d to the Oneida Purchase unit alongside the formation of the Oconto Unit. The Oconto Unit consisted of another 204,800 acres covering segments in Forest, Langlade, Oconto, and Vilas Counties. Finally, coinciding with the presidential decree already discussed, on March 2, 1933, the name of the region was changed from the Oneida Unit to Argonne, and it became the Nicolet National Forest. At long last, years of attempts towards conservation had been realized, the efforts of so many achieved. Wisconsin now had a National Forest to begin to reshape the lands devastated by a half century of intense lumber exploitation. With time and effort, it was hoped (and eventually realized) that these lands could be cultivated to produce a rich second growth forest environment that would provide revenue and a secure home for Wisconsin’s wildlife. It is important to notice, though, what the major draw towards the formation of the Nicolet National Forest was. Primarily the counties and the people therein were concerned about the future profit the lands could produce. There is very little attention paid to wildlife concerns by most. Keeping this in mind, one could say that conservation of forestland is not the true goal. As with most things in American society, it is the conservation of profit that usually steers a goal to a successful conclusion. First Years of the Nicolet Forest According to Elliot, one of the primary goals of the Nicolet National Forest and its managers was land acquisition. And, in 1934 crews were formed with the intention of mapping out lands for possible purchase under the Emergency Conservation Work Program. As a member of one of the first of these acquisition crews, Elliot serves as an excellent primary resource as to what they did and their manner of living. Although his retelling of events are told in a rather blunt and nonacademic manner, a glimpse into the lives of these men can be discerned. E...
