In March of 2020, members of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community and Menominee Nation marched from Mole Lake to the site of the proposed Crandon Mine, concerned about its environmental impact on the nearby Wolf River. Four years later, land that was once eyed for metallic sulfide mining is now part of the 70,000-acre Pelican River Forest, protecting the Wolf River watershed, wildlife habitat, logging, and outdoor recreation activities.
On May 22, 2024, the people who worked to protect the Pelican River Forest gathered to celebrate, joined by Governor Tony Evers. WXPR reported on the celebration that included a hike and conversation about the future of conservation work.
Protecting the Pelican River Forest was a challenge. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources authorized using Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program funding to purchase conservation easements from the Conservation Fund, the national non-profit organization that bought the land to conserve it for forest management and recreation.
Despite support from local tribes and town governments, ATV and snowmobile groups, and the forestry products industry among others, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) denied using Knowles-Nelson funds for the project. Ultimately, Gov. Evers went around the JFC and secured federal funding for the Pelican River Forest.
The protection of the Pelican River Forest was due, in part, to the range and number of organizations, groups, and individuals that all came forward to voice their support of the project.
Charlie Carlin, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Gathering Waters, Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts, remarked, “It’s just such a wide array of people who all come together because they care about clean water, and they care about protecting our forests.”
Eric Rempala of Oneida County Clean Waters Action noted that this project was “a tremendous effort by a lot of local people.” He hopes the project will serve as an example for future conservation efforts.
Featured image by Gov. Evers staff.
