Who primarily owns the forest land in Illinois?

Who primarily owns the forest land in Illinois?

• A. Public landowners
• B. Private corporations own the majority
• C. More than 90% is owned by private landowners
• D. The state government owns most forest land

Answer: (C)

Illinois’ forest land is overwhelmingly in private hands. The vast majority of timber and forest areas are owned by private individuals, families, and private companies, managed for timber, recreation, and other uses. Public ownership accounts for only a minority—state and federal lands together cover a relatively small portion of the total forest area (with examples like state forests and a few national forests or parks, but not near the scale of private ownership). Because private landowners control well over 90% of the forest land, the statement that more than 90% is owned by private landowners is the best reflection of how forest ownership is distributed in Illinois.

Illinois’ forest land is overwhelmingly in private hands. The vast majority of timber and forest areas are owned by private individuals, families, and private companies, managed for timber, recreation, and other uses. Public ownership accounts for only a minority—state and federal lands together cover a relatively small portion of the total forest area (with examples like state forests and a few national forests or parks, but not near the scale of private ownership). Because private landowners control well over 90% of the forest land, the statement that more than 90% is owned by private landowners is the best reflection of how forest ownership is distributed in Illinois.