COLUMBUS, OH - John E. Dorka, a Worthington resident, has been named chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry.
As the states chief forester, Dorka is responsible for management of Ohios 20 state forests totaling more than 184,000 acres. The Division of Forestry also provides forest management assistance to private woodland owners in Ohio, assists local communities through urban forestry programs and works to prevent the destruction of forestlands by fires, insects and disease. The division operates two state tree nurseries, at Zanesville and Marietta.
Announcing the appointment, ODNR Director Sam Speck said, After a nationwide search that produced a number of fine candidates, it was clear that John Dorka offers the experience, vision and leadership capabilities we need to lead Ohios forest management program.
Dorka holds a degree in forest management from the University of Michigan. Joining ODNR in 1974, Dorka was a state forest ranger and district forester in Muskingum and Athens counties before becoming assistant chief of the forestry division in 1988. He has two children, Kelli and Christopher.