Environment

Climate | Vegetation | Geology | Places of Interest

Northern Lake States

The information provided in this web site centers on the northern forest regions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, with special emphasis on northeastern Wisconsin. This geographic area encompasses the western portion of the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province, as described by the U.S. Forest Service classification of ecoregions in the United States (Bailey 1995). The vegetation and biological communities of this region are transitional between the boreal forest region to the north and the broadleaf deciduous forests of eastern North America. Because the growing season is short (approximately 100-140 frost free days), much of the region has been left or has reverted to forest, providing a major refugium for animal and plant species which have disappeared from other parts of the United States. Opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature appreciation are abundant, including six national forests, four national park units, and numerous state and county forests, parks, and wildife areas.