The Clearwater County Land Department manages over 90,000 acres of tax forfeit land in trust for the people in the taxing district. Of this, 75,000 acres is forested and managed to ensure the health and productivity of the environment, the economy, and the social needs of the people. The county is the proud birthplace of the Mississippi River. It maintains a recreation system which is anchored by Long Lake Park and Campground, a 92 site camping and recreating facility on Long Lake, five miles north of Itasca State Park. The land department maintains 18 public accesses to many pristine lakes and rivers. The southern six townships provide a wealth of recreation opportunities including many miles of motorized recreation. The Carver Lakes hiking trail system and the North Country Scenic trail system pass through the southern forests of Clearwater County. Clearwater County is working toward adoption of a sustainable forest management system that will allow it to seek third party certification of our forest management practices.