ODNR News Releases - Two Former ODNR Employees Honored with Tree Planting at the Zaleski State Forest


Two Former ODNR Employees Honored with Tree Planting at the Zaleski State Forest Sep 30 Written by: news editor 9/30/2011 1:00 AM John Dorka and the late Mack Decker were honored today for their contributions to the ODNR, Division of Forestry. COLUMBUS, OH – John Dorka and the late Mack Decker were honored today for their contributions to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Forestry. Two trees were planted during a ceremony at the Forest of Honor located in Zaleski State Forest. An Ohio buckeye tree was planted in the Chief’s Grove of the Forest of Honor as a tribute to John Dorka, former chief of ODNR Division of Forestry. John is currently the Executive Director of the Ohio Forestry Association. “John is an outstanding forester with a great understanding of field work as well as administration and industry,” said Robert Boyles, state forester and chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry. “While chief of our division, he was instrumental in developing and guiding legislative changes in the timber revenue formula to allow the division to recoup the costs of timber management.” A hackberry tree was planted in the Employee’s Grove of the Forest of Honor in tribute to the late Mack Decker, former forest manager at Zaleski State Forest. “Mack worked out of Dean and Brush Creek state forests before becoming forest manager of Zaleski,” said Boyles. “He took great pride in Zaleski State Forest, ensuring that it remained an important and appreciated part of the local community.” Zaleski State Forest is Ohio’s second largest state-owned forest, covering more than 27,000 acres. It is located in southeast Ohio, in Vinton and Athens counties. Ohio grows more acres of trees than corn and soybeans combined. The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit the Division of Forestry’s web site at www.ohiodnr.com/forestry. The ODNR ensures a balance between the wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com. - 30 - For more information, contact: Drew Todd, ODNR Division of Forestry 614. 265. 6707 Jason Fallon, ODNR Office of Communications 614. 265. 6842 Trackback Print Location: Blogs ODNR NEWS Forestry Tags: