One of the founding industries in Langlade County is forestry. The Elcho School Forest was purchased in 1937 and according to records, was the first school district to purchase school forest lands in Langlade County. The students of Elcho School District are able to visit the school forest on a scheduled and regular basis for various lessons. Our students get a first-hand look at both modern and past logging practices, forest stewardship, various creatures and their habitats along with forest ecology. These annual hands-on learning seminars occur on an educational day which is held on the first Friday in May.
K-12 students experience first-hand operations on how a forest is managed properly, from tree identification to the processor, the forwarder, and finally to the sawmill. Presenters have brought along various products manufactured from wood and have explained how they are processed from start to finish. According to Angie Close, director of the Economic Development Corporation, forestry and logging provides over 317 jobs in Langlade County and has produced an output of over $19 million in revenue. “Every $1 million in forestry creates $677,000 output in other sectors”.
Our school forest facility is located at: N9576 Docs Road in Summit Lake.
|