RHINELANDER, Wis. (WJFW) – The proposed Pelican River Forest was in jeopardy after Senator Mary Felzkowski of Tomahawk blocked state funding. But a new funding source means the largest conservation effort in Wisconsin history will move forward. Governor Evers announced this week more than 50 thousand acres of land east of Rhinelander will be conserved. It’s meant to support wildlife while allowing public access and sustainable logging. Kathleen Cooper of Rhinelander attended the Governor’s state of the state address Tuesday. She was stunned when the Pelican River Forest announcement was made. She and others are happy their hard work paid off.