For eight decades, Trees For Tomorrow (TFT), located in Eagle River, Wisconsin, has served as a beacon for environmental education, dedicated to instilling sustainable resource management practices in learners of all ages. To better understand what Trees For Tomorrow does today, let’s take a look back at what got it all started.
Pulpwood Goes to War
Eight decades ago, vast swathes of land in Wisconsin lay desolate—scarred by logging, fires, and neglect—amidst the backdrop of wartime demands. With most able-bodied men enlisted in the armed forces, the pulpwood supply crucial for the war effort and sustaining local mills faced a shortage. In response, the Wisconsin Victory Pulpwood Committee emerged, comprising of industry leaders, officials, journalists, and concerned citizens. Spearheaded by Melvin “Mully” Taylor, then an advertising professional, the committee launched the “pulpwood goes to war” campaign in 1943. This effort rallied communities together to contribute to the war effort, culminating in truckloads of timber being dispatched from forests to mills during the Pulpwood Roundup event.
2 for 1
Inspired by the success of this coordinated endeavor, the idea of long-term resource stewardship took root. Thus, on February 22, 1944, Trees For Tomorrow was born—a nonprofit initiative initiated by nine paper mills from the Wisconsin River valley. Based in Merrill, Wisconsin, and under Taylor’s leadership, the organization introduced the innovative “2 for 1” plan, offering two seedling trees for every one cut. Over the next two decades, Trees For Tomorrow facilitated the distribution and mechanical planting of 23 million trees, devised management strategies for 370,000 acres of private woodlands, and oversaw the sale of 400,000 cords of wood.
More Than a Tree Planting Organization
Today, Trees For Tomorrow proudly upholds the legacy of its founders at its Eagle River campus, serving as a hub for diverse educational experiences. Catering to schools, community groups, families, and individuals keen on immersing themselves in nature, TFT’s team of environmental educators offers tailored programs and curriculum options.
The organization owes its sustained success to robust partnerships with various entities, including Green Bay Innovation Group, that share its commitment to environmental education. Collaborations, spanning from individuals, local businesses, regional organizations, and international corporations, highlight the collective effort to foster responsible resource use, inspire the next generation of industry professionals, and cultivate environmental stewardship in future landowners.
What sets Trees For Tomorrow apart is its commitment to imparting knowledge rooted in scientific inquiry rather than promoting personal opinions. Through hands-on experiences such as visits to logging sites, interactions with forestry professionals, and ecological investigations, students gain insights into sustainable management practices. In addition, TFT’s educational initiatives equip individuals with the skills and insight to make informed decisions about environmental conservation and multiple use management of natural resources.
Financial support from a diverse group of donors and partners ensures that Trees For Tomorrow’s programs remain accessible, often at a fraction of their actual cost. In addition to financial support, these stakeholders play a crucial role in shaping the future of environmental stewardship by empowering the next generation to realize the need to use science to manage natural resources. With nearly 500 individuals, organizations, and businesses lending their support annually, Trees For Tomorrow continues to thrive as a testament to the shared determination to manage our natural resources for generations to come.
To learn more about Trees For Tomorrow, contact Cheryl Todea, Trees For Tomorrow’s Executive Director, at ctodea@treesfortomorrow.com, 715-479-6456 or visit TreesForTomorrow.com.
