State Forest Acquisition, Richard J. Dorer Memorial Forest - Phase V
Phase 5 of the Sate Forest Acquisition project protected 43 acres of critical forest habitat in the southeastern ecological section of the state. These lands have been incorporated into the State Forest program of the Outdoor Recreation System, and will be sustainably managed for quality wildlife habitat, timber production, and public recreation in perpetuity. Additionally, over 300 acres of sensitive floodplain forest habitat were enhanced using a variety of methods.
In working with local conservation partners, DNR Forestry staff identified opportunities to acquire lands in the Richard J. Dorer State Forest that best met forest management objectives. Parcels were identified through discussions with willing private land owners, and ranked using DNR's strategic land asset management (SLAM) tool, with priority given to those that improved public land access to state lands, consolidated fragmented ownership boundaries, and provided protection of critical forest habitats. Due to a variety of circumstances, several of the larger acquisition projects targeted with this appropriation were unable to be successfully completed. In total we were able to protect one parcel for 43 acres; far below the original goal of 300 acres.
RJD Pleasant Grove, Olmstead County - This parcel consists of high quality wet mesic blue beech and bitternut hickory riparian forest along nearly 425 feet of Partridge Creek. It is ranked outstanding in biodiversity significance by the MN Biological Survey (MBS), and contains at least one plant species that is listed as state threatened, and several other species of greatest conservation need. Protection of this parcel helps provide an important buffer against nearby agricultural lands, and helps mitigate water quality issues in Partridge Creek.
Enhancement projects were focused on sensitive floodplain forest communities in the southeastern ecological section of the state that were degraded with invasive species and at risk of failing to regenerate. In total we were able to enhance over 300 acres of native forest plant communities. Our initial plan to enhance these sites included both removal of invasive woody species and underplanting of native trees. However due to limited availability of appropriate native seedlings, we instead limited planting to a single critical site along Clear Lake in Goodhue County. This provided an opportunity to expand our invasive species control efforts to a greater number of sites, and resulted in treatment of more than double our initial enhancement goal of 130 acres.
Efforts included controlling for terrestrial non-native species through a variety of treatment methods, including selective cutting, girdling, and herbicide applications targeting woody invasive shrubs. Forest species diversity was also enhanced through selective overstory thinning, site preparation, and planting of under-represented native tree species using specialized root production method (RPM) planting stock. Use of RPM hardwood seedlings in floodplain restoration ensures better site enhancement success by promoting rapid establishment of native trees in riparian areas before invasive species can gain a foothold.
$1,255,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and enhance lands for wildlife habitat in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Project sites selected for protection contain important ecological landscape features and native plant communities of high or outstanding biological significance, including floodplain forests and sensitive creek shoreline habitat. These sites were prioritized in part for the critical habitat they provide for several state listed threatened species.
General Fund