COLUMBUS — John Mueller, a service forester for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), was recently recognized by the Ohio Forestry Association (OFA) as the Outstanding Individual in Government Service for the state of Ohio. Mueller, who serves Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Hardin, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Williams counties, was praised by the association for his effort in the field of forestry-related conservation work.
“We are pleased with John’s recognition and hard work,” said Robert Boyles, Ohio’s state forester. “It’s important to have passionate foresters like John because 86 percent of Ohio’s forests are privately owned, and building relationships with those owners is key to the overall health and quality of Ohio’s forests.”
Mueller has been a service forester in northwest Ohio since 2007 and has served as an inspector for the OFA Master Logger Program for many years. In his role as a service forester, Mueller offers free, expert advice and guidance for the long-term care of family-owned woodlands, as well as information on qualification for property tax incentives under the Ohio Forest Tax Law and pointers on boundary establishment, forest health, selling timber, best management practices to prevent erosion and managing for wildlife. He also played a key role in establishing a Logger’s Chapter in northwest Ohio and re-establishing the Northwest Ohio Woodland Association, a private woodlands interest group.
There are 18 service foresters working for the ODNR Division of Forestry. Foresters offer valuable assistance to private woodland owners to improve the health and quality of forests. To find the service forester for a specific county in Ohio, go to forestry.ohiodnr.gov/serviceforesters.
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 forestry.ohiodnr.gov.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
