THE PROGRESS OF FORESTRY IN WISCONSIN 



BY E. M. GEIFFITH 



STATE FORESTER 



The first forestry law of Wisconsin was passed by the legislature in 1903, 

 but it was so loosely drawn that practically nothing could be done beyond 

 setting aside some 40,000 acres on the headwaters of the Chippewa River as 

 a nucleus for a forest reserve. In 1905 an entirely new forestry law was 

 passed, its most important features being as follows: 



1. The creation of an absolutely non-political State Board of Forestry. 



2. The withdrawal from sale of all State lands in the northern portion, 

 or timbered area, of the State, and the provision making all such lands part 

 of the State forest reserve. 



3. Giving the State Forester the right, after examination and upon ap- 

 proval of the board, to sell any State lands in the northern portion of the 

 State, which either were found to be suitable for agriculture, or too scattered 

 to be of value for a forest reserve, the proceeds of such sales to constitute 

 a "Forest Reserve Fund," which should be used only for the purchase of lands 

 to consolidate the reserves and for the improvement and protection of the 

 reserves. 



The passage of this act by including all State lands in the northern 

 portion of the State, immediately increased the area of the reserves from 

 40,000 acres to over 300,000 acres, and through purchases of privately owned 

 lands over 100,000 acres, at an average cost of $3.00 per acre, have been 

 acquired, so that the reserves today total some 425,000 acres, and prospective 

 purchases will increase the total to about 475,000 acres. It is felt that 

 satisfactory progress has been made in increasing the forest reserves from 

 40,000 acres to 425,000 acres in seven years, but Wisconsin has only made a 

 good start as the State must have a reserve of at least 1,500,000 acres in 

 order to protect the headwaters of the most important rivers; aid in supply- 

 ing the wood-using industries with the timber which they must have, and 

 to protect the beauty of the wonderful northern lake region that should 

 annually bring millions of dollars into the State, through tourists, campers, 

 hunters and fishermen. 



The creation of the "Forest Reserve Fund" was a wonderfully wise move, 

 as it has encouraged the sale and settlement of agricultural lands, and has 

 given the forestry board a steady income with which to increase the reserves, 

 and also provide for their protection and management. In order to further 

 expedite the purchase of lands to block up the reserves, the legislature in 

 1911 made an appropriation of $50,000 a year for five years, but this amount 

 is entirely inadequate and must be largely increased. 



What specific object has Wisconsin in view of creating her Forest re- 

 serves? The State is building up her reserves in some of the most northerly 



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