News

Van Vliet Hemlocks News


January 17, 2012
We are delighted to announce that Governor Walker approved the acquisition of Van Vliet Hemlocks by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on January 12, 2012. We have already begun working with staff of the WDNR on our progress toward final designation of the area as a “State Natural Area” and on plans for trail maintenance and signage at the property. We are looking forward to a very positive working relationship with the WDNR.

On another front, a committee of the Board of Directors of the Friends, along with the WDNR and the North Lakeland Discovery Center, will be working with a group of students and their professor from UW Stevens Point on the development of information and educational materials for Van Vliet Hemlocks. This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance our knowledge of this special land.


December 16, 2011
On Thursday, December 14, 2011, the Board of the Department of Natural Resources approved the acquisition of the Van Vliet Hemlocks from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. The transaction should close sometime in the next few months. The Board acted on a recommendation from staff that reads in part as follows:

The Van Vliet acquisition embodies the intent of the master plan [for the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest] by adding to the old-growth goal and protecting undeveloped wetlands and shoreline. Local landowners have sponsored the development of a nature and interpretive trail that is heavily used by local schools and nature centers. In addition, to meeting the several NHAL goals, this parcel and the Lehto Bog parcel would also become State Natural Areas, which would continue progress in achieving goals for the State Natural Areas program.

The next step will be to work with the DNR to achieve statutory designation of Van Vliet Hemlocks as a State Natural Area. We are already in touch with DNR staff regarding this process. We believe that we are close to achieving the goal of State Natural Area Protection for Van Vliet Hemlocks.

We want to express our gratitude to the leadership and staff of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands for both its stewardship and its cooperation in making this possible. We look forward to working closely with DNR staff as we move forward.


November 27, 2011
On November 14, 2011 the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands approved the sale of 432.5 acres of Trust Lands in Vilas County (Van Vliet Hemlocks) to the WI Department of Natural Resources. The next step is for the DNR Board to act on the staff recommendation to purchase the parcel. A board meeting is scheduled on December 14, 2011 in Madison for the DNR to consider the acquisition. The meeting is open to the public and members of the board of the Friends of Van Vliet Hemlocks are planning to attend. Tom Olson will give a short presentation in favor of the acquisition. The board of the Friends is also sending a letter in favor of the parcel becoming a State Natural Area.

This is exciting news for our group since State Natural Area status would advance our purpose to preserve and protect the parcel. We encourage our members to express support for this acquisition to the DNR.