The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife recently announced that more than $50,000 has been added to the Wildlife Diversity Fund using proceeds gained by auctioning off contraband ginseng and yellow root from illegal possession cases.

According to a press release, the Division of Wildlife gained $51,542 by auctioning off 59.7 pounds of ginseng and 3.1 pounds of yellow root that were seized during the enforcement of illegal possession or illegal harvesting cases. The proceeds will be added to the state’s Wildlife Diversity Fund, which supports conservation projects for species including sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans and lake sturgeon. 

The Division of Wildlife regulates ginseng harvest and sales in Ohio to ensure the continued presence of wild ginseng, which is valued for its medicinal qualities. Under state guidelines, ginseng can only be harvested between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 annually, with harvests being limited to mature ginseng plants. Harvesters must obtain written permission to collect ginseng on private and public lands and are also required to plant the seeds of collected plants where they were found. Harvesting ginseng is prohibited on state-owned lands and national park property. Ginseng dealers must obtain a permit issued by the Division of Wildlife and ginseng must be certified by the agency before it is exported from Ohio. 

The Division of Wildlife seeks to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and to ensure that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by all.

Visitors can find more information about the agency at wildohio.gov.