State acquires 122 acres to expand Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County

Written from press release

BROWN COUNTY, Ind. — April 21, 2026

Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday the acquisition of 122.4 acres of land that will be added to Yellowwood State Forest, expanding protected public land in south-central Indiana.

The newly acquired property is in northwestern Brown County and sits adjacent to the existing state forest boundary, connecting a previous gap between sections of the forest, according to DNR.

State officials said the land includes young stands of tulip poplar, early successional species and moderate to steep terrain. The addition will permanently protect the property, conserve ecosystems and provide new space for hunting and sustainable forest management.

“This expansion to Yellowwood State Forest represents our ongoing commitment to stewardship and preserving Indiana’s natural heritage for future generations,” Braun said in a statement. “Adding this land to Yellowwood State Forest ensures its permanent protection while opening new opportunities for Hoosiers to enjoy the outdoors.”

The property was acquired for $860,000 through the Indiana DNR’s Next Level Conservation Trust. According to the agency, the trust has contributed more than $21 million to preserve nearly 3,600 acres of natural landscape across Indiana.

DNR said it will begin updating boundary markings and incorporating the new parcel into the forest’s resource management planning.

Yellowwood State Forest covers more than 24,000 acres and is known for its rugged terrain, scenic lakes and abundant wildlife. The forest was established in 1940 and has been managed using science-based forestry practices for decades, according to the state.

Yellowwood is part of a broader network of public lands in the area managed by DNR, including Brown County State Park, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Mountain Tea State Forest and Monroe Lake.

“Protecting land for conservation is fundamental to our work at DNR,” DNR Director Alan Morrison said in a statement. “The simplest way for all Hoosiers to help support projects like this at Yellowwood State Forest and across Indiana is to choose the blue environmental license plate for your vehicle.”

DNR said funds from environmental license plate renewals support land conservation efforts across the state.

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