Wild Rivers

The Wild Rivers Forest Legacy property comprises of 14,576 acres of the overall Wild Rivers Legacy Forest.  In 2006, the Department received funding from the USFS to acquire a conservation easement on the first phase on this project, 7,260 acres.  The Department is currently working to get additional funding through the Forest Legacy Program to complete this project.

Wild Rivers Legacy Forest is 64,633 acres, over 100 square miles of forests, lakes and rivers-including the Popple and Pine state designated Wild Rivers- in Marinette, Florence and Forest counties in northeast Wisconsin, that the state of Wisconsin, along with the Department of Natural Resources, The Natural Conservancy, Conservation Forestry LLC, and Forest Investment Associates have formed an unprecedented partnership to conserve.  This project represents the largest land conservation effort in state history and one that will protect working forests, public access for recreation, wildlife habitat, and water quality.  Without protection, this land would probably have been sold off piece by piece and developed.  These purchases ensure that the land will be forever protected and remain a working, sustainably-managed forest, available for the recreational enjoyment of generations to come. 

The Wild Rivers Legacy Forest encompasses vast acres of forest, more than 48 lakes and ponds, and 70 miles of rivers and streams that flow into and contribute to water quality in Green Bay and the larger Great Lakes system.  It provides important habitat for wildlife, including trout and migratory waterfowl and songbirds; rare species such as the pine marten; and wide-ranging mammals such as wolves and bear. The Wild Rivers Legacy Forest contains some of the richest soils in Wisconsin for growing hardwood trees.

The Forest Legacy property offers exceptional recreation opportunities, including hunting, fishing in Class 1, 2 and 3 trout streams, snowmobiling, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, wildlife watching and more.  The early history of these forests was one of careful management by the Goodman Lumber Company, one of the first companies to practice long-term, sustained-yield northern hardwood forestry.