A non-profit organization
dedicated to sustainable forestry, education and accessible recreation

We Value the Forest Environment
AS a natural place for community engagement

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The Forest is:
A place for all; to learn, explore and recreate, a classroom, laboratory and provider of solitude.

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Our Purpose:

• To create a unique woodland learning environment
  where immersive opportunities in education, recreation and
  forest stewardship are accessible to the broadest audience.
  
  

• ​To foster a deeper understanding of forest ecology and sustainable forestry 
  practices for current and future generations​.

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we value

Forests
We are committed to sustainable forestry practices and the functions, products, and aesthetic values they provide for current and future generations.

People
We strive to provide opportunities for all consumers of forest resources to better understand sustainable forestry through stewardship, educational explorations and recreation.

Learning
We share a passion for learning through teaching, research, experience, and immersive educational opportunities.

Collaboration
​We address forest resource management issues through science driven collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and perspectives.

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Meet the Board of Directors

Tom Gaertner, President
Operates a tree farm

Mary Ann Buenzow,  Vice President
Forester
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-retired

Jonathan Piel, Treasurer
President, Friends of County Grounds Park

Jean Davidson
Executive Director, Davidson Yell and Tell Foundation, Inc.

Erich Ebert
Urban Wood Network WI 
​
​Alan Kesner
Wauwatosa City Attorney 

Patrick Walsh
Arborist, Hoppe Tree Service

Eric Zenz
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

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who we serve

We serve all visitors to the forest by caring for the land through sound, science driven, sustainable forest management. 

​We will create meaningful and achievable opportunities in education and recreation through thoughtful and innovative development of accessible trails, programs, and self-guided explorations in forest ecology and sustainable forestry.

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Our goals include:

• Connecting Milwaukee County residents and visitors of all ages and abilities with Wisconsin's forests resource to share awareness of the role of forests and their resources in our daily lives.
• Nurture opportunities that deepen the understanding of the ecological, social and economic benefits of Wisconsin forests.
• Provide sustainable forestry education experiences and activities for children in pre-K through grade 12, parents/grandparents, residents and visitors to the area.
• Connect with Wisconsin' s K-12 forestry curriculum to teach science, history, mathematics, social studies and other subjects using forestry as theme.
• Provide a rotating series of immersive indoor and outdoor exhibits, workshops, programs, guided experiences and community events.
• Offer an orientation to educational opportunities that connect with careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the arts.
• Become part of an integrated land use plan, linking the forest experience with nearby University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Innovation Campus, Milwaukee County Grounds Floodwater Management Facility, Milwaukee County Parks trails and facilities, and other nearby trail systems.

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Site Planning and Design
are underway for the non-forested areas of the property
Considerations include:
outdoor living classroom areas, natural play and picnic spaces, native pollinator gardens, amphitheater, arboretum
demonstration spaces,  gathering area and pavillion. 
We also look forward​ to offering:
Guided Educational Experiences 
School to Forest Partnerships
Interactive Demonstrations
Community Curated Installations
Opportunities for Community Monitoring

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