Tribal forests in Wisconsin are more diverse, sustainable

Don Waller first visited the forests managed by the Menominee Nation in the 1980s while studying the effects of deer on seedling growth. He was immediately impressed. The forests seemed more mature and healthy than those outside of the Menominee reservation in northern Wisconsin...

...Reo and Waller, a professor of botany at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, report in a recent issue of the journal Ecology and Society that the Native American-managed forests in Wisconsin host more mature stands of trees, greater diversity of plant species and more sustainable conditions than nearby nontribal forests. Many of the differences—such as the ability of tree seedlings to survive to maturity—can be traced back to the lower density of deer on the tribal lands...

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Ken Notes: I am sure there are two sides to this story, but the tribes do have some amazing property. I would love to see the tribes make their lands more accessible to camping, hiking and other activities. One of my favorite campgrounds in the state is on the shores of lake Superior on tribal lands...