December 20, 2020 (BEDFORD) – Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the USDA Forest Service announced this week it surpassed goals and set records on a national level in 2020. In Indiana, the Hoosier National Forest relied on science, innovation and partnerships to overcome this year’s challenges as they found new solutions to serve the public during a time of unprecedented need. In 2020, the Forest continued to serve as an invaluable outlet for a wide variety of outdoor recreation, which took on added importance and significance during the pandemic, as the American people turned to their National Forest as a healthy escape. The Forest also continued to improve wildlife habitat and forest conditions. These actions supported local jobs and economies through outdoor recreation and production of sustainable wood products. The Forest also reduced catastrophic wildfire risk on 1,880 acres, removing hazardous fuels like dead and downed trees through use of prescribed fire. Forest conditions were improved on 224 acres using timber sales as a tool to reduce density, diversify conditions, and combat disease and insect infestations. An additional 888 acres were treated for noxious weeds and invasive plants, considered one of the primary threats to healthy forest ecosystems. Watershed health was improved by the installation of two aquatic organism passages on streams in Jackson County, and 18 acres of lake habitat was restored.