Friends of the Nels P Evjue Merrill School Forest

12/10/2025

12/05/2025

MERRILL– After taking place in Merrill for the first time in 2024, the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge – Winter Edition will return to Merrill Dec. 6.

12/04/2025

Here is short story submitted by Friends of the School Forest Co-President, Rich Prange:

A Turtle Tale (Tail)

This is not a “warm-fuzzy” happy ending story; this is the real deal about a wood turtle picked up and rescued from the hot concrete street in front of Home Depot in Wausau. From the turtle’s point of view, here are the facts. Yes, I am a Wood Turtle (Glyptemys Inscupta) and I don’t know how I got out on a very hot noisy four lane street. The cars and other vehicles were deafening. I belong in or near a forested stream with clean water, sand and gravel.
A truck driver guy saw me from across the wide streets and whipped around in a U-turn, then picked me up. I have never been picked up off the ground by anything. About two hours later
the truck stopped and there was absolute silence. Then I got picked up again. It was that truck driver guy again. All was very confusing but the next thing I remember was the sound of water with sand, gravel and plants all around. Wow... It was Ripley Creek at the Merrill School Forest. Next spring if you see me on one of the trails you may pick me up , briefly, but then put me back where we met. I guess this story does have a warm fuzzy ending.

11/26/2025

After drawing racers from across the Midwest for the past four years, this year’s Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge – Winter Edition is set to take place on a secret course that includes the Merrill School Forest.

11/25/2025

With no students this week due to hunting season, we were able to catch up on some maintenance. We didn't sit around to watch the paint dry on the stairs. We got the ski chalet prepared for the season! Bring on the snow!

11/20/2025

11/19/2025

https://www.uwsp.edu/wfc/wisconsin-forestry-center/science-of-tree-felling-course/

2026 COURSE SPONSORS 2026 course sponsors will be announced soon. Thank you to the 2025 course sponsors for their generous assistance in scholarship funding, equipment, and volunteer instructor time.​  FOR EMPLOYERS AND...

11/13/2025

Proud to have the Ice Age Trail as part of the School Forest!

A Japanese hiker known online as “Masa" has become a local celebrity as he makes his way across Wisconsin on the Ice Age Trail. Share this story with fellow hikers and keep an eye out for him when you're on the trail!

10/14/2025

10/13/2025