Funding Will Help Conserve Jobs, Wildlife Habitat and Public Access
Contact
Todd Holschbach
(608) 577-3071 (cell); (920) 652-9650 (wk); tholschbach@tnc.org
MADISON, Wis. — The Nature Conservancy today applauded U.S. Rep. David Obey of Wausau and U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl for their leadership in securing $2.3 million in federal Forest Legacy funding for the Wild Rivers Legacy Forest in northeast Wisconsin.
“We would like to thank Congressman Obey and Senator Kohl for their vision and hard work on the Wild Rivers Legacy Forest,” said Mary Jean Huston, director of The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin.
“This funding protects the final 14,500 acres within a 101-square mile project protecting forests, lakes and rivers in Florence, Forest and Marinette counties. This land will be conserved for future generations to enjoy while providing public access for outdoor recreation and a working forest to support the local timber economy.”
The funding was approved by the House and Senate last week as part of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for 2010. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation.
The 64,617-acre Wild Rivers Legacy Forest includes more than 70 miles of rivers and streams that flow into and contribute to water quality in Green Bay and the larger Great Lakes system. It provides important habitat for wildlife, including trout, migratory waterfowl and songbirds, rare species such as the pine marten, and wide-ranging mammals such as wolves and bear.
The property also offers exceptional recreation opportunities, including hunting, fishing in Class 1, 2 and 3 trout streams; snowmobiling; canoeing; kayaking; cross-country skiing; wildlife watching, and more.
Partners in the project include the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, International Paper, Conservation Forestry LLC and Forest Investment Associates.
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have helped protect 130 million acres worldwide. In Wisconsin, the Conservancy has helped conserve more than 140,000 acres since 1960. The Conservancy has more than 21,000 members in Wisconsin and offices in Madison, Baraboo, East Troy, Minocqua and Sturgeon Bay. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at http://www.nature.org/wisconsin.
