forest resources of the state, the organization of a forestry department, and the creation of a forest reserve. This was the first specific move on the part of the legislature to provide ways and means for the replacement of timber supplies on suitable lands in the state.” And, finally, in 1903 the first laws were put into effect in the state of Wisconsin that directly concerned forest fires and forest protection. Closely following this event was the creation of the state board of forestry in 1905. According to Quaife, “this board was given jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to fire protection and forest conservation and replacement.” Over the next ten years, the board worked diligently towards these aims. Quaife further elaborates upon this by noting that this agency was able to gain control of approximately 150,000 acres for forest conservation purposes in Vilas and surrounding counties. However, in the end these efforts failed to produce a forest reserve. At first these actions were looked upon with good favor, but public opinion soon turned hostile towards them. The primary reason for this lay in the tax-exempt status that was granted to the 150,000 acres. The result of this hostility culminated in court action before the Supreme Court in 1914 (with the court reaching its decision in 1915). The Supreme Court ruled that the forestry plan and acquisitions were illegal according to the Wisconsin constitution. Thus, state organized efforts at forestry conservation came to a halt. Conclusion As demonstrated, the efforts at conservation by the state of Wisconsin were slow and often ineffective. The enormous public demand for lumber products made any effort in these lines difficult at best. A nation caught in the wave of progress often ignores the severe damage it is inflicting upon the environment and the future. On the other hand, the rate and success of America’s westward expan...
