Lake Vermilion’s Wolf Island Protected
St. Paul - 09/03/2013
Historic and scenic Wolf Island has been entirely protected as an addition to the Superior National Forest, The Trust for Public Land and U.S. Forest Service announced today. Wolf Island is within Lake Vermilion, named in the 1940s by National Geographic as one of the nation’s top-ten most scenic lakes. Recently nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, Wolf Island will remain undeveloped and historic features, such as the cabin built by prominent 20th century architect John Jager, will remain intact.
“Preserving and protecting Wolf Island strengthens what is already a truly exceptional recreational destination at Lake Vermilion in the Superior National Forest,” said Susan Schmidt, Minnesota state director for The Trust for Public Land.
“The Superior National Forest is thrilled to complete the acquisition of Wolf Island. We look forward to sharing the island’s rich history and providing public recreational opportunities on Lake Vermilion,” said Brenda Halter, supervisor for Superior National Forest. “Protecting the natural and cultural resources of the island would not have been possible without the active and ongoing support of The Trust for Public Land. It’s an extremely valued partnership.”
Jager’s 1908 claim on Wolf Island was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. According to his letters, Jager had been seeking a place in nature ""he would know better someday than anybody.”
Since The Trust for Public Land acquired the land in 2007, they have led yearly tours to the island for the Bois Forte band of Ojibwe, reconnecting them with their history. The Ojibwe called Lake Vermilion Onamuni, which means “Lake of the Sunset Glow.” In the 1600s, it was a waypoint for French voyageurs, who translated the name to Vermilion. Lake Vermilion has the longest shoreline of any lake in Minnesota.
The Trust for Public Land purchased the nearly 58-acre island in 2007 to prevent development until funding was secured for the U.S. Forest Service to purchase the island for Superior National Forest. In 2010, the southern nearly 28 acres of Wolf Island were added to the national forest. Now the northern 30 acres have been added as well. The $1.719 million additions to the national forest were funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF is generated from offshore oil and gas receipts, rather than from taxpayer dollars. U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and U.S. Representative Rick Nolan supported this conservation effort.
Interim funding for the protection of Wolf Island was provided through The Trust for Public Land's Northwoods Land Protection Fund, a donor-supported revolving land acquisition fund.
Founded in 1972, The Trust for Public Land is the leading nonprofit working to conserve land for people. Operating from more than 30 offices nationwide, The Trust for Public Land has protected more than three million acres from the inner city to the wilderness and helped generate more than $34 billion in public funds for conservation. Nearly ten million people live within a ten-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year.
