DNR Forest Enhancement Phase 2

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,172,000
Fund Source
Outdoor Heritage Fund
Recipient
DNR
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2022
End Date
January 1970
Activity Type
Restoration/Enhancement
Counties Affected
Aitkin
Anoka
Becker
Beltrami
Carlton
Cass
Chisago
Cook
Crow Wing
Dakota
Dodge
Fillmore
Goodhue
Hennepin
Houston
Hubbard
Isanti
Itasca
Kanabec
Lake
Lake of the Woods
Le Sueur
Meeker
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Pennington
Pine
Polk
Sibley
St. Louis
Todd
Wabasha
Wadena
Winona
Aitkin
Anoka
Becker
Beltrami
Carlton
Cass
Chisago
Cook
Crow Wing
Dakota
Dodge
Fillmore
Goodhue
Hennepin
Houston
Hubbard
Isanti
Itasca
Kanabec
Lake
Lake of the Woods
Le Sueur
Meeker
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Pennington
Pine
Polk
Sibley
St. Louis
Todd
Wabasha
Wadena
Winona
Project Overview

Minnesota's iconic northern forests, wetlands, and brushland habitats require management beyond basic forestry practices or at smaller scales than commercial operations work. Other enhancements, such as brushland shearing or mowing have low commercial value but high wildlife value. These additional habitat enhancements improve the quality of the forests for both wildlife and outdoor recreation. DNR's Conservation Agenda, Wildlife Action, Forest Action, SNA Strategic Land Protection and SFRMP Plans, will guide habitat enhancements in this proposal to see that all activities meet these objectives.

About the Issue

Northern Minnesota's forest habitats include pines, maple and basswood, aspen, oak forests and savannas, as well as different age classes of forests. The region also includes rivers, lakes, sedge meadows, bogs, and brushland. Each of these habitats are home to a wide array with game and non-game species, and multiple Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). They provide outdoor recreation, timber products, and support local communities. They also clean and absorb water and sequester carbon. However, these forests face increasing stress from invasive species, climate change, forest loss, and fragmentation. While forest harvest is an important tool in management of our forests, we can do additional or different enhancements to maximize the diversity and productivity of these habitats for both wildlife and people. For example, timber harvest can create a wildlife opening. However other management such as periodic mowing is needed to maintain he opening.

We will accomplish strategic and targeted enhancements through contractors to conduct activities which support healthy, diverse and resilient habitats. Activities may include 1) invasive species control, 2) firebreak development and maintenance as well as prescribed burns in fire-dependent forests, brushlands and wetlands, 3) maintaining wildlife openings 4) tree removal, girdling, brush mowing/shearing, 5) infrastructure for conservation grazing in openland and brushland habitats, 6) tree release, such as enhancing oak management for mast production, 7) forest regeneration site prep, 8) seed and acorn collection followed by broadcasting and/or drilling of seed, and 8) tree planting and protection to reforest and restore habitats, add conifer to the landscape, provide thermal cover, diversify forests, and address ash stand management.

Forest managers in Minnesota regularly work across agencies and NGOs to take a landscape view of forests. For instance, there is currently an NRCS RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership Program) that promotes young forests for golden-winged warblers and other species that use these habitats. The people involved with this program regularly talk to DNR staff and those working for other agencies in northern Minnesota to coordinate efforts.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(e )
Appropriation Language

$2,172,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance wildlife habitat within the northern forest region in wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, aquatic management areas, and state forests. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,172,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$2,115,300
Administration costs
$56,700
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.21
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - The DNR and partner agencies conduct a number of wildlife surveys, including moose, deer, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, woodcock, and songbird surveys.
Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas - A number of species are tied to brushland and young aspen forests in these region, including moose, elk, golden-winged warblers, and sharp-tailed grouse. Ongoing surveys and research on these species will allow the DNR to track local and regional responses to these and related efforts.
A forest land base that contributes to the habitat picture - These efforts will help manage forests in this region to benefit a range of wildlife species, both game and non-game. Ongoing surveys, especially among songbirds, will track long-term changes in bird populations in this region.
Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - The non-game program is very active in this region with projects assessing timber rattlesnake and other wildlife populations. And there are the same ongoing wildlife surveys as in the other regions of the state

Project Manager
First Name
Greg
Last Name
Hoch
Organization Name
DNR
Street Address
500 Lafayette Rd
City
St Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55055
Phone
651-259-5230
Email
greg.hoch@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency