How are trees in Wisconsin’s forests subject to climate change?
The forested areas throughout the state reflect the changes in climate what is growing in them, and how. Find out how changes in climate and the arrival of non-local species are impacting the forests managed by the Menominee Nation and what it means for the health of forests across the state.
Explore the story
Questions to consider
Marshall Pecore shares about the Menominee people’s history of managing forested lands and how that has changed over time. What challenges are the Menominee now facing in managing the forests?
How does the work of the mill impact how trees in the forests are managed? What do changes in climate mean for the products produced by the mill?
Based on what you’ve seen and heard in the video, what is the importance of the forests for the cultural identity of the Menominee Nation? Are there natural resources that are an important part of your own cultural identity?
On the map
Neopit, WI
Menominee Tribal Enterprises is located in Neopit on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Almost all of the 235,524 acres of the reservation are forested lands.
In their words
“We’re hoping that the forest is resilient. And, you know, historically it has been. I think the next twenty years are more important than our last twenty years.”
– Marshall Pecore
For educators
Access the educator guide for this story for extension activity ideas, discussion questions, a background information essay, and standards supported.
Production credits
Producer
Finn Ryan
Videography
David Nevala
Editing
David Nevala
Photography
David Nevala
Music
Asche & Spencer
Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Essay
Sarah Wright
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Web Development
John Vieth
Special Thanks
Marshall Pecore
Pershing “Sport” Frechette
Paul Crocker
Menominee Tribal Enterprises
Avery Dorland, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Educator advisory cohort for 2024 updates
Illeana Alexander
Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission
Odanah, WI
Darien Becker
Welty Environmental Center
Beloit, WI
Dolly Ledin
Education Chair, Wisconsin’s Green Fire
Madison, WI
Lisa Johnson
UW Climate Leadership Team and Dane County Extension Horticulture Educator
Madison, WI
Leigh Kohlmann
Retired Middle School Educator and Independent Science Education Consultant
Oakfield, WI
Lynn Kurth
John Muir Middle School
Wausau, WI
Victoria Rydberg-Nania
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Portage, WI
Cathy Techtmann
University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension Environmental Outreach and Community Development Institute
Pence, WI
Julie Uram
Nature At The Confluence
South Beloit, IL
Sarah Wright
Eagle School
Fitchburg, WI