because with sunshine, comes life!
The Oak-Hickory Ecosystem is in Trouble Across Southern Indiana!
The Oak-Hickory Ecosystem is slowly disappearing from the landscape. And with it, we are losing our forest songbirds. Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana is a collaboration focused on recovering and maintaining Oak-Hickory Ecosystems across southern Indiana.
The Oak-Hickory Ecosystem supports diverse plant and animal communities, sequesters carbon, and provides clean water and air. Oak trees are so valuable to this ecosystem. They provide vital habitat for countless birds, insects, and other wildlife species, and contribute to the overall well-being of the environment.
Action must be taken today to restore this ecosystem! Click the link below to learn more about recovering and maintaining Oak-Hickory Ecosystems across southern Indiana.
We’re Taking Action: Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana
Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana (LSSI) is a collaboration focused on recovering and maintaining Oak-Hickory Ecosystems across southern Indiana. We focus on communication, outreach and education, and science-based management aimed at recovering and maintaining healthy oak-hickory ecosystems across the landscape.
We Can Help Restore and Maintain the Oak-Hickory Ecosystem!
Oak-hickory woodlands, with open canopies, sparse midstories, and rich plant and animal communities, were maintained for thousands of years by Native American burning. Natural disturbance events such as wind and ice storms, tornadoes, and damage caused by massive flocks of Passenger Pigeons also helped maintain the ecosystem. Indiana’s forests developed for thousands of years under a regime of disturbance. Since the early 1900’s, the amount of disturbance to our forests has greatly diminished. This has resulted in the decline of the oak-hickory ecosystem. Without disturbance, this decline will continue.
Our mission is to work collaboratively to restore and maintain the health of Indiana’s oak-hickory ecosystems for future generations. We work together to ensure that this invaluable ecosystem continues to thrive across the landscape.
Resources
Private Landowner Involvement is Critical to Restoring and Maintaining Oak-Hickory Ecosystems.
Learn How To Be a Steward of Your Forest
Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana offers field events, training sessions, and on-the-ground forest management demonstration areas for people to visit. Our partners offer science-based forest management information, planning assistance, and financial incentives to assist landowners to meet their oak-hickory management goals. We invite you to be a part of this important mission. Working together, we can ensure that Indiana’s oak forests continue to thrive, enriching our lives and the environment.
Forest Stewardship Practices for Oak-Hickory Ecosystems in Indiana
Various forest management practices can be used to restore and enhance the oak-hickory ecosystem. This publication provides an introduction to these practices and helps landowners decide which are appropriate for their properties.
LSSI Indiana Forest Stewardship Collaborative Management Plan
A key component of the LSSI strategy for restoring and maintaining functional oak-hickory ecosystems in southern Indiana is working collaboratively with partners in focal areas called Forest Stewardship Collaboratives (FSC). The linked document facilitates and guides management of Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana FSC across southern Indiana.
Meet Indiana’s Songbirds: The Indiana Birder’s Dozen Pocket Guide
Many bird species are declining with the loss of the forests and woodlands that they call home. The Central Hardwoods Joint Venture and The Nature Conservancy Forestry for the Birds project helps forest landowners learn about birds and their habitats, and provides general management guidelines. The Forestry for the Birds Pocket Guide teaches landowners how to look at their property through the birds’ eyes.
Forestry for the Birds Silviculture Guide
The Silviculture Guide to Forestry for the Birds in Indiana and the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region is the companion piece to the Pocket Guide. The Silviculture Guide goes into greater depth about how to manage forests for birds. It is intended to be a resource used by landowners and foresters to help them integrate the needs of priority songbirds into forest management plans. The Guide also details financial incentive programs to help offset the cost of implementing their forest management plan.
Directory of Professional Indiana Foresters
Eighty-three percent of Indiana’s 4.8 million acres of forest lands are owned by over 200,000 private landholders. Woodland owners control a resource that is vital to Indiana’s economic and social well-being. Indiana has a wood-using industry which employs more than 30,000 Hoosiers and contributes over $10 billion in economic impact to its economy annually. Private lands also support a robust hunting and recreation economy and provide many ecological benefits. Forest management can be an investment, while at the same time woodlands can also provide many other benefits: habitat for wildlife, watershed protection, providing pleasing views, and recreation for landowners, families, and friends. A professional forester has the skill and knowledge to assess privately owned woodlands and develop an appropriate management plan.
Science-Based Forest Management
Silvics is the study of the biology and ecology of trees and forests and the scientific foundation of forestry. Forestry is the art and science of managing forests. Professional foresters use their knowledge of silvics and years of practical experience to manage forest establishment, composition, and growth to achieve specific objectives. Landowners seeking to implement forest management should consult a professional forester for assistance.
Our Partners
Let The Sun Shine In – Indiana focuses on recovering and maintaining oak-hickory ecosystems for the benefit of both the wildlife and the people of southern Indiana. Our public/private collaboration consists of partners with a mutual interest in healthy, sustainable forests and watersheds, and improved wildlife habitat. The partnership educates the public about the benefits of active, science-based forest management. We identify priority areas in need of management, combine resources, and seek additional funding sources to increase regional forest management aimed at restoring oak-hickory ecosystems.