MORGAN COUNTY — It's not something that happens every day. In fact, it hasn't happened in Indiana in 67-years.
The state announced the establishment of not one, but two state forests Friday.
Governor Holcomb and various state officials cut the ribbon for the Ravinia State Forest, near Paragon in Morgan County. And east of Nashville, Mountain Tea State Forest got its christening.
Ravinia encompasses 1,500 acress of wooded rolling hills, valleys and restored cropland. Mountain Tea has more than 1,150 acres.
In one day, Indiana went from 13 to 15 state forests. "There's no better way for Hoosiers to get out and get some fresh Indiana air than by exploring our state’s parks, recreation areas, fish and wildlife areas, and our 158,000 acres of public state forests," said Governor Holcomb.
Recreation opportunities at the new state forests include wildlife viewing, hiking, and gathering wild berries, nuts, and mushrooms. Hunting is also permitted in state forests.
“This is the first time in 67 years that we have created new state forests,” said Dan Bortner, director of the Department of Natural Resources. “As with all our properties, we know Hoosiers and our guests will be able to find solace and inspiration in these woods for generations to come.”
“This year, our foresters have been hard at work, planting more than 16,000 new trees at Mountain Tea State Forest and 38,000 trees at Ravinia State Forest,” said John Seifert, director of the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.
"More than 700 acres of Mountain Tea State Forest, formerly managed by The Nature Conservancy, was acquired by the state in 2013, with the assistance of the U.S. Forest Service. Additional acreage was purchased in 2009 from private land owners.
Ravinia State Forest was acquired through the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Crossroads 2000 fund.
