The Wisconsin Chippewa Flowage Forest Legacy project was selected March 15 to receive a U.S. Forest Service Wings Across the Americas award for their efforts in wild-bird habitat management.
Every year, the Forest Service recognizes outstanding work by partners and local Forest Service employees in conserving habitat for birds, bats and butterflies. This award highlights the outstanding partnership of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Trust for Public Land, and the U.S. Forest Service for work in land stewardship and bird conservation in northwestern Wisconsin.
The Chippewa Flowage Forest Legacy Program project links over 18,000 acres of resource-rich forest with nearly one million acres of protected forest lands on either side of the Chippewa Flowage Watershed. The program connects the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal land, protected county forest lands and state protected lands. This property is a critical piece of the forest puzzle in the Chippewa Flowage Watershed, the state’s third largest inland body of water, and a world-class fishery for muskellunge and walleye. A conservation easement on this site ensures continued unrestricted access to this Northwoods jewel.
This project is located adjacent to the Upper Chippewa Conifer-Hardwood Forest Important Bird Area -- designated by the Audubon Society for providing essential habitat that contributes to the protection of bird populations and communities, including a heron rookery. Endangered grey wolves are also known to frequent the property.
By permanently protecting important forest habitat surrounding the Chippewa Flowage -- one of Wisconsin’s largest wilderness bodies of water -- important ecological, recreational, social, cultural and economic benefits have been preserved for future generations.
