2023 Impact Report

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6 | Our 2023 Impact

Old-Growth Forest

Saved & Preserved

In 2023, 96 acres of Rowe Woods

were ofcially certified as old-growth

forest. Ohio now has more parcels of

land certified as old-growth forest

than any other state in the nation.

OLD-GROWTH FORESTS

In April 2023, Cincinnati Nature Center was inducted into

the Old-Growth Network, a national network of protected

old-growth forests. During the induction, 96 acres of

Rowe Woods was ofcially certified as old-growth forest.

This recognition is an important metric by which we can

evaluate our land stewardship practices.

CALENDAR AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

While the age of a forest could be measured by

the number of years it has been in existence, this

measurement doesn’t quite capture the entire story of

why an old-growth forest is “old”. Although old-growth

forests should contain trees that are at least 150 years old,

they also need:

• A diverse assortment of small and medium-sized trees

creating a layered forest canopy

• Many large logs and snags providing habitat

for wildlife

• An array of wildflowers, grasses, sedges, and shrubs in

the understory

In other words, “old-growth” is not simply a reflection of

age, it’s also a reflection of ecological character.

OHIO’S HISTORY OF DEFORESTATION

The existence of old-growth forests in Ohio is somewhat

of a miracle. Beginning in the late 1700s, a series of

questionable treaties between the state and indigenous

tribes led to rampant clearcut logging to make room

for agriculture and to fuel a booming timber industry. In

fact, by the end of the 19th century, Ohio had earned the

dubious distinction of being the fourth highest timber-

producing state in the nation. We were so successful, in

fact, that by 1940, Ohio was no more than 10% forested

(3-million acres).

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

After World War II and continuing throughout the 70s,

there was increasing public interest in forest conservation

and outdoor recreation. State agencies like the Ohio

Department of Natural Resources and the Division of

Natural Areas & Preserves were created to reclaim and

replant previously clearcut land. These eforts have

increased forest cover in Ohio today to 30%, or just over

8-million acres. Excitingly, Ohio now has more acres of

old-growth forest than any other state in the nation.

Our inclusion in the Old-Growth Network is an honor, and

from a practical perspective, it means that we’re doing a

good job, and it confirms that we should continue to place

high priority on protecting our forests.

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