Sack Lake Hemlocks Conservation Area
A property with extensive amounts of old-growth eastern hemlock and yellow birch that is hard to get to, but well worth the effort.
Natural Features
Perhaps NWLT’s best example of true old-growth forest, Sack Lake Hemlocks contains numerous large diameter specimens of yellow birch and eastern hemlock trees. The topography on the preserve is diverse, with undulating upland areas steeply dropping into forested bogs. The remoteness of the preserve and presence of a rare habitat type make it particularly valuable for wildlife.
HISTORY
In December of 2019, NWLT purchased the property from the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands through a land exchange transaction.
Town of knight, Iron County
129 Acres
Ownership: Northwoods Land Trust
Getting There
From Mercer take Hwy 51 north 8.5 miles to Island Lake Rd. Turn left and continue 0.4 miles. Turn left to stay on Island Lake Rd. and continue 5.8 miles. At the T-intersection turn left to stay on Island Lake Rd. and continue 5.1 miles. Turn left onto Pleasant Lake Rd. and continue 1.1 miles to an unpaved logging road. Park along Pleasant Lake Rd. and walk in to the preserve. There is no entrance sign for the property.
Coordinates
46.268581, -90.325865
Sack Lake parking area on Google Maps.
Dogs are welcome.
Hunting and Trapping are allowed according to NWLT Guidelines.
MANAGEMENT
The preserve is passively managed meaning activities only occur in response to natural disasters or threats to the conservation values. The intent is to allow for the continued development of old-growth forest characteristics.
Benefits
Natural plant and animal habitat; water quality; public access; carbon storage and other nature-based services that lessen the impacts of climate change; protection of old-growth forest
Funding Support
This project was supported by grants from the Caerus Foundation, Inc., John C. Bock Foundation, Modestus Bauer Foundation, American Natural Heritage Foundation, Arthur L. & Elaine V. Johnson Foundation, James D. & Jane P. Watermolen Foundation, and Cellcom Green Gifts Program.
More to Explore
Beaver Creek Hemlocks Conservation Area
