Yawkey Forest Reserve
NWLT's largest property, this forest reserve protects over four miles of shoreline on Lake Katherine and offers opportunities for exploration.
Natural Features
The highlight is the nearly 4 miles of protected shoreline on Lake Katherine, including two islands and Tigertiail Point, the peninsula that juts south into the lake. The conserved land west of Highway 51 borders the Bearskin State Trail. Forest types here vary greatly depending on where you stand. Primarily made up of second growth sugar maple and oak stands, the property is currently being mangaed for a greater diversity of forest types.
HISTORY
On October of 2018, the Yawkey Lumber Company and family donated this remarkable property after their 125 years of ownership and management. This one of the most valuable and sizable outright gifts of conservation land to a land trust in Wisconsin.
Town of Hazelhurst, oneida County
451 Acres
Ownership: Northwoods Land Trust
Getting There
The reserve is located primarily along the shoreline of Lake Katherine in the Town of Hazelhurst. There are several places to park along the road to access the preserve.
Dogs are welcome.
Bow hunting is allowed according to NWLT Guidelines.
MANAGEMENT
The preserve was enrolled in Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law (MFL) program prior to being donated to NWLT. Timber harvests are planned to promote a diversity of forest types with multiple age classes and species.
Benefits
Natural plant and animal habitat; water quality; public access; carbon storage and other nature-based services that lessen the impacts of climate change
Funding Support
This project was supported by grants from the Caerus Foundation, Arthur L. & Elaine V. Johnson Foundation, the Wisconsin Land Fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation as well as several private individuals and families.
More to Explore
Holmboe Conifer Forest State Natural Area
Dugan Swaush Lake Nature Preserve
Projects
Major Initiatives
Explore the three initiatives that NWLT is advancing to benefit current and future generations.
Old Growth Forest Initiative
Less than 1% of old-growth forest remains in northern Wisconsin todayand they deserve protection.
Shoreline Protection Initiative
Our region includes one of the highest densities of inland freshwater lakes in the world and headwaters to major river systems.
Conservation Priority & Climate Resilient Areas
Nature-based solutions offer real hope for lessening climate impacts at home and capturing and storing carbon.
