United States Department of Agriculture 

Forest 

Service 

Wayne 

National Forest 

05/2018 

FS-R9-092 

WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST ANNUAL REPORT 

Eastern 

Region 
table of contents 

2 Letter From the Forest Supervisor

2 Forest Leadership Team 

3 About the Wayne National Forest 

3 Where We Work

4 USDA Forest Service Mission

5 History of the Wayne National Forest 

6 Managing the Land 

8 Serving the Public

10 Science & Technology 

12 Working Together

A LETTER FROM THE FOREST SUPERVISOR 

Welcome to the Wayne National Forest’s 2017 Annual Report! 

This report highlights the stories and statistics of many projects 

and efforts that were initiated or completed in 2017. We truly 

enjoyed compiling the stories told here. They are a reflection of 

the hard work of our employees in concert with a wide range of 

partners, neighbors, and stakeholders. I want to thank everyone 

that had a hand in getting this important work done. 

Looking ahead toward the next several years, we have four 

areas in which we intend to focus our efforts. These include 

working more collaboratively with a wide range of citizens and 

stakeholders to better manage your national forest, increasing 

the pace and scale of active forest management to address 

the lack of young forests and the loss of native oak and hickory 

on the landscape in southeast Ohio, enhancing recreation 

and tourism in the area, and being a better neighbor through 

improved customer service and community relationships. If you 

have any interest in helping us with these focus areas, please let 

us know.

Thank you for your interest in the Wayne National Forest and 

the work we do together! We are honored to be its stewards in 

our ongoing duty to “caring for the land and serving people.” As 

always, we invite you to connect with your national forests by 

partnering, volunteering, or recreating in these special places. 

Sincerely, 

Tony Scardina 

Forest Supervisor

FOREST LEADERSHIP TEAM 

Tony Scardina – Forest Supervisor

Jason Reed – Athens District Ranger 

Tim Slone – Ironton District Ranger

Will Dienst – Natural Resources Staff Officer

Chris Dahl – Operations Staff Officer

Jarel Bartig – Ohio Interagency Liaison

Ryan Sundberg – Forest Fire Management Officer

Dana Moler – Budget Officer

Gary Chancey – Public Affairs Officer

Regina Martin – Executive Assistant

2 
J FFE ERSON

LICKING GUERNSEY

ABOUT THE WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST 

The Wayne National Forest is located in the Appalachian foothills of southeast Ohio, about an hour’s drive from 

Columbus and within a 2.5 hour drive of Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. It is composed of a patchwork 

ownership of over a quarter million acres and features over 300 miles of trails for hiking, all-terrain vehicle riding, 

mountain biking, and horseback riding. In accordance with the Forest Service’s mission, it is administered for 

an array of sustainable multiple uses, including recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, watersheds, timber, energy 

development, and fire management.

The Wayne National Forest is divided into three units that operate out of two ranger district offices in Nelsonville 

and Ironton, with a field office in Marietta. It is part of the Eastern Region of the USDA Forest Service, which 

stretches from Maine to Missouri to Minnesota, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Eastern Region 

oversees 17 national forests and a tallgrass prairie; it is one of nine administrative regions that report to the 

national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

BELMONT

FRANKIN MUSKINGUM

PICKAWAY

FAIRFIELD PERRY

NOBLE

MORGAN

MONROE

ROSS

HOCKING

ATHENS

WASHINGTON

VINTON

JACKSON

MEIGS

SCIOTO

GALLIA

LAWRENCE

WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY 

COUNTY WHERE WE WORK 

3 

WHERE WE WORK 

STATE BOUNDARY 

COUNTY BOUNDARY 

PIKE
USDA FOREST SERVICE 

MISSION STATEMENT 

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is “to sustain the 

health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests 

and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future

generations.” 

As set forth in law, the mission is to achieve quality land 

management under the sustainable multiple-use concept to meet

the diverse needs of people. It is captured by the agency’s motto: 

“Caring for the Land and Serving People.” 

OUR CORE VALUES AT THE WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST 

A highly inclusive, diverse, and professional workforce with a teamwork approach to 

caring for the land and serving people.

A collaborative approach to citizen engagement and involvement in the use and 

management of their national forest.

Communities and forest visitors that view the Wayne National Forest as a highly valued 

public resource that is critical to their environmental, social, and economic health and

well-being.

An organization that is trusted within our communities by following high standards of

science and work ethics; being objective, transparent, and honest in our work; and

following through with our commitments.

OUR FOCUS AT THE WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST 

FOCUS 1 Putting collaboration and shared stewardship at the forefront of our efforts on all 

issues and topics.

FOCUS 2 Accelerated oak-hickory management with an emphasis on early successional

habitat creation.

FOCUS 3 Enhanced recreation management and tourism.

FOCUS 4 Increasing public service and getting connected with citizens.

4 
HISTORY OF THE 

WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST 

Throughout the 1800s, the hills of southeast Ohio were devastated by the

overexploitation of resources such as timber cutting, intensive farming, and unregulated

mining. By the time of the Great Depression, the landscape was significantly deforested

and eroded, and local farms failed because the soil had been depleted of nutrients. In

1911, Congress passed the Weeks Act, which allowed for the 

purchase of degraded lands in the East to establish

national forests. 

To achieve this goal, the first land that would 

eventually become part of the Wayne National 

Forest was purchased in 1935. A Forest 

Service nursery was established to produce

trees for reforestation, and the Civilian 

Conservation Corps supplied the workers

to accomplish the recovery work. It also

provided jobs for the unemployed. Since

then, the Wayne National Forest has 

grown steadily to reach its current size of

over 244,000 acres. 

Today, the Forest Service actively manages 

the land for multiple uses so that it may

continue to supply all of these needs in a

balanced and sustainable way. Restoration 

work continues on the Wayne National Forest.

5 
managing the land 

Ruffed grouse and woodcock photos 

courtesy of ODNR Division of Wildlife.

KEHOTA VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT 

Wayne National Forest managers plan to harvest planted stands of 

white pines from about 500 acres in Hocking and Perry Counties. The 

purpose is to encourage the regrowth of native hardwood trees such 

as oaks, hickories, black cherries, and yellow poplars. As a first step 

in the project, the managers engaged the public to understand their 

ideas, questions, and concerns. Public response was positive, and 

implementation is planned for the beginning of 2018.

“Prior to being purchased by the USDA Forest Service, the land had 

been degraded by unsustainable timber cutting, intensive farming, 

grazing, strip mining, and underground mining,” said Athens District 

Ranger Jason Reed, who is overseeing the project. “To stabilize the 

eroded hills, early restoration workers of the Wayne National Forest 

and Civilian Conservation Corps planted the rows of white pines. 

Now that the erosion has been halted, our current forest managers 

recommend a new phase in restoring this area: replacing the planted 

white pines with native hardwoods. This is our reasoning behind the 

project.”

The planted pines that will be removed by the Kehota Vegetation 

Management Project offer limited benefits to wildlife. The native 

hardwoods will grow to replace the pines and will provide valuable 

habitat and food sources for animals like ruffed grouse and woodcocks 

pictured on the left, which require this composition on the landscape. 

Insects and diseases that became established in the planted pines will 

also be restrained. Most importantly, the project will create a habitat of 

young, shrubby forest vegetation that is lacking in the area.

9.7 MILES 

of trails – including sections of Archer’s Fork and 

the Buckeye/North Country Trail – were rerouted to 

prevent erosion. Crew members from the Buckeye 

Trail Association and American Conservation 

Experience helped accomplish the work with a 

Jeep grant and federal funding for the 21st Century 

Conservation Service Corps. The Haught Run 

Campground was also decommissioned due to bank 

erosion along the Little Muskingum River.

2 MILES 

of stream habitat were opened with the completion of the

Hune Bridge Campground Stream Crossing Project in

Washington County. The new stream crossing features 

an aluminum arch that allows safe passage for aquatic

organisms. It replaces a shallow ford where vehicles used

to cross a stream, which was a barrier for fish and a safety 

concern for people during times of heavy rainfall.

6 
PRESCRIBED FIRE 

In 2017, Wayne National Forest fire crews used prescribed fire to 

restore a total of 2,452 acres across four project areas in Athens, 

Hocking, Gallia, and Lawrence Counties. Prescribed fire is aforest 

management tool that is used for ecosystem restoration and 

maintenance. It occurs when fire crews intentionally burn a limited area 

under favorable conditions, which helps keep the fire from becoming too 

big and intense. On the Wayne National Forest, fire managers use it to 

clear accumulated brush, decrease shade tolerant trees, increase the 

light that reaches the forest floor, reduce invasive weeds, and promote 

the regeneration of oak and hickory trees.

Historically, the national forest has been dominated by oaks and 

hickories, whose acorns and nuts provide important food sources for 

wildlife. However, its composition is changing due to the lack of oak 

regeneration and an overabundance of shade tolerant trees such 

as maples. For this reason, forest managers want to encourage the 

regrowth of oaks and hickories. This forest type is fire dependent, 

meaning that occasional fires actually help these trees outcompete 

other species like shade-loving maples and beeches.

“The Wayne National Forest has evolved to be able to handle some 

fire,” said Natural Resources Staff Officer Will Dienst. “If we always 

suppress fire and completely remove it from the landscape, it alters the 

national forest’s ecology. Over time, these changes will cause some 

plant and animal species to increase, while others will decline. In order 

to balance these changes, we mimic natural wildfires with prescribed 

fire. It needs to be done under favorable conditions to protect human 

property and infrastructure, and of course, we also want to prevent 

the fire from becoming too intense. But in the long run, some fire is 

necessary for overall forest health.”

5,600 ACRES 

were treated for non-native weeds with 

funding assistance from the National Wild 

Turkey Federation. The treatment of invasive 

weeds improves forest health, assists 

with habitat restoration, and decreases 

competition with native plants. Target invasive 

species included Ailanthus, princess tree, 

autumn olive, bush honeysuckle, privet, 

glossy buckthorn, Japanese barberry, winged 

burning bush, and Oriental bittersweet.

742,000

ACRES

in 12 southeast Ohio counties became protected by the 

national forest with the expansion of its wildfire protection

zone, which more than doubled in size. The Cooperative 

Wildland Fire Management and Stafford Act Response 

Agreement ratified the expansion. In addition, the Wayne 

National Forest dispatched resources to 95 emergency 

incidents across the country, including firefighting efforts in 

western states and hurricane cleanup operations in 

Puerto Rico. 7 
SERVING THE PUBLIC 

NEW HORSEBACK RIDING TRAILS 

Local equestrians are excited because the Wayne National Forest 

is adding new horse riding trails! Three horse trail projects will give 

riders more ways to explore the national forest from their saddles. 

“These projects answer public requests for additional horse routes,” 

said Athens District Ranger Jason Reed. “Equestrian trail users have 

unique needs. Our goal is to create safe and sustainable routes 

designated for that purpose.”

The Wayne National Forest's most prominent new equestrian route 

is the Kinderhook Horse Trail Expansion in Washington County. 

Completed this year, the project added 4.4 miles of new routes to 

the existing 16-mile Kinderhook Horse Trail System. The trails – 

both old and new – are maintained through a partnership with the 

Washington County Chapter of the Ohio Horseman’s Council. “We’re 

very happy with the new Kinderhook Expansion,” said Darrell McKay, 

vice president of the organization. His group contributed about $5,000 

toward the project for a gravel base to stabilize the trail. “We have a 

good working relationship with the Wayne National Forest. We help 

them keep the routes clear, and they help us by providing beautiful 

places to ride. It’s mutually beneficial.”

Other horse trails are being constructed as well. In Monroe County, 

the new Plainview Horse Trail will create 5.3 miles of new routes with 

features that include rock formations and a natural waterfall. A threeacre trailhead parking area will give users hauling horse trailers plenty 

of room to unload and saddle up. The Monroe County Chapter of the 

Ohio Horseman’s Council helped plan and develop this project. The 

Kimble Loop Horse Trail in Lawrence County is also expanding. A new 

2.4-mile section will feature rock shelters and safely reroute horseback 

riders away from traffic along Township Road 198. Partners included 

the Elkins Creek Horse Club and the Lawrence County Chapter of the 

Ohio Horseman’s Council.

1,090 GUESTS 

enjoyed extended Saturday hours at our visitor centers 

over the summer. Many came to buy senior passes 

before the required nationwide price increase went into 

effect at the end of August. A total of 2,886 senior passes 

were sold throughout the year. Remember, day hikes 

are always free on the Wayne National Forest; no pass 

required!

$429,301 

in federal Recreation Trails Program (RTP) funds were 

awarded for off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail maintenance 

projects totaling 78.2 miles. Maintenance work was 

performed on numerous OHV routes, including Bowl and 

Dorr Run Trails in Hocking County, and Hanging Rock, 

Superior, and Pine Creek Trails in Lawrence and Jackson 

Counties. In addition, $10,000 went toward five OHV 

recreation site signs and 600 small trail markers.

8 
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY 

In September, the Wayne National Forest and its partners came 

together for National Public Lands Day, which promotes environmental 

stewardship and the use of public lands for education, recreation, 

and general health. They turned the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area 

into an outdoor classroom for over 550 Lawrence County 4th and 5th 

graders. The Southern Wayne Advocacy Council (SWAC), Rural Action, 

AmeriCorps, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Live Healthy 

Appalachia, Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management District, and 

the Lawrence County Historical Society all helped to make it possible. 

“Some of the kids had never visited a national forest before,” said Jill 

McCleese of SWAC. “They learned a lifelong lesson about the value of 

public lands.” 

The students rotated through 20 different stations around the recreation 

area. They learned about wildfire prevention and recycling from Smokey 

Bear and Woodsy Owl. At other stations, the children learned about 

tree identification and animal tracking from Wayne National Forest 

employees. Biologists from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources 

brought a tank of live native fish. The kids got excited when they used 

butterfly nets to search a streambank; they discovered spiders, crayfish, 

and even salamanders. “This activity is important because it gives kids 

the opportunity to explore in a safe environment with boundaries,” said 

Rural Action’s Joe Brehm, who led the station. “They get to discover 

nature for themselves.”

National Public Lands Day helped children connect with the outdoors. 

The entire event staff felt compelled by the sheer exuberance of the 

children – running, playing, and even rolling downhill on their sides. 

“This kind of event is one of the most rewarding things about working in 

public service,” concluded Acting District Ranger Destiny Chapman at 

the end of the day. “We hope to do it again next year and involve even 

more schools, volunteers, and activity leaders.”

$90,000 

from recreation fees were reinvested in site improvements, in 

accordance with the Recreation Enhancement Act (REA). The 

funds paid for three new vault toilets to be installed at the 

Burr Oak Cove Campground. Through cost savings efforts, 

the national forest was also able to use the funds to replace 

an additional vault toilet at Stone Church Horse Campground, 

saving almost $89,000 in maintenance expenses.

1.9 

million 

dollars 

were distributed to 12 southeast Ohio counties 

that contain national forest lands as payment for 

management activities. The funds are essential 

contributions toward the counties’ overall budgets 

and are used to finance roads and schools.

9 
science & technology 

CONTROLLING INVASIVE AILANTHUS 

The Wayne National Forest is participating in a groundbreaking study 

to control Ailanthus (also called the tree of heaven), an invasive tree 

that is spreading aggressively in Ohio and many other eastern and 

midwestern states. It can displace oaks and other native trees that 

provide important food sources for wildlife. Female trees can produce 

over 300,000 seeds per year. Ailanthus can also reproduce clonally 

by expanding its root system, putting up shoots that grow into new 

genetically identical trees, that are actually part of the same plant. Five 

sites that are heavily infested with Ailanthus are participating in the 

study; one of them is in Washington County.

The study is testing whether a native fungus called Verticillium 

nonalfalfae (VN) could serve as a non-chemical, cost-effective, and 

sustainable way to rein in Ailanthus. The VN fungus occurs naturally 

in North America at low levels, not causing widespread infection 

via airborne spores. However, Ailanthus trees seem to be more 

susceptible to it, particularly when directly injected with a concentrated, 

lab-cultivated dose of fungal spores. Such injections cause the 

invasive trees to wilt and die within 10 – 16 weeks, but also spread to 

nearby Ailanthus clones through their interconnected root system.

The study is showing promise because the VN fungus is successfully 

targeting Ailanthus without significantly affecting native trees 

and plants. “The fungus is native to North America so we are not 

introducing a new exotic organism,” said Dr. Joanne Rebbeck, a 

scientist at the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. 

She has been studying VN’s effects on Ailanthus and other plants. 

However, Dr. Rebbeck added that VN must be tested thoroughly to 

ensure it will not spread to native species before it can be used to 

control Ailanthus. “We want to minimize the effects to plants other than 

Ailanthus,” she said. So far more than 70 native species such as oak, 

hickory, ash, beech, and elm have been tested; only three acquired the 

fungus at very low levels. 

lvouRI 

PASS 1!!0~ 

1,800 

DIGITAL 

PERMITS 

were sold in their first year of availablity. The new online 

Your Pass Now permit program simplifies the process of 

buying permits by allowing trail users the opportunity to 

purchase them online at no additional cost. Vist www. 

yourpassnow.com.

67 

DOWNLOADS 

of the new Wayne National Forest App were completed in 

its first month of availability. Designed for mobile devices, 

the App provides essential information about the national 

forest, including recreational activities and sites, trail 

permits, alerts, maps, news, events, directions, and contact 

information. Visitors can plan their trips with great features 

such as “Things to See,” “Things to Do,” and “Near Me.”

10 
RESEARCH ON BOBCATS & BOX TURTLES 

In 2017, the Wayne National Forest partnered with Ohio University 

to conduct studies on bobcats and box turtles. Dr. Viorel Popescu, 

assistant professor of biological sciences, led the work with his students 

in cooperation with Wildlife Biologist Lynda Andrews. “It’s fortunate 

that Ohio University is located nearby and that its faculty and students 

have such as strong interest in doing research here,” said Andrews. 

“They’re helping us learn about our native wild animals and how they 

are adapting within the landscape.”

In a study to determine the population of bobcats, Dr. Popescu and 

graduate student Heidi Bencin installed about 60 motion-activated 

cameras on the national forest. Scent lures were used to attract

bobcats to the cameras. Hair snares were also used to collect 

fur whenever a bobcat rubbed against the brush-like device. The 

researchers are currently analyzing the fur and camera footage to 

identify individual bobcats and estimate their numbers. The study was 

part of a larger statewide effort that placed field cameras around Ohio.

With graduate student Marcel Weigand, Dr. Popescu also began a twoyear study of the Nelsonville Bypass’s effects on box turtles. Weigand 

is writing his thesis on how the Bypass, which runs through the national 

forest, affects box turtle behavior. He is examining whether the highway 

is acting as a stressor on the turtles and a barrier to their movement. 

The study will also evaluate the success of wildlife underpasses that 

were installed to allow box turtles and other wildlife to cross safely 

below the highway. The researchers hired trained dogs to find 30 local 

box turtles and attached GPS transmitters to them in order to track 

their movements. They will also take small samples from their toenail 

clippings, which will be tested for stress chemicals.

“Collaborating with the Wayne National Forest has been great!” said 

Dr. Popescu. “We hope to continue building this partnership to help 

the Forest Service study other wildlife species, while giving Ohio 

University students a place to do field research. It’s a win-win situation 

for everyone.”

 300

ACRES

that drain to a designated 

priority watershed in Washington 

and Monroe Counties will be 

assessed with the new Wingett 

Run Monitoring Station. The 

equipment will measure stream 

qualities such as flow rate 

and sedimentation to evaluate 

upcoming restoration work 

there. Rural Action and Ohio 

University’s Voinovich School 

of Leadership and Public Affairs 

are partners on the project.

2,000

YEARS

is the approximate age of a Native 

American site being excavated 

at the Monday Creek Watershed, 

through a partnership with

Dr. Paul Patton of Ohio University’s 

Department of Anthropology. 

Researchers found remnants of 

two rectangular buildings with 

interior hearths, storage pits, and 

plant grinding areas. Analysis of 

plant residues showed that its 

residents harvested knotweed, 

maygrass, tobacco, and chenopods

(a kind of edible plant).

11 
working together 

SOUTHERN WAYNE ADVOCACY COUNCIL 

After several years of discussions and brainstorming, the Southern 

Wayne Advocacy Council (SWAC) was officially formed in 2017. Its 

mission centers on the creation of relationships between a diversity of 

community entities and the Wayne National Forest, especially in the 

southern part of the national forest. The group focuses on connecting 

communities to the outdoors and supporting economic development 

through travel and tourism.

The new nonprofit organization is the result of conversations between 

the Ironton Ranger District and community leaders in Lawrence 

County. “Some of the feedback we received from county leaders was 

very positive, but we also heard about some unaddressed needs,” 

said Ironton District Ranger Tim Slone. “They expressed a desire for 

the Wayne National Forest to function as a more integral part of the 

community. They also wanted help solving natural resource issues.”

Although it’s a new organization, SWAC is already making a difference 

in local communities. One of its first endeavors was to partner with the 

Wayne National Forest to organize a National Public Lands Day event 

for children from four Lawrence County elementary schools. The outing, 

held at the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, promoted environmental 

stewardship and awareness of public lands. In another outreach effort, 

SWAC worked with Ohio University Southern Campus’s television 

station to broadcast information about recreation opportunities, 

including off-highway vehicle (OHV) and equestrian trail riding.

SWAC is planning several other advocacy programs for the near 

future. “The group has identified multiple projects they plan to pursue 

over the next year,” said Slone. “Several of them are related to OHV 

opportunities and other trail-related subjects. The group has also found 

ways they can work together to market other recreational options that 

exist in our area.”

5PUBLIC 

EVENTS 

were held at Wayne National Forest sites. The events 

included the Iron Furnace Heritage Festival, Play Outside 

Day at Leith Run, the Wheelin’ Sportsmen Fishing Event, 

and two Kids Fishing Derbies at Lake Vesuvius and 

Lamping Homestead. They all served to connect people 

with the outdoors to stay active and healthy.

480

VOLUNTEERS 

helped through various programs including AmeriCorps, 

Youth Conservation Corps, and American Conservation 

Experience, as well as individuals and nonprofit,

academic, and private organizations. They contributed a 

total of 30,360 work hours worth $715,300. The Wayne 

National Forest is grateful to all volunteers who donated

their time and effort. For more information on volunteering,

please contact Josh Keenan at joshuakeenan@fs.fed.us

12 or 740-753-0890.
OHIO UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 

This summer, the Wayne National Forest partnered with Ohio University 

to provide internship opportunities for six students in wildlife biology, 

botany, and archaeology. The arrangement was mutually beneficial, 

allowing the students to gain work experience in their fields while helping 

the national forest accomplish its mission. “It has been our goal to work 

more closely with the Wayne National Forest,” said Dr. Bob Frank, dean 

of the college of arts and sciences. He agreed that there was a “real 

alignment” between the university’s need for student internships and an 

existing demand for researchers at the national forest.

The students conducted field surveys to inventory animal, plant, and 

cultural resources. Wildlife biology students Kyle Brooks and Devon 

Cottrill searched under logs for salamanders and used trail cameras to 

record bobcats and gray foxes. Their most exciting discoveries included 

finding two new populations of blue corporals (a state-endangered 

dragonfly) and recording southeast Ohio’s first nesting brown creepers, 

small songbirds that usually breed farther north. Botany interns Trevor 

Somogyi and Emily Penn documented sparselobe grapefern, which 

is listed as a sensitive plant species, and identified areas affected 

by invasive weeds. Archaeology students Zack Matthews and Sam 

Heckle recorded two new sites (one prehistoric, one historic) and found 

evidence of Native American tools.

BAILEYS COMMUNITY MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL SYSTEM 

Much of the interns’ survey work was for the Baileys Community 

Mountain Bike Trail project area. Their job was to locate any sites that 

need special protection before work begins. The extensive system will 

create 88 miles of new mountain bike trails designed to accommodate 

riders of varying skill levels. It will also link to 48 miles of existing paved 

and unpaved trails, creating a network totaling 136 miles. The Athens 

Bicycle Club, Ohio University Patton College of Education, Athens 

County, Village of Chauncey, and York Township are partnering with the 

Wayne National Forest to help make the new trails possible. Once the 

project is completed, the Athens area will be eligible for recognition as 

the first destination-worthy International Mountain Bicycling Association 

(IMBA) Ride Center in Ohio.

8,100 

PEOPLE 

learned about conservation education through 83 different 

outreach programs offered by the Wayne National Forest. 

Topics included fire prevention, plants and wildlife, 

and outdoor recreation. Special programs included the 

Medicinal Plant Workshop, Environmental Education 

Conference, and Wild Weekends Discovery Series. Many 

of these involved working with partners such as colleges, 

nonprofit organizations, and state and local governments.

10,000 

POUNDS 

of illegally dumped trash was collected from national 

forest lands through several volunteer cleanup events. 

In addition, about 2,000 scrap tires, which are often 

dumped illegally, were collected for recycling during a 

Community Scrap Tire Event. Partners included the Ohio 

Environmental Protection Agency, Athens-Hocking Solid 

Waste District, Athens City-County Health Department, 

Athens County Sheriff’s Office, and Keep Southeast 

Ohio Beautiful. 13 
The Hune Covered Bridge is located on the National Forest Covered Bridge Scenic Byway 

(SR26) within the Wayne National Forest Athens Ranger District - Marietta Unit in Washington 

County. Photo Courtesy of Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Photos 

throughout are courtesy of the USDA Forest Service unless noted otherwise. 

14 
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 

regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating 

in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national 

origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, 

marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political 

beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or 

funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary 

by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information 

(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 

Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the 

Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in 

languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint 

Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any 

USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information 

requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your 

completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: 

(202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

15 
VISIT US . . . 

twitter.com/waynenationalfs 

facebook.com/waynenationalforest 

www.fs.usda.gov/wayne 

Smokey Bear teaches kids about wildfire prevention during 

National Public Lands Day festivities on the Ironton Ranger District. 

WAYNE

download a self-guided tour & 

access visitor information with a 

WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST APP 

Supervisors Offce & Athens Ranger District - Athens Unit, 13700 US Highway 33, Nelsonville, OH 45764 (740) 753-0101 

Athens Ranger District - Marietta Unit, 27515 State Route 7, Marietta, OH 45750 (740) 373-9055

Ironton Ranger District - 6518 State Route 93, Pedro, OH 45659 (740) 534-6500

download a self-guided tour &

access visitor information with a 

WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST APP

Ironton Ranger District - 6518 State Route 93, Pedro, OH 45659

Supervisors Office & Athens Ranger District - Athens Unit, 13700 US Highway 33, Nelsonville, OH 45764 

Athens Ranger District - Marietta Unit, 27515 State Route 7, Marietta, OH 45750 

(740) 534-6500

(740) 753-0101

(740) 373-9055