Forest Banks in Indiana
Professional assistance is available to help with private forest management.
What is a Forest Bank?
The Forest Bank is a conservation alternative from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Indiana to conserve working woodlands while preserving opportunities for recreation, wildlife habitat, natural beauty and solitude.
How does a forest bank work?
Woodlands enrolled in the Forest Bank remain private property. Landowners can still hike, hunt, fish, cut firewood and use their woodland just as they normally would as long as the health and growth of the forest is not hampered.
TNC works with the landowner to develop a sustainable management plan for the property that meets the landowner's objectives as well as TNC’s ecological objectives.
The Nature Conservancy then implements the management plan, generating income for the landowner and ecological benefits for songbirds, threatened and endangered species, woodland wildlife and people.
The Forest Bank gives a landowner access to the expertise of foresters, biologists, botanists and other Nature Conservancy scientists to help with land management.
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The Forest Bank gives a landowner access to the expertise of foresters, biologists, botanists and other TNC scientists to help with land management.
Working Woodlands for People and Nature
The Nature Conservancy has been working in Indiana for more than 60 years to protect our state's natural heritage. During our 60 years, we've helped purchase and protect land for state parks, state forests, the Hoosier National Forest and local land trusts.
In 2002 we started helping private landowners in Indiana sustainably manage their woods for wildlife, timber and the conservation of threatened and endangered species.
We would be happy to answer any questions you might have about forest and wildlife management, timber harvesting, invasive plant control, estate planning or just join you for a walk in the woods to identify trees, plants and birds.
Whether you own your woodland for hiking, hunting, timber management, wildlife management, bird watching or simply as a family legacy, professional assistance makes woodland ownership even more satisfying.
Learn More about The Forest Bank
The Forest Bank offers 10- and 30-Year Agreements. Learn more with this Forest Bank Fact Sheet.
Forest Bank Facts
- There are currently about 8,000 acres and 60 landowners enrolled in the Forest Bank in 12 counties in Indiana.
- The Forest Bank is certified sustainable through the Classified Forest and Wildlands Program by the Forest Stewardship Council® FSC®-C012858.
- The Forest Bank provides an annual financial return from the forest while protecting critical habitat for plants, animals and natural communities.
- The Forest Bank began in 2002 and is backed by more than 60 years of professional land management by The Nature Conservancy in Indiana.
- The Forest Bank gives a landowner access to the expertise of foresters, biologists, botanists and other Nature Conservancy scientists to manage woodlands for biodiversity.