In the Northwoods, education often happens best when it is experienced rather than read from a textbook.

That is the philosophy behind a partnership between Trees For Tomorrow (TFT) and the Wisconsin Trappers Association (WTA), a collaboration aimed at passing traditional outdoor skills down to the next generation.

The joint effort will be on display during Forest Fest on Saturday, July 25. The annual event turns conservation concepts into real-world demonstrations at the Trees For Tomorrow campus in Eagle River.

Organizers are currently seeking new exhibitors and demonstrators to secure spots for the 2026 event.

For demonstrators like Mike Kortenhof of the WTA, participating in Forest Fest is about more than showcasing furs. He said ethical trapping requires a deep understanding of biology and ecology.

According to Kortenhof, to be an ethical trapper, one must learn to read the landscape. He added that the practice requires identifying tracks, recognizing seasonal shifts in wildlife food sources, and understanding the balance between predator and prey.

When these skills are shared at Forest Fest, organizers say they transform from historical curiosities into modern lessons in resource management. Instead of just viewing a pelt, students learn about animal adaptations and land stewardship.

Those interactive moments bridge the gap between Wisconsin’s history and its future, helping children realize they are walking the same trails mapped by trappers centuries ago.

A call for new storytellers

In that spirit, TFT is seeking additional exhibitors and demonstrators for the 2026 festival who can bring this same level of engagement to the public.

“We’ve found that the families who attend Forest Fest aren’t just looking for a day out, they are looking for a connection to the land,” said Mandy Gingerich, TFT operations manager. “By sharing these big questions about our ecosystem — how we maintain balance and what role we play in nature — our exhibitors lead visitors on their own process of discovery.”

Forest Fest provides a unique event to reach a captive audience of students and families. Beyond the festival day, these partnerships often extend into the SOLE (School Outdoor Learning Experiences) for K-12, where tactile tools and expert stories are often integrated into TFT curriculum.

TFT invites those specializing in various fields to apply, including: traditional trades and crafts such as blacksmithing, wood carving, and weaving; outdoor heritage such as wildlife tracking, navigation, and historic logging; and conservation science like forest management, wood products, furbearer ecology, and sustainable industry.

Forest Fest 2026 will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 25 at the Trees For Tomorrow campus in Eagle River.

This free, biennial community event features logging equipment demos, horse-drawn wagon rides, and hands-on activities for all ages.

Exhibitors and demonstrators interested in sharing their story and their expertise can find application details at treesfortomorrow.com/forest-fest/.