The Pelican River Forest is now permanently protected through a conservation easement. After many challenges, The Conservation Fund received the funding needed to protect the nearly 70,000-acre property, which was purchased in 2021.
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) was supposed to approve funding from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to purchase the easement, but an objection by a committee member stalled the project in April 2023.
Governor Tony Evers ultimately went around the JFC and allocated federal funding for the project, announced during his State of the State Address in January 2024.
“This is something that will last forever. There’s very few times that the legislature, Governor, anybody can say that. These folks can,” said Gov. Evers.
Under the conservation easement, the working forest, which supports a variety of wildlife and habitats in the Wolf River watershed, will be protected forever.
“This is about making sure that what you see here today is what you’re going to see here in the future. In my mind, this changes the map, it’s the opportunity to really make an impact in a difference,” said Clint Miller of The Conservation Fund.
Read more about the Pelican River Forest and the hike celebrating the completion of the easement in this WXPR article.
Photo by Katie Thoresen.
