Jack Pine Forest/Crow Wing River Watershed Habitat Acquisition

During past decade there has been a significant loss of forest habitat within the Crow Wing River Watershed due to the conversion of that habitat to row crop agriculture and other development. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that about 42 square miles of pine forest have been cleared or are at elevated risk of being cleared and converted to croplands. 

To slow the loss of forest lands and they habitat provided by them, the project protected by acquisition in fee 2,280 acres of high priority habitat within the Crow Wing River Watershed. To achieve the project goals, the acquired fee parcels were transferred to Cass and Hubbard Counties to hold in fee and manage.

This project also funded the restoration of 92 acres of jack pine to the landscape. The amount of jack pine within the project area has been significantly reduced through a combination of conversion to row crop agriculture or replacement with other forest cover types such as red pine plantation.  Jack pine is a relatively rare forest type in Minnesota and provides habitat for many unique species. It is well-suited to the sandy soil types in the Crow Wing River Watershed. This project used several forest management tools to restore the jack pine that included site preparation, planting, bud capping and brush control. No herbicides were used for site preparation and brush control.

The acquisition of these parcels and the restoration of jack pine forest has provided significant value beyond the protection of key forest habitat. The project will also benefit water quality by conserving forest cover that helps to filter pollutants from percolating through the sandy soils that are prevalent in the Crow Wing River Watershed. It had provided increased public access for hunting and recreational activities. It has also enabled land managers of adjacent state and county lands to easily access those lands for forest management while providing wood fiber from the land to supply local mills. Water quality in the Crow Wing Watershed has become a top priority as a significant number of acres of forestland within the watershed has been converted to row crop agriculture and several irrigation pivots have been installed.  By protecting these lands from conversion, this project will provide increased protection of the surface and ground water, as well as provide sufficient wildlife habitat throughout the area.

The Byron Township Land acquisition included approximately 686 acres. Through consolidation of lands into larger blocks, better habitat can be created. Combining these lands with the adjoining County and State management forest lands, a habitat block of nearly 5,800 acres has been permanently protected.  

The Poplar Township Land acquisition included approximately 1,274 acres. Combining these lands with the adjoining County and State management forest lands, another habitat block of nearly 4,300 acres has been permanently protected.  Approximately  1.25 miles of Farnham Creek habitat flows through the property. The acquisition also adjoins and buffers the Dry Sand Lake Wildlife Management Area

The Badoura Township land acquisition included approximately 240 acres and connects two large blocks of county and state lands, including the Crow Wing Chain W. M. A., providing permanent protection to over 7,500 acres of quality wildlife habitat.

The Lake George Township land acquisition included approximately 80 acres of remote forestland that is completely surrounded by existing county-managed lands.  This acquisition protects the 80 acre parcel from potential fragmentation and loss of public recreation.