VILAS COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A big step was taken this week to connect two public forests in northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board agreed to spend $1.5 million to buy almost 600 acres in Vilas County. Several thousand more acres would need to be purchased in order to connect the American Legion State Forest with the Ottawa National Forest in the UP.

American Legion forest superintendent Steve Petersen says his crews plan to actively manage the additional forest land – and that provides jobs in the timber industry.

It will also be open to public hunting, fishing, and hiking.