County Forest Certification
Collectively, county forests in Wisconsin represent the largest public landholding in the state. A cooperative management framework between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the counties provides the opportunity for the county forest group certification program. DNR holds the certificate for 27 participating counties with 2.4 million acres.
Individual counties are free to choose either or both Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) [exit DNR] and Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) [exit DNR] standards. These are the two most widely accepted forest certification systems in North America. NSF-International Strategic Registrations and Scientific Certification Systems provided the evaluation and certification.
FSC certification means that the forest is managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards. The Wisconsin County Forest Program currently holds this certification [PDF]. Wisconsin is also a participant in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program [exit DNR], and holds a certificate of registration [PDF].
At a certification ceremony on March 18, 2005, Gov. Jim Doyle acknowledged that the county forest program is "a unique partnership that stretches back 76 years and it's a great example how local governments and state agencies can work together in addressing statewide needs." Wisconsin County Forest Association Director Colette Matthews added, "Our County Forest people have felt for a long time that they have been doing things right. They are extremely proud of the management being done on these forest lands. Having their work verified by the certification systems confirms their beliefs and gives all those who work on the County Forests a reason to feel very proud of their accomplishments."
The county forest system provides more than 9,100 miles of managed snowmobile trails, 1,700 miles of managed ATV trails, 460 miles of cross-country skiing trails, 400 miles of horse trails, 400 miles of bicycle trails and thousands of miles of forest roads, along with a wealth of hunting and fishing opportunities. Forest products from these forests generate in excess of $40 million dollars annually in timber sale revenue for the counties plus an additional $28 million in economic impact to the local communities.
County forest assessment reports
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Forest Stewardship Council audit reports identifying strengths and areas of improvement for the Certified Wisconsin County Forest are available for review.
Forest Stewardship Council
- 2020 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2019 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2018 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2017 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2016 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2015 Assessment Report [PDF]
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- 2020 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2019 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2018 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2017 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2016 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2015 Assessment Report [PDF]
- 2014 Assessment Report [PDF]
Twenty-seven of Wisconsin's 30 county forests are currently certificated under the standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the Forest Stewardship Council or both. Independent, third-party certification means management of the county forests meets strict standards for ecological, social and economic sustainability.
The table below displays the location and acreage of all certified county forest lands in the state.
County | SFI-only certified acres |
FSC-only certified acres |
FSC- and SFI-certified acres (dual certification) |
---|---|---|---|
Ashland | 40,305 | ||
Barron | 16,265 | ||
Bayfield | 171,993 | ||
Burnett | 111,516 | ||
Chippewa | 34,654 | ||
Clark | 134,742 | ||
Douglas | 280,066 | ||
Eau Claire | 52,811 | ||
Florence | 52,811 | ||
Forest | 14,096 | ||
Iron | 175,193 | ||
Jackson | 122,051 | ||
Juneau | 17,799 | ||
Langlade | 130,877 | ||
Lincoln | 100,843 | ||
Marathon | 30,474 | ||
Marinette | 229,939 | ||
Oconto | 43,706 | ||
Oneida | 82,399 | ||
Polk | 17,183 | ||
Price | 92,302 | ||
Rusk | 89,324 | ||
Sawyer | 115,197 | ||
Taylor | 17,688 | ||
Vilas | 41,140 | ||
Washburn | 149,951 | ||
Wood | 37,762 | ||
TOTALS | 609,313 | 169,396 | 1,623,354 |