Brule River State Forest

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with Wausau Paper and The Conservation Fund, announced in June 2007 the conservation of nearly 6,000 acres of working forestland. Located in the northeast corner of Douglas County, the newly acquired lands will be incorporated into the Brule River State Forest, safeguarding important wildlife habitat and timberlands while also offering more opportunity for the public to hunt, canoe, camp, and fish.

"A healthy environment means a healthy economy and healthy place to live, work and [play]. The future of our state is closely linked to our natural resources--and I’m pleased that, today, that future is looking even brighter with the protection of these great natural areas."

- Scott Hassett, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Summary

In the face of widespread forest loss, public and private partners are teaming to preserve working forests across the Midwest—and across the country—in order to protect these lands for their recreational, ecological, and economic value. To this end, Wausau Paper in 2006 sold 5,886 acres of working forestland for the Brule River State Forest to us, to hold until the state of Wisconsin could secure funds to acquire the land.

We drew upon our Great Lakes Revolving Loan Fund, supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, for funding.

Historically, Brule River State Forest has welcomed explorers, adventurers, and presidents. The Brule River (or Bois Brule River) was well-traveled by Native Americans and later by trappers, fur traders, voyagers and missionaries traveling between Lake Superior and the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. President Coolidge made a Cedar Island Estate his “summer White House” during the 1920s. Today, the forest contains perhaps the finest trout stream in Wisconsin. It is home to diverse animals, from white-tail deer and black bear to roughly 200 bird species, including endangered and threatened varieties. And on the Brule River itself, canoeists and kayakers continue to launch new adventures.

The property is also the official “portal” to the North Country National Scenic Trail, as it stretches from North Dakota to Vermont. The North Country National Scenic Trail—the longest and one of only eight National Scenic Trails in the United States—is managed by the National Park Service. In addition to forest land, Wausau’s donation of a four-mile segment to the North Country National Scenic Trail--located west of the Brule property—adds significant value to this popular trail.

View the News Release.