![\"River](\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Urbanwoodlots.jpg\")
\u200bHistorically, forests dominated the land of Indiana, covering about 85% of Indiana prior to European contact and settlement. However, now less than 25% of our forested areas remain\u2014and more than 85% of those areas are privately owned.<\/p>\n
Urban woodlots are steadily in decline, both in number and size. The development of businesses and residential areas, highway construction and expansion and increases in cropland are all causes of destruction and reduction\u00a0of these\u00a0woodlots. When\u00a0privately owned woodlots\u00a0drop\u00a0below 10 acres in size, they receive\u00a0much less support and can’t qualify for the Classified Forest and Wildlands<\/a> program through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, forcing their\u00a0owners to manage them on\u00a0their own.<\/p>\n Owners of woodlots of all sizes\u00a0can help protect and improve them with good management and stewardship practices. Adding trees and other plant life, taking care of diseases and other pests and harvesting products when needed are all great steps towards urban woodlot preservation.<\/p>\n The benefits of urban woodlots don’t just help their owners but the entire community around them. Forested areas reduce the impact of rainfall on land, decreasing flooding, erosion and the removal of topsoil. The quality of water is improved as sediment and pollutants are filtered out. Soil is added as plants decay. Air is improved as plants soak in carbon dioxide and other unwanted chemicals. Trees provide shade and reduce wind speed, reducing the need for burning fuel. And of course, woodlots provide habitats that many animals depend on.<\/p>\n Urban woodlots really are crucial for our environment. As it decreases around us, it is important that we know what we can do to protect and improve\u00a0what we have left. Owners of private urban woodlots must stay informed to keep their property not only beneficial to them economically, but beneficial to our society as a whole.<\/p>\n For more information,\u00a0view\u00a0the free publication\u00a0download titled\u00a0Indiana’s Urban Woodlots<\/a>.<\/p>\n Resources<\/b>
\nIndiana’s Urban Woodlots<\/a>, The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
\nUrban Forestry – Got Nature?<\/a>, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
\nThe Indiana Woodlot Owner Series<\/a>, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
\nIndiana Arborist Association<\/a>\u00a0(IAA)<\/p>\n