BRIEF HISTORY - LUMBERJACK RC&D
What is an RC&D?
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) is a rural development program focusing on conservation, development and the use of area natural resources to improve social, economic, and environmental conditions for area citizens. The National RC&D program was established by federal legislation in 1962 through the USDA Farm Bill. Lumberjack RC&D was established in 1968 as a local council. Local councils, along with a variety of organizations, companies and government entities provide assistance to local people in accomplishing their conservation goals. The RC&D Program was unfunded following the recession of 2008 with Lumberjack losing its federal funding in 2011. While this forced many RC&D's to close, Lumberjack remains a vibrant and successful RC&D and continues to provide quality programing. In 2018 Lumberjack celebrated 50th Years of Conservation by hosting a celebration at the School District of Rhinelander's School Forest, a place where Lumberjack has made a difference with several conservation grants. Today, Lumberjack is mission-focused and making more of an impact than ever.
Who makes up the Lumberjack Council?
The Lumberjack RC&D service area is made up of 10 Sponsor counties in Northeastern WI (pictured in green on the right.) In order to be considered a Sponsor (a member in good standing with appointee and voting privileges) counties must pay annual dues of $200. The following counties are currently Sponsors: Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Shawano and Vilas. Marinette County, which falls within the Lumberjack Service Area, is currently not a Sponsor County.
County Boards of Supervisors and County Land Conservation Committees (LCC) sponsor the Lumberjack RC&D Council by providing one representative and one alternate to the Council's Board of Directors. In addition, the Council may approve up to seven At-Large members to serve on the board. At-Large members may not be elected or appointed county officials. Members are responsible to keep their counties up-to-date with current Lumberjack news and present local projects to their Land Conservation Committees for approval as a Lumberjack Community Project. (See Projects Page for the complete policy and application.)
The council meets quarterly in January, April, July & October. At the October meeting, the Council determines project funding for the following year. An Executive Committee meets as needed in between full council meetings to make personnel and other administrative decisions. To learn more about the Council, visit our Governance Page.
BUILDING THE LUMBERJACK BRAND
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
In developing our mission, it was essential to portray our commitment to sustainability through partnerships and our belief that working together across landscapes, can affect quality of life.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Mission
In realizing our Vision, it became clear that sustenance is key to the future of our communities. Lumberjack is now mission-focused and makes decisions based on long-term sustainability.
Our Tagline
Our Mission
Our Tagline
Working with other Wisconsin RC&Ds resulted in this great tagline that highlights our commitment to conservation while representing our willingness to move forward and our ability to go above and beyond by working together.
We're always working!
Former Logo
Our Principles
Our Tagline
This logo was used by Lumberjack from inception in 1968 to 2017.
Current Logo
Our Principles
Our Principles
The Council wanted to maintain the consistency of the former logo by keeping the double bit axe for which Lumberjack is known, but highlighting sustainability (tree rings and date), partnerships (group of trees) and growth (tree line.)
Our Principles
Our Principles
Our Principles
Developing principles that depict our passion for conservation and commitment to partnerships and growth proved to be a valuable lesson. We realized we can and do meet these principles which is fulfilling for our Council. To see the entire Brand Document, click here.