property was acquired for $270,000, including $243,000 through the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust and $27,000 in matching funds from the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation Tree Fund.
The President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust is primarily funded through the sale of the blue environmental license plate and works to ensure that Indiana’s rich natural heritage is preserved for future generations. Since 1992, DNR has used proceeds from the Environmental Plate to purchase and protect more than 74,000 acres of land on behalf of all Hoosiers.
Martin State Forest was established in 1932 with the purchase of 1,205 acres. Most of the land was eroding, abandoned farmland or heavily cut-over woodland when acquired. A fire tower and a small picnic area were soon built. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps built several shelter houses. Three fishing ponds were constructed in 1957. Each pond measures 3 to 4 acres. In the mid-1960s a 26-site, primitive campground was developed.
The forest has grown over the years through additional land purchases, trades with the U.S. Forest Service, and the transfer of I-69 mitigation properties from the Indiana Department of Transportation. With years of sustainable forest management, including the planting of thousands of trees, countless hours fighting wildfires, and hundreds of acres of selective improvement harvests, the area has been transformed into a lush, healthy, growing forest.
“Protecting land for conservation remains central to the mission of the DNR,” said Alan Morrison, DNR director. “One of the simplest ways Hoosiers can support projects like this at Martin State Forest and across the state is by choosing the blue environmental license plate, as all funds generated directly support land conservation efforts.”
A map of the new land is available here. For more information about Martin State Forest, visit on.IN.gov/MartinSF, and for more information on Indiana’s Environmental License Plate, visit on.IN.gov/EnviroPlate.