Minnesota has set aside more land in the northern part of the state for wildlife habitat, recreation, and economic opportunities. The Department of Natural Resources recently made history by acquiring one of its largest land holdings. The purchase protects thousands of acres of forested land across multiple counties. This accomplishment results from a partnership with The Conservation Fund, Northern Waters Land Trust, and ten counties.
Historic land aquisition
In a historic move this fall, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) acquired nearly 16,000 acres across northern Minnesota through two initiatives. These initiatives were led by The Conservation Fund (TCF) and the Northern Waters Land Trust (NWLT), in collaboration with ten counties. As a result, it’s one of the largest land acquisitions in DNR history.
Between 2018 and 2022, The Conservation Fund (TCF) purchased land from PotlatchDeltic Corporation, a major lumber producer in the country. Since then, the DNR and local counties have worked together to determine which lands to secure and how to fund the purchases.
In one transaction, the DNR collaborated with NWLT and local counties to strategically select 10,675 acres. The addition of this land will increase existing wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, as well as state forests. These parcels are within Aitkin, Becker, Carlton, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, and Wadena counties. This deal was funded by the Minnesota Legacy Outdoor Heritage Fund
“By keeping these forested lands forested, we are strengthening the ecological health of our region and creating new opportunities for people to explore and enjoy the outdoors,” said Annie Knight, Executive Director of Northern Waters Land Trust. “These lands will continue to support clean water, thriving wildlife habitat, and the connection communities feel to Minnesota’s natural places.”
Deal includes St. Louis County
The DNR also recently acquired 5,120 acres in St. Louis County. This allows the state to enlarge and combine existing state forest lands, creating larger, continuous blocks of DNR property. Funding for this came from Reinvest in Minnesota, which is a state conservation program that helps to protect environmentally sensitive areas.
“This project will benefit local economies, wildlife habitat, and the public well into the future,” said Jason Meyer, St. Louis County Director of Land and Minerals. “The collaborative effort of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and St. Louis County proved successful in consolidating important and productive forestlands for wildlife habitat and sustainable forest products, while securing the land for public use. It is projects like these which help strengthen local communities by providing economic, environmental, and recreational opportunities for the good of the region.”
DNR-managed land is classified based on its primary purpose. This helps to determine how it is used and maintained. Many of the new land-holdings will protect wildlife habitat, while others provide opportunities for hunting and fishing. Some parts will be designated as scientific and natural areas to protect some of Minnesota’s rarest plants. Those will remain open to low-impact recreational opportunities such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography. Other areas will be used to manage forest products, such as logging.
Further information about Minnesota’s state-managed public lands can be found on the DNR website.
More info:
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources permanently protects nearly 16,000 acres, the agency’s largest acquisition in recent history – MNDNR
- State Lands – DNR Management Units – University of Minnesota Duluth