14 FUTURE FORESTRY IN IOWA 



Many of the European countries have realized more than we 

 have the aesthetic and recreative value of the forest. If, in addi- 

 tion to the production of timber, the State should develop forests 

 of her own for protecting the streams and beauty of the hills, 

 and, in addition, for furnishing recreation for the people of the 

 regions, then we would quite generally agree that the state 

 forest has a place in Iowa. The s^te forest idea might work 

 hand in hand with other conservation interests. Such areas 

 might serve as game refuges for the protection of wild birds and 

 animals and at the same time be just as valuable for timber pro- 

 duction and possibly more so for recreation. 



County and municipal forests might serve the people even 

 more than such areas set aside by the State, since the forest 

 would be close at hand and within easy reach of all. Counties 

 which have large streams running through them generally have 

 an abundance of woodland admirably adapted for this purpose. 

 Towns and cities in almost any region could secure areas vary- 

 ing in size from one hundred to a thousand acres or more, which 

 could be held as woodland parks. We could hardly expect 

 such forests to produce sufficient income to do away with the 

 local taxes as is the case in certain municipal forests in Germany, 

 but they would serve as a source of revenue and at the same 

 time furnish more valuable returns as a recreation ground for 

 the people. 



It is probable that there will be a considerable amount of 

 activity in the State, relating to the establishment of municipal, 

 county and possibly state forests. In many localities a neuceus 

 for such might be made by donation, as has already been done 

 in at least one country. 



OBSTACLES TO GOOD FORESTRY IN IOWA 



Although the present tax law for forest property in this State 

 is not the most scientific, it is much better than the laws in those 

 states which make no special provision for the forests. If the 

 present tax law relating to the woodlots were to remain as it is 

 today, it would mean practically an exemption from taxes for 

 this class of property. It cannot be said that the present tax 

 law in Iowa is standing in the way of forestry as an investment. 



Probably grazing is one of the msot serious matters affecting 

 the reproduction and proper maintenance of the woodlots. There 



