Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest & State Wildlife Area
The establishment of Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest in 2010 is a great example of the Fund’s ongoing effort to conserve America’s forestland. We were part of a collaboration of public and private organizations that had worked together for four years to establish the 12,089-acre Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest as well as the neighboring 3,405-acre Vinton Furnace State Wildlife Area.
Vinton is Ohio’s newest state forest but has been the site of ongoing forest research for more than 50 years. Located 75 miles southeast of Columbus, the forest is one of the most biologically diverse woodlands in the country and is home not only to the state’s largest known population of bobcats, but also black bears, timber rattlesnakes, cerulean warblers and several rare plant species.
“The Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest and Wildlife Area represents an innovative model for conservation that will play a vital role in improving southeast Ohio’s economy while protecting wildlife and furthering educational research,” said Governor Ted Strickland.
The conservation of this land adds to our previous work in Ohio, where, since 1985, we have protected more than 120,000 acres.