Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Visitor
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Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Visitor Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest ● 4125 Cty Hwy M ● Boulder Junction, WI 54512 ● www.dnr.wi.gov Sustainable Forestry Forestry was born in Wisconsin at the Trout Lake Forestry Headquarters in 1904 when the state hired 12 foresters and established Wisconsin’s fi rst tree nursery. The initial forest management efforts were to control forest fi res and replant many of our cut and burned over forest areas. Some of the large pines seen today are due to the early work of those fi rst foresters. In 1996, a revision of the state forest statute (s. 28.04, Wis. Stats.) clarifi ed the purpose of the state forests to more clearly defi ne the broad-based management of state forests, directing them to, “assure the practice of sustainable forestry and provide a full range of benefi ts for present and future generations”. The benefi ts include, “soil protection, public hunting, protection of water quality, production of recurring forest products, outdoor recreation, native biological diversity, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, and aesthetics.” Trout Lake vista from County Hwy M Sustainable forestry has many facets of meaning and application to the state forest. Sustainable forestry can be described as the practice of responsible management Wisconsin’s Crown Jewel to obtain all possible benefi ts the forest is As the largest state property, the There are about 40 miles of groomed cross- frequently seen throughout the forest. Gray capable of for today and future generations. Northern Highland-American Legion country ski trails and many more miles of wolves have established packs within the Sustainable principles provide sideboards to State Forest (NHAL) sits at the top of ungroomed trails open to skiing. forest boundaries and can sometimes be help balance the various values we demand the state, a fi tting location for what is There are 18 family campgrounds heard howling at night. from the forest. Values can range from eco- clearly one of Wisconsin’s crown jewels with 865 campsites in the forest, and two Hunting, subject to certain regulations, nomic, such as wood products and the jobs of public lands. outdoor group camping areas that will is permitted in the forest and the area is that come with logging, to ecological, like In 1925, the Wisconsin Legislature each accommodate a total of 80 people. very popular with many deer hunters. diverse old-growth forested stands. created the forest to preserve the head- Boat landings are provided at most The NHAL State Forest is also one of Sustainable forestry takes into account the waters of the Wisconsin, Manitowish campgrounds. Five family campgrounds: Wisconsin’s hardest working forests. At changing forest and the changing public that and Flambeau Rivers – once a region of Crystal Lake, Muskie Lake, Firefl y Lake, any time there may be 30-40 active timber lives in or uses the property. Planning forest dense towering white pines denuded by Clear Lake and Indian Mounds accept sales in progress within the forest. So don’t practices that are both environmentally and logging near the turn of the century. reservations. There are also four wilder- be surprised to see logging operations economically responsible involves listening Glaciers 10,000 years ago lent the ness camping areas with a total of 12 take place on your state forest. Not only to public input and applying the science of land its structure, its hills and lakes, campsites for which reservations can be do these timber sales provide necessary forestry. Forests are dynamic and our man- boulders and wetlands. The lakes and made. 78 canoe campsites are located forest products; they also ensure a healthy, agement adapts to these changes and plans rivers are one of the primary features along the many miles of waterways in the sustainable forest that you and others can for the future. that draw more than 2 million visitors forest, with access only by water. Winter enjoy for many years to come. Healthy sus- A priority of sustainable forestry is to the forest annually. Fishing, boating, camping is permitted at the Clear Lake tainable forests mean fun too. As a matter to maintain diverse forest communities. swimming, canoeing and kayaking are Campground. of fact, nearly all of our cross-country ski Foresters manage forestlands of special all popular summer sports. The forest Other features include nature trails, and mountain bike trails are the result of signifi cance in a manner that recognizes is also covered with trails and roads picnic areas with drinking water and timber sales. Many visitors seek out new their uniqueness. Management plans are that provide opportunities for hiking, toilets, and swimming beaches. timber sales because they are great areas written to include a variety of goals and level biking, and snowmobiling. With some A forest naturalist is on duty from to observe wildlife. of attention. Each tree, plant, animal, and of the most consistent snowfalls in the Memorial Day to Labor Day and offers Because the Northern Highland-Amer- ecosystem is suited to a specifi c location. state, the forest provides more than 400 evening programs, including slide shows ican Legion State Forest is so expansive, When foresters write management plans miles of snowmobile trails that connect and fi lms that are presented at Crystal Lake it surrounds a number of communities for an area, they analyze the sites current with hundreds of more miles of trails. Campground during summer evenings where a wide variety of services and and future capabilities to maintain healthy each week. accommodations are available. There is regeneration and provide many other ben- There are a variety of rare species often some special event taking place efi ts. A state forester also considers how their found in the forest, including endangered, at one of the small communities located practices may aid research and add to the threatened, and sensitive species. Some, within the forest. base of forestry knowledge to continually such as the spotted salamander, wood So, come and enjoy some time on the improve practices. turtle, and Cooper’s hawk are quite rare Northern Highland-American Legion Sustainable forestry has present and long- and inconspicuous. Others such as the bald State Forest. Truly, one of Wisconsin’s term benefi ts for Wisconsin and beyond. eagle, osprey, and common loon can be crown jewels. State forestlands have a great heritage of forestry that is evident today. What we do now will ensure the future with a healthy and productive sustainable state forest. Donations to the Forests For more information about Wisconsin’s Northern State Forests contact If you enjoy this Forest, you may want to express your appreciation through the Division of Forestry or the forest properties: a gift of money, materials or equipment. Division of Forestry Black River State Forest Flambeau River State Forest Wisconsin’s Forests for the Future Fund is a program created by the Depart- PO Box 7921 910 Hwy. 54 East W1613 Co. Rd. W ment of Natural Resources that uses donations to plant and manage trees in Madison, WI 53707-7921 Black River Falls, WI 54615 Winter, WI 54896 our state forests. To obtain an informational brochure on this program, stop Phone: 608-267-7494 Phone: 715-284-4103 Phone: 715-332-5271 by the Woodruff Service Center, Trout Lake Headquarters, or contact the Northern Highland-American Governor Knowles State Forest Peshtigo River State Forest Division of Forestry, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. Legion State Forest PO Box 367 N10008 Paust Lane Gifts help Wisconsin’s state parks and forests provide facilities and services 4125 Cty Hwy M Grantsburg, WI 54840 Crivitz, WI 54114 Boulder Junction, WI 54512 Phone: 715-463-2898 Phone: 715-757-3965 that otherwise would not be possible. For information on materials or equip- Phone: 715-385-2727 ment donations please contact the Trout Lake Forestry Headquarters, 4125 Brule River State Forest Cty Hwy M, Boulder Junction, WI 54512. 6250 S. Ranger Rd Brule, WI 54820 Phone: 715-372-5678 2 Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Visitor Real Estate Management in the NH-AL State Forest By Sonja L. Margitan Forest 1982 Master Plan. It briefl y covers the south of the forest along the Wisconsin Land Control Specialist the beginning of the state forests systems, River and near the Rainbow Flowage. The as we know them today. expansion areas and the revised boundary The nucleus area of the Northern High- *** are shown on Map 61 in the Final Master land-American Legion State Forest has From these forest reserve lands, the Plan document or can be found on the been under conservation forest protection state legislature established the Northern NH-AL State Forest website: http://dnr. longer than any other forested area in Highland State Forest in 1925, and the wi.gov/master_planning/nhal/. the state. “In 1904, the Commissioners American Legion State Forest in 1929. Acquisition priorities within the state of Public Lands, in accordance with the They were managed as separate proper- forest vary from year to year and are based laws of 1903 (the fi rst forestry law), set ties until 1968 when they were combined on a variety of factors, such as resource aside a forest reserve of some 40,000 into one administrative unit for economic management or recreation needs and avail- acres in Forest, Oneida and Vilas Coun- reasons. able funding, but acquisition is always ties. In 1904, upon my (E.M. Griffi th’s) Today, the Northern Highland-Ameri- based on the landowner’s willingness to request, the Commissioners of Public can Legion State Forest is Wisconsin’s sell or donate their property. Lands added 20,000 acres in Iron County.