​Timber Management

Timber Property

Forest picture with a large tree in the center of teh photo
The Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) oversees over 75,000 acres of School Trust Lands. These lands are managed as a working forest to generate revenue through a sustainable timber harvesting program. Most of these timberlands are in a nine-county area in the northern third of Wisconsin. View a map of School trust land total acreage by countyPDF icon indicating link will open a PDF file in a new tab.
ong>. BCPL continues to meet sustainable annual harvest levels, while also identifying and protecting unique or High Conservation Value areas.

Balanced Intentions

Recently logged area with a ton of new tree growth
BCPL holds land and other assets in trust for its beneficiaries. As such we have a fiduciary duty to prudently manage, protect and enhance the value of these trust lands. To meet these obligations, our staff engage in a range of forest land management activities that include sustainable timber harvesting in addition to land sale/purchase and exchanges - with the goal of enhancing long-term timber revenue and to increase public access.

In our dual role as producers of income for current and future Trust beneficiaries, we are committed to a long-term strategy of sustainable forestry.
ong>. BCPL continues to meet sustainable annual harvest levels, while also identifying and protecting unique or High Conservation Value areas.

Timber Sales

Logging truch loading logs onto a truckTimber production and other land management activities are planned and scheduled to provide a stable flow of revenue. Timber harvests are used as a tool to: 1) generate revenue; 2) maintain a healthy forest; 3) encourage forest types that are more adapted to existing site and climatic conditions; 4) increase the value and growth of residual trees; and 5) increase public access through road construction and maintenance. View the ​​​​Timber Property Management Map.

Timber sales are offered to the logging community via a sealed bid auction twice each year. View lists of all upcoming bids and past timber sales. BCPL continues to meet sustainable annual harvest levels, while also identifying and protecting unique or High Conservation Value areas.

Timber Harvest

Big stack of large diameter logs waiting to be picked up from a recent timber harvest.
We’re permanent fund managers with a long-term planning horizon. As such, it makes sense to manage those lands in a way that protects and preserves them for future generations of beneficiaries. During harvests, we intentionally leave some big trees in place to provide for the benefit of wildlife and forest diversity. We also identify and protect areas of unique ecological value. BCPL harvests trees in an ecologically and responsible and sustainable manner.

Forest Legacy

Panoramic view of printing forest land with a lake in the distanceBCPL owns some of the best pristine lands in Wisconsin, t​his is because many of our lands came to us back in 1848 and have been under BCPL ownership ever since. We have worked hard to sell or exchange lands that have special natural area qualities (or high conservation values) to the Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Parks Service, Counties and local Land Trusts that have a conservation mandate. We are proud that our efforts have resulted in more than 19,000 acres of unique and sensitive land being conveyed to such groups for protection. This provided us with the funds to purchase a commensurate amount of other timber lands to manage for our beneficiaries.

Good Neighbors

Aerial image of a mature forest areaWe have also worked hard at being good neighbors and good partners to the other stakeholders in our land holding areas.

  • We have created a public map and information portal that anyone can access to learn about our properties and upcoming timber sales.
  • We have made a more effective and efficient method to communicate our timber sales through typical media outlets as well as an updated website.
  • We work with our loggers to make sure that timber harvests are conducted in a responsible manner.
  • We welcome people to enjoy outdoor recreation on our lands. Although our lands are not required to be open to the public, they are open because of board policy.
  • BCPL properties provide people with unique places to recreate and enjoy nature.
  • We have increased accessibility to our lands through land acquisitions and road improvements.

Forest Inventory

BCPL conducts forest inspections on about 20% of its ownership annually. These detailed site visits document various attributes that help to describe the condition of the forest - such as species composition, growth, timber volumes, tree regeneration, and insect/disease problems, to name just a few. This information is vital to develop detailed management plans and sustainable harvest schedules for our entire land base.

Management Planning

Two hands framing the Earth with a Tree growign out of the topThe management of BCPL woodlands is guided by a comprehensive management planPDF icon indicating link will open a PDF file in a new tab, along with a detailed Geographic Information System (GIS). This plan and the associated GIS data contain site-specific information about timber management including timber harvest schedules, forest monitoring, and non-commercial treatments, as well as information about water features, wetlands, rare species, roads, historical sites, and past management activities. We have analyzed the historical records of over 1,000 timber sales going back to the onset of logging on Trust Lands in 1943. This data is also stored in the management GIS which allows us to efficiently review treatment history for any given area of our property.

Forest Certification

American Tree Farm System Logo  
Forest Landowners that sell forest products benefit from “third party” certification to verify that they are practicing forestry in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner. A growing number of consumers prefer proof of a forest certification when purchasing wood or paper products. The BCPL forest management program and land base have been third-party certified through the American Forest Foundation Eight Standards of Sustainability (AFF Sustainability StandardsPDF icon indicating link will open a PDF file in a new tab). This certification program is administered by the American Tree Farm System under a Group Certificate (#: US015568). The BCPL land base and management procedures are audited annually to verify that they continue to adhere to the Tree Farm sustainability principles and guidelines.