Forest Management

Forested areas provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species ranging from wild turkeys and white-tailed deer to cerulean warblers and eastern red-back salamanders. These species have a wide range of habitat requirements and thus may benefit from different habitat management practices. Private landowners have many tools available to them to manage habitat for wildlife including timber harvest, invasive species control, prescribed fire, and snag creation.

This section will cover information about the following topics:

  • Forest Management for Wildlife
  • Forest Management for Deer
  • Forest Management for Birds
  • Forest Management for Gamebirds

Check out the ten Woodland Stewardship for Landowners' videos as they share how to get the most out of your property to meet your wildlife, recreational, aesthetic or economic goals, some type of regular management is necessary.

Resources

FNR-596-W Managing Your Woods For White-Tailed Deer
Cover for Oak-Hickory Ecosystem Publication
Forest Stewardship Practices for Oak-Hickory Ecosystems in Indiana

Wildlife Habitat Hint: Oak Shelterwood

 

Woodland Stewardship for Landowners - 10 videos in YouTube WSL Playlist

Forestry for the Birds Virtual Tour

Forestry for the Birds is a collection of resources developed by the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, which provides foresters and private landowners with the information and tools needed to enhance their forests for birds. 

The Forestry for the Birds resources focus on the "Birders' Dozen," a set of 12 bird species that nest in Indiana, are easy to identify, and need conservation action.

You can learn more about the Forestry for the Birds program and explore how the Birders' Dozen and other bird species respond to forest management by viewing the Forestry for the Birds Virtual Tour below.