Secretary of State Godlewski: BCPL Launches Maple Syrup Initiative to Generate New Revenue for Wisconsin Education
MADISON, WI — The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) today announced a new sugarbush project that will allow maple trees on school trust lands to generate revenue for public education.
“By tapping the potential of our maple trees, the BCPL is creating a sustainable source of revenue that supports local businesses, strengthens northern Wisconsin’s economy, and invests in public education. As these trees continue to grow, they will generate lasting value for our school trust funds,” said Sarah Godlewski, Wisconsin Secretary of State and BCPL Chair. “That’s a win-win for Wisconsin: supporting local jobs and businesses while generating revenue for our schools and keeping our public forests healthy for generations to come.”
The BCPL will partner with Lumberjack Maple Syrup Company, a family-owned small business in northern Wisconsin that produces approximately 8,000 gallons of maple syrup annually, depending on the season.
“As a family owned, local business located in the sugar maple rich region of Forest County, we are proud to join the BCPL to collect sap, care for the trees and land, and produce maple syrup for generations to come,” explained the Kowalkowski family.
This project will benefit the Normal School Fund, which supports University of Wisconsin scholarships and programs. It is one more way the BCPL can generate value from school trust lands while managing them for the long term.
“This initiative will create an additional source of revenue from the land and fits alongside our sustainable forestry practices,” said Kevin Burns, BCPL Forestry Supervisor.
The BCPL manages more than 75,000 acres of school trust lands and oversees more than $1.6 billion in trust fund assets that support Wisconsin public education.
Students from the U.S. Forest Service’s Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center helped install the sugarbush infrastructure. The work gave students hands-on experience in forestry and conservation as the operation took shape.
“BCPL staff are very excited for this opportunity to partner with a local family business and create a new revenue stream from our School Trust lands,” said Tia Nelson, Executive Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.
For more information, visit bcpl.wisconsin.gov.
About the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands manages Wisconsin’s school trust lands and trust funds. Its three-member board consists of the Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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