This new priority of the Wisconsin Stewardship Network is under development

The fragmentation of Wisconsin's remaining large tracts of forest into smaller and smaller pieces is a growing concern. Development, new roads, and certain forestry practices are fracturing the forests.

The WSN will promote public policies that prevent forest fragmentation by producing a database of critical private lands to help land trusts better target areas for conservation programs, defending the integrity of our last remaining natural areas in the forest plans for state and federal forests, urging our elected officials to support the Forest Legacy & Stewardship programs, and working with concerned citizens to protect our public forests from ATV abuse.

Many different species require large blocks of habitat for their survival. The canada yew, white cedar, hemlock, certain orchids, wood turtles, and warblers and other tropical birds are a few of the plants and animals that thrive in a deep, diverse forest habitat.

Forest fragmentation makes management of land practices more difficult. Dozens or hundreds of small landowners may have different and competing goals for use of their parcels. Recreational uses, from trails to hunting, face future complicated challenges as forest blocks shrink. Tourism dollars could also decline in communities that depend on visitors who enjoy their natural resources. The Wisconsin Stewardship Network will work to slow forest fragmentation. Watch this page for news and updates on how you can help.

Forest Legacy Program Escapes Huge Budget Axe in 2004 - March 29, 2004 Eccola
Pristine Wilderness in Court - March 29, 2004 New York Times - U.S. Supreme Court to determine if the courts can require federal agencies to enforce Congressional mandates; case involves Utah wilderness areas
Vilas County Voters Reject ATV Trail Expansion - Concern over land degradation and safety issues key to vote.
Forest Keepers - Menominee have been practicing sustainable forestry for centuries.
DNR Files Comments On Federal Master Plan For Chequamegon & Nicolet National Forests - [this is a 309MB file and may take some time to load.]
Action Alert - Act now on this WI forest master plan issue.
Wisconsin ATV Fatality Summary - Deaths already approaching last year's total. And Natural Trails and Waters Coalition works to protect public lands and waters from ATV, jet-ski and other recreational vehicle abuses.
Certification Would Go A Long Way To Ensure Sustainable Forests - Growing movement in state forestry can protect habitat and environment.
Public Comments Needed On Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest Master Plan - DNR extends comment deadline to June 16 for new 220,000 acre state forest.
Public Meeting Set For State's Largest Forest - April 29 meeting in Boulder Junction will explore preferred management plan for the 220,000 acre Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. And view a map of the forest.
For Sale: Wisconsin's Northwoods Ownership Rapidly Changing Hands - Development and economy pressuring Wisconsin's future.
DNR Identifies Special Places Deserving Protection In 50 Year Plan - Land legacy project considers future conservation and public recreation needs. And read the Green Bay Press Gazette's story on the protection effort.
Brule River State Forest Plan Managment Hearings Set For September - DNR wants public input on how to manage state forest.
Fears Of Land Sale Hit Northwoods - Paper companies looking to unload vast tracts of forest land, could reshape the look of northern Wisconsin according to Green Bay Press Gazette.
Scientists Write President Bush About Forest Health - Call for protection and restoration made by 220 scientists, including three from Wisconsin. [You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this, click here for a free download if you need it.]

Links:

The Forest Fragmentation Project, Northern Wisconsin - A project of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.
Low Impact Forestry: Forestry As If The Future Mattered - New book gives gives historical, ecological, social, and economic views of forest management, using Maine as a case study.
Natural Trails and Waters Coalition - Protecting public lands and waters from jet-ski, ATV and recreational vehicle abuse.

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