Wisconsin is our 25th-largest state. Bordered by Illinois, Iowa , Michigan, and Minnesota, Wisconsin covers approximately 35 million acres. Almost half, 16 million, are woodlands or forests . Of its 65,496 total square miles, 11,338 are covered by water, and 54,158 are listed as land mass. Wisconsin also boasts 400 miles of shoreline along the Great Lakes. Who are the owners of this land, and who is the largest landowner of all? Meet the #1 largest landowner in all of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin County Forests Association (WCFA) . The WCFA manages 2.4 million acres of the state’s forest and woodlands.
What is the Wisconsin Forests Association (WCFA)
In short, the WCFA is an organization that provides guidance and support to local government agencies. The WCFA came into existence in 1968 as a not-for-profit association to provide help in Wisconsin’s growing county forest program. It functions in multiple capacities for Wisconsin’s forest and tourism industries, providing centralized communications and administrative services. The association allows for members to discuss issues and receive guidance related to county forests in a group setting. Additionally, available volunteer legal counsel provides leadership and insight into any proposed legislation that would affect Wisconsin’s forest land.