COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ Timber sales from Ohio’s state forests that benefit schools and local governments rose 16 percent this year.

That’s the word from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which released the new numbers Tuesday.

The agency keeps about 35 percent of profit for itself after expenses and sends 65 percent back to the counties, townships and school districts where timber was harvested.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the state collected about $3.7 million from timber sales in 2015, sending almost $2.1 million back to local governments.

However, The amount harvested from Ohio’s state forests dropped by about 100,000 board feet last year compared with 2014.

The agency’s Greg Guess says that could be because timber prices are up or because wood harvested in previous years was paid for this year.