School Forest History(click on image for larger image)

1943	The forestry club at the High School under the leadership of Melvin Knott was formed. The club was looking for a forest to use to learn about forestry practices. The location selected was the present New Wood County Park.
1944	William T. Evjue, a 1898 Merrill High School graduate, purchased 598 acres from Lincoln County and donated it to the schools. This is a memorial to his father, Nels P. Evjue, a pioneer Merrill woodsman. 2,000 trees planted by forestry club.
1946	The first Timber Trails Lodge was erected by Merrill faculty. It was formerly a warehouse from the CCC unit, Camp McCord. An additional 80 acres was purchased and donated by William T. Evjue. About 60,000 trees, conifers planted by students.
1947	Another 120 acres was donated by William T. Evjue. A pair of beaver were planted in Ripley Creek.
1949	Melvin Knott advisor to Forestry Club & School Forest Director
1951	Superintendent Russ Way appoints a planning group to make presentation to MAPS staff concerning classroom use of the forest.
1952	Jack Zei, a Junior High School Core teacher, conducted the first class trip to the school forest. John Deere Crawler purchased.
1954	The first overnight trip was made by Viola Holt and her American Problems class from the Senior High School.
1954	Bob Mc Mahn School Forest Director
1957	The Wisconsin Public Service Corporation donated 33.5 acres to the school forest. Total land in the school forest 765 acres.
1958	Al Curtis School Forest Director.
1959	A well was dug and the cost was donated by Mr. Evjue. Prior to the water was hauled from the spring. Two bridges built across Ripley Creek by Roland Hetfield and Al Curtis. White Pine log placed across river to form alligator bridge.
1961	Ripley Creek Nature Trail developed.
1979	The current School Forest Lodge opened in November. The Lodge was dedicated as the William T. Evjue Lodge the forest will still be known as the Nels P. Evjue forest.
1989	The Evjue Foundation donated $8,655 for the purpose of developing the Early Wisconsin Museum.
1990	Al Curtis retires after 33 years as director. Herb Schotz hired as the new director. Terry VanStraten assists Herb as director teaching one day a week. The Early Wisconsin History Museum opens. Robert and Mary Schaupp, the Oscar Wangen Family, and Wayne Schultz made major donations to this museum.
1991	The Evjue Foundation, Mr. Jack Lussier chairman, donated $10,000 to the school forest for the purpose of improving the environmental education program.
1992	Obstacle course built by special education classes from the high school under the direction of Tony Crabb.
1996	Herb Schotz retires as director. Mary Wendorf hired as the new director. Terry VanStraten continues teaching on day a week.
1997	Two new bridges built across Ripley Creek during the summer. Dam built in the fall to form a two acre woodland pond. Wal-Mart donated $10,000 to purchase 4-Wheeler and signs on hiking trails.
1999	New steps leading to lodge built by Lincoln Hills Boys School and Raw Hide Boys Ranch. Mitch Ziemke for an Eagle Scout project builds dock for new Pond. Boy Scouts place memorial trees and stone monument for all killed in school violence.
2000	Tree observation deck built and dock for pond finished by Raw Hide Boys Ranch and Lincoln Hills Boys School.
2002	New deck built around the front of the lodge and new windows put in at the west end of the lodge.