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Northwest Sands Ecological Landscape

Regional Master Plan

The Northwest Sands ecological landscape includes state forests, natural areas, fishery areas and wildlife areas. The ecological landscape intersects portions of Bayfield, Douglas, Washburn and Burnett counties and a very small portion of Polk County. Wisconsin DNR properties in this landscape offer public access to and protect headwaters and sensitive areas surrounding the region’s trout streams, barrens habitat and large forests. Hunting, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing and other recreational opportunities are abundant in the region.

Close up view of male sharp-tailed grouse sitting in snow

Male sharp-tailed grouse

Planning Update

Brule River State Forest Variance

The Wisconsin DNR approved a master plan variance for the Brule River State Forest Master Plan [PDF] regarding the Motts Ravine Native Community Management Area. The approved variance updates management prescriptions for Motts Ravine by increasing the acres of core area dedicated to barrens management from between 200 and 400 acres to between 1,000 and 1,200 acres. The Motts Ravine area has been identified as capable of supporting and expanding the globally rare and imperiled pine-barrens community type.

Also changed from the proposed variance is the addition of a prescription to ensure management actions associated with Motts Ravine Native Community Management Area are consistent with the Northwest Sands Habitat Corridor Plan and the Sharp-Tailed Grouse Management Plan. Both documents identify the need to conduct management actions, which reverse habitat fragmentation and restore habitat corridors through the establishment of a "stepping-stones" pattern of barrens cores.

Read The Approved Brule River State Forest Master Plan Variance [PDF]

Learn more about the property on the DNR's Brule River State Forest webpage.

Regional Master Plan

The Northwest Sands Regional Master Plan was approved by the Natural Resources Board in February 2019.

The interactive map below shows many of the larger, more popular DNR properties in the Northwest Sands. All properties included in this planning region are listed in Appendix A of the plan document. View all properties in the region and access additional map data with the Property Planning Viewer.

Access a full-screen version of the Interactive Map Of Northwest Sands Regional Master Plan Properties. If the map is not loading, please be sure your pop-up blocker is turned off.