Washburn County Forestry

The Washburn County Forest consists of 148,000 acres of public land in northwest Wisconsin. The forest is comprised of a wide variety of forest types ranging from the Pine Barrens in the northwest; to the large unbroken tracts of aspen, hardwood, and swamps in the northeast; to the rolling oak hills and pothole lakes in the southeast. The management of this forest makes a wide variety of recreational uses in Washburn County possible.

The County Forest is operated under the direction of the 15-year County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The 15-year County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan is set through the input of Washburn County, the State of Wisconsin, local townships, public input and various other groups. The 15-year County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan sets policy on all actions conducted on the County Forest. This plan is vital because it involves the public in how the County Forest is managed.

Included in the 15-year County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan is the Road and Access Plan. This plan regulates motorized access on the County Forest. This plan allows for areas of no motorized access, areas of limited motorized access, and areas open to motorized uses. This plan alleviates some of the conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users.

Washburn County is a managed forest. The forest provides revenue to the County while practicing sustainable forestry. This revenue also supports recreational uses and environmental protection.