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The Wayne National Forest will host three open house sessions, one on each of its three units, in February and March. 

“In the five months I have served on the Wayne National Forest, I have been impressed with the work accomplished by forest staff, partners, and volunteers;“ said Forest Supervisor Carrie Gilbert. “I welcome members of the public to meet me and learn about the work occurring in their national forest.”

Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with Wayne National Forest Supervisor Carrie Gilbert and learn about the programs and projects dedicated to achieving the mission of the U.S. Forest Service, “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.”

All open house meeting times will be 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Locations and dates are as follows:

• Tuesday, Feb. 25: Ironton Unit: Riffe Rotunda, Ohio University Southern, 1804 Liberty Avenue, Ironton, OH 45638
• Thursday, Feb. 27: Marietta Unit: Frontier High School Cafeteria, 44870 Ohio State Route 7, New Matamoras, OH 45767; 
• Tuesday, March 3: Athens Unit: Wayne National Forest Headquarters and Welcome Center, 13700 US Highway 33, Nelsonville, OH 45764

The meetings will be free and open to the public.

Supervisor Gilbert will deliver a State of the Forest presentation at 6 pm during each open house session. Members of the public will have an opportunity to learn about last year’s accomplishments and this year’s priorities, including the forest plan revision process, active forest management, collaboration efforts, and enhanced recreation and tourism.

Following the presentation, tables will be set up to provide information and answer questions about Wayne National Forest programs, including general information, recreation, natural resources (wildlife, botany, forest management), operations (lands, engineering, minerals), fire, forest plan revision, and volunteer opportunities.

About the U.S. Forest Service: The U.S. Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the country’s 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Its public lands contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year and provide 20 percent of the country’s clean water supply. For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us