Spanning over 60 million acres across northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the Great Lakes Northwoods form one of North America’s largest continuous forests—home to glacial lakes, towering pines, and legendary wildlife. This landscape is more than scenic: it’s the headwaters of both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, filters clean water, stores carbon, and supports a vast diversity of life. The Nature Conservancy+1
A Tapestry of Nature and Biodiversity
This forested expanse shelters iconic wildlife—moose, gray wolves, pine martens, black bears, and over 400 species of migratory and resident birds, including loons and neotropical songbirds. The Nature Conservancy+1 Whether you’re watching loons dive on glassy lakes or hearing the call of a wolf in winter silence, the Northwoods invite you into the wild’s heart.
Guardians of Nature: The Nature Conservancy’s Work
To preserve this irreplaceable region, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) employs a multi-pronged conservation approach:
Wisconsin: Forest Ownership & Conservation Easements
TNC owns about 5,000 acres of Northwoods land in Wisconsin—from old-growth forest preserves to former timberlands under active restoration. They’ve also secured working forest conservation easements on over 100,000 acres, allowing private owners to sustainably manage and protect the land while maintaining public access and reducing habitat fragmentation. The Nature Conservancy
Beyond ownership, TNC partners with public agencies and Indigenous communities. A major milestone: the rematriation of nearly 25,000 acres of former industrial forest to the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, empowering tribal stewardship and ecological restoration. The Nature Conservancy
Minnesota: Tree Planting & Climate Resilience
In Minnesota, TNC owns roughly 12,000 acres in the Northwoods, but their influence extends far beyond. They’ve helped secure working forest conservation easements across over 338,000 acres, and today are focused on increasing resilience on 50,000+ acres through strategic planting and fire-risk reduction. The Nature Conservancy Since 2005, over 10 million trees have been planted, with a goal of at least 1 million per year through 2030—prioritizing species like oak and white pine to better withstand changing climates. The Nature Conservancy+1
Nature’s Guardianship: Carbon, Clean Water, and Economies
Cleaning Water
The Northwoods’ dense forest and wetlands act as natural filters, protecting the headwaters of rivers and the Great Lakes that supply drinking water to nearly 50 million people. The Nature Conservancy+1
Fighting Climate Change
These forests sequester an impressive 12 million metric tons of carbon each year, making them a powerful weapon in climate mitigation. TNC’s restoration and climate-smart forestry efforts aim to boost that absorption even further. The Nature Conservancy+1
Habitat & Resilience
Beyond carbon storage, the Northwoods are rich in biodiversity—home to threatened species and essential for maintaining migration corridors and ecosystem connectivity as the climate shifts. The Nature Conservancy+2The Nature Conservancy+2
Economic Health
The region supports a $92 billion forest products economy (over 246,000 jobs) and a $25 billion outdoor recreation economy, with 311,000+ jobs in hunting, fishing, and tourism. TNC encourages sustainable management practices to safeguard these industries long-term. The Nature Conservancy+1
Why the Northwoods Matter—for You and the Future
The Great Lakes Northwoods connect us to ancient forests, glacial lakes, and generations of Indigenous stewardship. This landscape offers ecosystems that regulate climate, cleanse our water, and harbor wildlife that sustains both economy and spirit.
TNC’s work—through protected lands, partnerships, and science-guided restoration—ensures this wilderness continues to thrive. As land lovers, conservationists, or buyers who cherish Wisconsin’s forest heritage, this is our chance to support, celebrate, and protect the land that gives so much to all of us.