Let the Sun Shine In Indiana Launches New Website
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Open the forest canopy to let the sunshine hit the forest floor, and watch a transformation unfold. Native grasses, forbs and flowers emerge; pollinators materialize; oak-hickory ecosystems flourish and regenerate; and a wide-array of wildlife species respond almost immediately. These are just some of the many benefits realized when forests are managed to let more sunlight hit the forest floor. Let the Sun Shine In Indiana’s new website is set to help inform about all of the benefits of letting the sunshine in.
Recognizing the significant challenges facing Indiana’s oak and hickory forests and the wildlife that depend on these systems, a collective group of concerned conservation groups and agencies founded the Let the Sun Shine In Initiative in Indiana. Professional wildlife biologists, foresters, and resource managers from various organizations — such as the NWTF, the American Bird Conservancy, the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife and numerous other partners (see below) — support this collaborative multi-year effort. The initiative now has a new webpage (letthesunshinein-indiana.com) designed to engage, educate and welcome people to the benefits of managed forest ecosystems.
“Private landowners own 83% of the forested land in Indiana,” said Judith Brown, Let the Sun Shine In coordinator. “Our goal for the website is reaching these forest landowners and encouraging them to help restore and maintain the oak-hickory ecosystem across southern Indiana. Through this webpage — and field days, programs, and demonstration areas — we invite all landowners to learn all about our forests, and how to sustain them for the next generations to enjoy."
The Let the Sun Shine In Initiative began in Illinois over a decade ago, and across the state line in Indiana, LSSI is gaining traction. While managing forests to allow more sun on the forest floor is vital to the initiative, another important component is educating and building social license to manage forests.
“We’re really trying to emphasize education and outreach as much as management through LSSI in Indiana,” said Ryan Boyer, NWTF district biologist for Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. “Through communicating to the public and our legislators that managed forests are healthy forests, we hope to help reverse the loss of important forests species like oak and hickory and bolster support for wildlife that rely on healthy forest systems and periodic disturbance to support their life-cycle requirements. When biologists and foresters prescribe management such as a commercial timber harvest, it is largely based on mimicking natural events like windstorms, ice storms, tornados and periodic wildfires. Native American tribes understood the importance of regenerating desirable species by using fire to set back the succession of others. Humans have had a significant impact on the landscape to a level and degree that requires us to actively monitor and manage our forests continually to promote forest and wildlife health and ensure human safety. The new website will be critical in helping educate, collaborate and ultimately do more of this important work."
In addition to the aforementioned partners, LSSI-Indiana partners include Central Hardwoods Joint Venture, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owner’s Association (and Foundation), Indiana Prescribed Fire Council, JT Brickyard Timberland LLC, The Nature Conservancy, Purdue University, Sam Shine Foundation, Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape, State of Indiana Cooperative of Invasives Management, Ruffed Grouse Society/ American Woodcock Society, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Women4theLand.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.