County Forest Certification

Collectively, the County Forests represent the largest public landholding in the state. A cooperative management framework between DNR and the counties provides the opportunity for the County Forest group certification program. The Department of Natural Resources holds the certificate for 27 participating counties with 2.4 million acres. Individual counties are free to choose either or both Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI^®) and Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC^®) standards. SFI and FSC are the two most widely accepted forest certification systems in North America. NSF-International Strategic Registrations and Scientific Certification Systems provided the evaluation and certification.

WI County Forest Certificate [PDF, 200KB] #SCS-FM/COC-00083G FSC certification means that the forest is managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.

WI County Forest Certificate [PDF, 308KB] #NSF-SFIS-1Y943 Wisconsin DNR and the County Forest program are participants in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) program.

At a certification ceremony on March 18, 2005, Governor Jim Doyle acknowledged that the County Forest program is "a unique partnership that stretches back 76 years and it's a great example how local governments and state agencies can work together in addressing statewide needs." Wisconsin County Forest Association Director Colette Matthews added, "Our County Forest people have felt for a long time that they have been doing things right. They are extremely proud of the management being done on these forest lands. Having their work verified by the certification systems confirms their beliefs and gives all those who work on the County Forests a reason to feel very proud of their accomplishments."

The County Forest system provides more than 6,000 miles of snowmobile, ATV, skiing/hiking trails, and forest roads along with a wealth of hunting and fishing opportunities. Forest products from these forests also generate in excess of $21 million dollars annually in timber sale revenue for the counties and townships encompassing these lands plus an additional $17.2 million in economic impact.

The SFI and FSC audit reports identifying strengths and areas of improvement for the Certified Wisconsin County Forest are available for review.

County Forest Assessment Reports

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

• 2010 Assessment Report [PDF, 549KB]
• 2009 Assessment Report [PDF, 538KB]
• 2008 Assessment Report [PDF, 538KB]
• 2007 Assessment Report [PDF, 470KB]
• 2006 Assessment Report [PDF, 130KB]
• 2005 Assessment Report [PDF, 431KB]

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)

• 2011 Assessment Report [PDF, 537KB]
• 2010 Assessment Report [PDF, 533KB]
• 2009 Assessment Report [PDF, 550KB]
• 2008 Assessment Report [PDF, 262KB]
• 2007 Assessment Report [PDF, 597KB]
• 2006 Assessment Report [PDF, 177KB]
• 2006 Assessment Matrix [PDF, 125KB]
• 2005 Assessment Report [PDF, 137KB]
• 2005 Assessment Matrix [PDF, 887KB]

Twenty seven of Wisconsin's 29 county forests are currently certificated under the standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), or both. Independent, third-party certification means management of the county forests meets strict standards for ecological, social and economic sustainability.

To learn more about county forest certification, please see the "Certification" section of our website.

The table below displays the location and acreage of all certified county forest lands in the state.