HARDWOOD FORESTRY FUND

Planting Hardwood Seedlings on Idle Agricultural Land in Devil’s Lake State Park, WI

Project Overview

The Hardwood Forestry Fund received $4,000 in 2011 to create opportunities for local residents to gain hands-on forest management experience while learning about the benefits of sustainable forestry through planting hardwood seedlings on idle agricultural land in Wisconsin’s Devil’s Lake State Park.

The 8.5-acre project involved planting 23,000 seedlings in order to restore hardwood forest cover in the park. Selected tree species were carefully matched to the site, including northern red oak, white oak, black walnut and cherry. As the plantings advance, they will close gaps in canopy coverage, creating habitat for species that require dense forest conditions to survive. Eventually these trees will reach maturity providing a sustainable wood source within the community.

Students from Youth Environmental Projects of Sauk County and their parents will monitor seedling success, interplant as needed, and prune the trees. This partnership introduces youth to the principles of sustainable forestry, allows them to have hands-on interaction and shows them the impact sustainable forestry has on forest-reliant communities.

Supporting the SFI Standard

This project supports SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 6: Protection of Special Sites; Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, and Objective 18: Public Land Management Responsibilities. It also addresses multiple components of standard objectives related to sustainable forestry, forest productivity and health, protection of biological diversity, aesthetics and recreation, and training and education.

Project Partners

In addition to the Hardwood Forestry Fund, other partners included the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Division of Forestry; WDNR Bureau of Parks & Recreation; WDNR State Nurseries Program; Sauk County Land Conservation Department and Youth Environmental Projects of Sauk County.

News

SFI Funds Community-based Education and Green Building Projects
Press Release – June 20, 2011

Project Resources

Project Overview PDF

About Hardwood Forestry Fund

The Hardwood Forestry Fund is a 501(c)(3) educational organization dedicated to establishing sustainable hardwood forests. Through tree planting and implementation of forest management techniques on public land, the Hardwood Forestry Fund has promoted hardwood timber growth, management, environmental education, and wise use of renewable forest resources since 1990. Trees planted by the Hardwood Forestry Fund require a management plan that ensures they will be cared for to provide quality natural resources for future generations. Educational and demonstration forests help teach students and private landowners how to establish and maintain hardwood forests.