State Forests History

Wisconsin's state forests began in a tumultuous period of history. Timber was big business in the late 1800's, and the vast forest resource that covered Wisconsin was supporting the state and region's economy. As the forests were cleared, the land was made available for homesteaders looking to farm. The pressure this put on the forests was overwhelmingly visible when the legislature took action in 1878. E.M. Griffith, the first state forester, described how the first state forest reserve was established. "The legislature set aside the state lands…, some 50,000 acres, as a state park with an express provision that no authority should be given to anyone to cut down or destroy any timber on such lands." This property stayed in state hands for 19 years before being sold back to lumber companies. Great debates arose over what Wisconsin forestry should look like in the first decades of the 20th century.

The resulting existence and success of state forests was due to the changing public opinion and resulting legislation of 1924, the efforts of dedicated individuals, and the ever improving management of the state's resources.

1900-1920: State Forestry Debate

Two amendments to the state constitution proved that the citizens of Wisconsin supported extensive public ownership of valuable forestland. The first amendment in 1910 permitted the state to engage in forestry practices and then in 1924 a referendum gave the state the right to appropriate money for the purpose of acquiring, preserving and developing the state's forests. These amendments reflected the citizens' desire that the state adopt a long-term commitment to manage the forest resources. The first forestry department envisioned ownership of two million acres. The reasons the state wanted to establish these lands is the same philosophy we hold today: sustainably managing the forests for multiple uses benefits the state environmentally, socially, and economically.

E.M Griffith knew in 1904 that there was a strong relationship between the forest reserves and the general welfare of the state: forests protect the health of river headwaters, the natural attractions of the forests provide outdoor recreational benefits for an increasingly urban society, and wood-using industries employ thousands of people and provide economic wealth for the state. This is as true today as it was a hundred years ago.

1930-1940: State Forests Established

The majority of the state forests were officially established by the legislature in the late 1920's and 30's. Many acres were acquired earlier and managed as soon as the Forestry Commission and first State Forester were appointed in 1904. E.M. Griffith felt that "the main reason for establishing forest reserves in Wisconsin was to preserve the stream flow in the important rivers… where the greatest rivers of the state rise."

Between 1904 and 1906, the first forest reserve, later to be called the Northern Highland State Forest, was created to preserve an area of the state that is home to the headwaters of the rivers Griffith describes. The forest grew from 40,000 to 254,072 acres in just two years. Five state forests were created in the 1930's. The youngest forests, the Black River, Governor Knowles, and the Peshtigo River, were initiated in 1957, 1970, and 2001 respectively.

President Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration and the pressures of increased visitor use helped to build and shape the new state forests as soon as they were established. The new state forests were an excellent place to employ the large population of out-of-work men following the depression. Between 1933 and 1942, the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and ECW (Emergency Conservation Work) programs provided significant help in building the first trails and structures on the forests and created for the first time an adequate fire suppression force. In tough economic times, the state knew that the forests provided a dependable source of income through the production of sustainable forest crops. The men on these crews worked to create these crops through reforestation projects that replanted what was logged fifteen to fifty years earlier.

The 1940s saw a migration of people from rural to urban areas. Following World War II, the pressure of public use on the forests increased sharply. The growing urban population needed a place to recreate and the forests, with their new recreation facilities, supplied this demand for trails, lakes, hunting and picnic areas. In 1954, over a million visitors made use of the forests. By 1955, the state owned 279,505 acres worth $23,500,000.

1950-1990: State Forest Management Evolves

Forest management on the state forests followed consistent guidelines and principles that developed over the years. New scientific research and the experience of past practices guided and taught the state's forest managers. Reconnaissance mapping was instituted on state forests in the early 1960's to help forest managers look at the big picture, analyze acreage and age classes of the major forest types, and plan a sustainable harvest schedule. Foresters used GPS units and GIS to help them in this data intensive process. State timber management was also modified to give people the kind of woods they like. In 1974, Governor Lucey responded to an expressed public preference for big trees. He ordered that certain species not be harvested at the scheduled time, but be allowed to keep growing. In the mid-1980s, the state forests began using a valuable management tool known as the Wisconsin DNR Habitat Classification System. This system matches the potential of the land with the management of the forest type. The foundation of this system is the documented historic land cover of an area. That information can help foresters predict the capabilities and limitations of the land.

Since 1949, state statute (s.s.28.04 and NR 44) required the state to write master plans for each of its properties. Ecological, social, and economic issues are addressed in each forest's Master Plan. Revision of these is done every 15 years. In 1996, the statute was re-written to emphasize the practice of sustainable forestry, assure management is consistent with ecological capability of the land, and to provide a full range of benefits for present and future generations. These plans are not just written by forest managers, but also use the expertise of other resource managers like wildlife biologists, fishery experts, and endangered resource specialists. Public involvement is one of the most important aspects of these plans. Citizens' concerns and input help create a plan that takes into consideration the needs and desires of the community. Historical and present master plans are available for the public to review.

Today

Forest management on the state forests strives to sustain ecological, social, cultural and economic systems. One thing that has not changed in Wisconsin forest history is the continuing economic strength of the forestry industry. State forests insure this viable economic base by sustainably managing the forests so that timber products can be harvested and sold now and in the future. Timber sales today are strikingly different than those during the late 1800's. By design, the timber sale today is woven between the habitat locations of endangered and special concern species and incorporates safety protection and aesthetics into the design wherever applicable. Knowledge regarding ecological concerns is always increasing. Today, forest ecologists stay abreast of pests and diseases that may enter Wisconsin and then act proactively to protect the forest resources. The popularity of the state forests as a recreation destination in all seasons has created some social challenges. There are twice as many activities to enjoy on the state forests today than at the turn of the 20th century. Managing these varied recreational activities to provide the best experience for the majority of people is an ongoing challenge.

Today, the state forests total over 490,000 acres on eight forests and one experimental station. These properties are located in as diverse locations as the driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin to the sand beaches of Lake Superior. They are grand examples of what Wisconsinites treasure: clean water, fresh air, abundant wildlife, beautiful landscapes and healthy trees.

Below is a list of the state forests and some highlights from their distinct histories. They are listed in order of origination.

Northern Highland and American Legion State Forest (NHAL)

The NHAL is the largest state property. Trout Lake, in Vilas County, served as the headquarters of the first Forestry Department and today several original buildings still exist and are used as the station. Land was purchased in this area (Vilas, Oneida, Iron, Forest Counties) because of the high concentration of headwaters. Wisconsin is the first state to employ an airplane for spotting fires. The first flight was made on June 29, 1915 from the Trout Lake headquarters in a Curtis flying boat with Jack Vilas as pilot. The Northern Highland and American Legion Forests were established separately but in 1968 they began to be managed cooperatively for economic purposes.

Flambeau River State Forest

State ownership of land on the Flambeau River was initiated some time before World War I. At that time, concern was mounting over the rapid destruction of timber resources by logging and uncontrolled fires. The Conservation Commission (predecessor to the DNR) owned 1000 acres in 1913. The Flambeau River State Forest was officially established in 1930 encompassing 3,600 acres. Controversy began over cutting on the Forest in the 1950's. An area known as the "Big Block" was at the heart of this controversy. It was an area of old growth Hemlock-hardwoods. Several well-known conservationists, such as Sigurd Olson, proposed a one-mile buffer on each side of the river be preserved with no cutting allowed. The Department cooperated with these groups and tried to arrive at a compromise. During this period, though, a series of blow-downs occurred on the "Big Block." On July 4, 1977, a devastating windstorm flattened thousands of acres of timber on the Flambeau; the hardest hit was the heart of the "Big Block." The Natural Resources Board granted the forest to apply salvage operations on 10,606 acres, which earned $1,426,998. Today, the "Big Block" is a protected wilderness area with the management intent of letting nature take its course to restore the area with minimal human manipulation.

Brule River State Forest

The Brule River State Forest holds claim to the earliest initiation of a state forest; Mr. Frederick Weyerhaeuser deeded 4,320 acres to the state for forestry purposes in 1907. The legislature officially recognized it as the Brule River State Forest in 1932. Five U.S. Presidents have enjoyed fishing on the Brule River: Ulysses Grant, Grover Cleveland, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and Dwight Eisenhower. In 1928, Calvin Coolidge spent his summer vacation on the Brule. He had a summer White House in Superior at the office of the Blaine High School.

Kettle Moraine State Forests: Northern and Southern Units & Point Beach State Forest

The Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit and Southern Unit), along with Point Beach State Forest, are known as the Southern Forests. Their origin is unique compared to the northern forests. These two forests are located in the heart of the most densely populated portion of Wisconsin, and a small but dedicated group of citizens living in the southeastern part of the state felt that the state government should provide for forestry and outdoor recreation facilities in highly populated areas. They were successful in lobbying for their position and in 1937 the Legislature passed a bill appropriating funds to acquire and develop state forest lands in specific locations approved by the Conservation Commission and the Governor. This area included 16 counties in the southeastern portion of the state. These two properties are not as heavily managed for forest timber production; much of the management effort is focused on the high rate of recreation use.

Council Grounds State Park

Council Grounds was first a City of Merrill park. It was deeded to the state as a gift and established as a state forest in 1938. Today it is a state park. For many years before the exploration of Wisconsin, the site of this forest was used by the Chippewa Indians for their annual tribal festivities and councils. They traveled by canoe down the tributaries of the Wisconsin River for these celebrations. Years after, during the logging days of 1871 to 1905, hundreds of river men sorted over 600 million feet of logs annually at this point to supply the mills located along the Wisconsin River.

Black River State Forest

The area of the Black River State Forest was logged heavily in 1850. Fires repeatedly burned the area until the early 1900's. The Homestead Act made this land available to people seeking farmland. Their dreams of fertile land were not realized and many farmers sold their property to the U.S. Resettlement Administration in the 1930's. The U.S. Forest Service in 1940 made an agreement with the Wisconsin Conservation Department to manage the area for forestry and wildlife purposes. CCC crews were instrumental in providing labor for resource projects. They planted trees and constructed earthen dams to establish flowages for waterfowl. In 1957, the land was granted to the State of Wisconsin and established as a state forest.

Governor Knowles State Forest

Governor Knowles State Forest was originally named the St. Croix River State Forest when it was established in 1970. This forest shares a similar history and purpose to many of the other state forests: to protect, perpetuate and manage for multiple purposes the land surrounding the great rivers of this state. The federal National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 required a cooperative agreement between Northern States Power Company and the National Park Service (NPS) to manage the upper St. Croix and Namekagon River. Northern States Power Company donated 4,100 acres that were adjacent to the federal lands to the State of Wisconsin with the contingency that the land would become a state forest. The St. Croix Management Commission coordinates overall planning and management of the entire river. The Natural Resources Board has established the acquisition goal at 26,513 acres. Currently, the forest totals 19,343 acres.

Peshtigo River State Forest

The Peshtigo is the most recent addition to the state forests. In 2001, the Natural Resources Board approved purchasing 9,239 acres from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation for $25 million. This has been paid for over the last three years from Wisconsin's Stewardship 2000 Fund. The land includes 70 miles of Peshtigo River frontage surrounding several flowages. Also included is a six-mile free flowing stretch of the river. The river is noted for its exceptional fly-fishing, rapids, and excellent access to flowage waters.