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About the Forest
The Lake Linden-Hubbell
School Forest is a 400 acre area comprised of
the "Samuel Eddy Memorial Forest" and the "Hesterberg
Addition." Samuel Eddy, a prominent local
sawmill owner, donated 240 acres of open
farmland and second growth forest to the school
district in 1955 and 1956. In 1994, Gene and
Judy Hesterberg donated a 160 acre parcel
adjacent to the existing School Forest.
Both benefactors stated
that their gifts are to be used "for the sole
purpose of promoting and/or developing local
educational facilities benefiting the present
and future school children of the Lake
Linden-Hubbell School District."
Directions to the School
Forest
As you travel along Hwy
M-26 through Lake Linden, make a right turn on
9th Street (Bootjack Road). Drive approximately
5 miles until you see the signs for the SCHOOL
FOREST. Turn left and go straight up to the top
of the hill. The road will lead you right to the
School Forest main gate.
History of the Forest
In the 1950's, much of
the School Forest was open, level farmland
suitable for tree planting. In May 1955, Henry
Clouthier, Sr. machine- planted the first 10,000
red pine seedlings in the School Forest. From
1956 to 1990, Dr. Gene Hesterberg, a
professional forester, managed the School
Forest. Under his leadership, it soon became
traditional for high school students from the
Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools to hand-plant trees
each spring-it was possible to plant an
impressive 10,000 trees in one afternoon! Tree
species planted included red pine, white pine,
white spruce, black spruce and Austrian pine. In
the late 1950's 2,000 Scots pine were planted.
These were harvested and sold as Christmas trees
in the 1960's. Today, the trees planted in 1955
have grown to over 30 feet tall and are 8-12
inches in diameter. Beginning in the 1980's, a
number of the plantations have been thinned and
pruned to encourage tree quality.
In 1990, former high
school biology teacher, Bill Jarvis, assumed
responsibility for the School Forest. Mr. Jarvis
laid out and cleared a system of four trails,
installed outhouses and signs, established
rustic campsites, designed an orienteering
course and improved road access.
Through the cumulative
efforts of our forester, biology teacher,
teachers, Board of Education, administrators and
volunteers, the District began a revenue raising
program using the sale of select timber harvest
to finance the "dream project" of developing the
property into a premium facility with a log
instructional building, hiking trails, nature
trails and cross-country ski trails. The
District raised in excess of $45,000 for these
projects. Using these monies, the building was
erected and the property enhancements made.
Improvements since then have included an
addition to the original building, a well and
septic and road/trail improvements.
The facility now has a
log cabin with a beautiful stone fireplace,
kitchen area and indoor restrooms. There is a
network of roads and trails that blend
beautifully with the natural state of the
property allowing a high level of property
access by K-12 students and adults, including
those with physical handicaps. There is a cross
country ski trail that is maintained throughout
the winter months. The School Forest also boasts
a large fire pit area for campfires, an archery
range and a GPS Course that includes 15 geocache
sites.
In 2002, the School
Forest was the recipient of the first ever "Volkswoods
Citation" by the National Woodland Owners
Association for demonstrating good forestry and
providing educational opportunities for
children.
Teachers from all
disciplines use the School Forest in their
curriculum. Students from grades K-12 are
provided with opportunities to visit the School
Forest on field trips for a wide variety of
subjects including Science, Math, English,
Social Studies, Physical Education, Art and
Band.
Current Uses of the School
Forest
Parent Comments
"It is important that
children learn about nature and preserving it.
The Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools are fortunate to
have a School Forest that can give kids these
kinds of learning experiences." - Parent
Comment
"My children came
home with things they learned at the School
Forest that we can do at home." - Parent
Comment
"My kids learn about
nature and its wonders at their eye level."
- Parent Comment
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