Most of the land and funds to build the present lodge was provided by William Evjue, an 1899 Merrill graduate who's father was a lumber scaler in Merrill.
The Merrill School Forest is located ten miles north of Merrill on Highway 107, directly across from Camp Newood County Park.
Our forest has over 10 miles of mowed and maintained trails that are open to the public for year round use. About half of the trails are groomed in winter for cross-country skiing. Public parking is available at the bottom of the driveway, directly off of Hwy 107.
This is a "working" school forest, meaning we partner with the DNR and have a continuous forest management plan.
The school forest is owned and operated by the Merrill Area Public School District. The forest includes 764 acres. Most of the land and most of the funds to build the present lodge was provided by William Evjue, an 1899 Merrill graduate who's father was a lumber scaler in Merrill. There are over 10 miles of maintained Logging trails which double as hiking and cross country ski trails. The forests are logged with the assistance of the DNR forester. The money earned helps purchase skis, snowshoes, and other major purchases. In 2000-2001 over 5015 students, 400 parents, 220 teachers and 150 guests visited the school forest. Many classes stay overnight with their teacher.
The mission of environmental education is to help students become environmentally knowledgeable, skilled, dedicated citizens who are willing to work, individually and collectively, toward achieving and maintaining a dynamic equilibrium between the quality of life and the quality of the environment.
