Northwoods Land Trust
Yawkey Forest Reserve
On October 31, 2018, NWLT received a remarkable gift of 431 acres of land on scenic Lake Katherine in the town of Hazelhurst, Oneida County. The conservation land was donated by the Yawkey Lumber Company after their 125 years of ownership.
The new Yawkey Forest Reserve includes woodlands, wetlands and wildlife habitat, and protects about 4.4 miles of natural shoreline on beautiful Lake Katherine. It includes three small, undeveloped islands ranging from approximately a half-acre to two acres in size. These islands provide outstanding scenic beauty as well as critical wildlife habitat, so will continue to be closed to public access to protect alternate loon nesting sites. A few other particularly sensitive areas of the property will also remain closed to public use and will be clearly marked with signs.
The remaining majority of the property will be open to non-motorized public outdoor recreation including hiking, birding, snowshoeing, hunting and fishing. The Bearskin State Recreational Trail, used for hiking, bicycling and snowmobiling, runs along the west boundary of the property. Other points of public access for boating include the Hazelhurst town beach and boat landing on the west shore of the lake off Oneida Street (site of the lumber company’s former saw mill) and a canoe and kayak access site located northwest of the Highway 51 bridge. The lake’s South Bay and Tigertail Point can be seen from the Highway 51 bridge south of Hazelhurst.
The total appraised value of the property was over $12 million at the time of the donation, resulting in one of the most valuable and sizable outright gifts of conservation land to a land trust in Wisconsin.
This is truly an exceptional gift for all future generations on a highly scenic, clear water lake in northern Wisconsin. Our sincerest thanks to all of the Yawkey Lumber Company shareholders and representatives who committed to the lasting conservation of this historic property!
View the map of the donated areas and accessibility.
Northwoods Land Trust
The Northwoods Land Trust (NWLT) permanently conserves natural shorelands, woodlands and other natural resources to benefit present and future generations in Vilas, Oneida, Forest, Florence, Iron, Price and Langlade Counties in northern Wisconsin.
The Northwoods Land Trust (NWLT) was incorporated in 2001 as a nonprofit, tax-exempt conservation organization.
The organization grew out of regional lake leader training workshops where lake organization leaders and lake property owners expressed a need for permanent protection options for natural lake shorelands. Lake protection remains among the highest priorities for NWLT.
In 2003, NWLT’s first two conservation easement donations were signed – both on lakes in Vilas County. In 2004 NWLT hired its first employee as Executive Director. Our conservation work continues today with a staff of five, an outstanding Board of Directors, and dozens of dedicated volunteers.
NWLT is committed to excellence in land protection work. In 2013, NWLT earned the Land Trust Seal of Accreditation from the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission. In 2019, its Accreditation status was renewed.
Since inception NWLT has assisted over 120 private landowners in conserving their family lands for generations to come. NWLT provides services in seven northwoods counties – Oneida, Vilas, Forest, Florence, Price, Iron and northern Langlade Counties.
Now, 15,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and wildlife habitat, and 81 miles of natural lake, river and stream frontage are protected forever!
Read more about the Northwoods Land Trust here.