State Forest Acquisition, Richard J. Dorer Memorial Forest - Phase IV
This project will protect and enhance high priority habitat in fee for the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Forest in southeast Minnesota. This will include enhancing mixed deciduous forest lands through silvicultural practices and control of invasive species. The project will also provide additional opportunities for hunting in an area of the state where public hunting opportunities are limited. All projects will be done in accordance with the state forest land asset plans, RJ Dorer State Forest Plan and the SE MN Driftless Project Map.
Working collaboratively with staff from DNR’s Wildlife and Ecological sections, and local conservation partners,
DNR Forestry staff targeted acquisition opportunities in the Richard J. Dorer State Forest that best aligned with
forest management objectives and DNR land acquisition goals. Parcels were selected from area land asset
management plans, with priority focus on those that improved public access to state lands, consolidated
fragmented ownership boundaries, and provided protection of critical forest habitats. Permanent protection of
these parcels is more important now than ever, as they connect to larger forest habitat complexes, and provide a
crucial buffer between existing forestlands and the increasing development pressures on adjacent agricultural
lands.
Although we were successful in acquiring over 100 acres of important forest habitat, this amounted to only a third
of the lands we had sought to protect in this project. In total three new parcels were added to the Richard J. Dorer
State Forest system, providing a variety of benefits as described briefly below:
RJD Jefferson 6, Houston County – Acquired 40 acres of high quality mesic hardwood forest habitat; including a
vulnerable dry bedrock bluff prairie outcrop that provides crucial habitat for a state listed threatened species of
rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). Protection of this parcel helps provide an important buffer to adjacent agricultural
lands, and helps mitigate water quality issues from runoff entering Winnebago Creek, a designated trout stream,
less than a mile down slope.
RJD Arendahl, Fillmore County – Acquired 37 acres of valuable lowland hardwoods and forested wetlands situated
below steep talus slopes in the Root River catchment basin. Protection of this site is important, as it includes a
portion of a rare native plant community (southern dry talus cliff) that is ranked critically imperiled statewide
(S1), and provides important habitat for many species of greatest conservation need. Acquiring this parcel also
helps improve public access to another 360 acres of state forest land nearby along Torkerlson Creek (a designated
trout stream).
RJD Holt 2, Fillmore County – Acquired 28 acres of critically imperiled rare native plant communities (S1 and S2);
including dry southern talus bluffs, and a valuable wet mesic blue beech forest along a seasonal tributary to the
Diamond Creek (a designated trout stream). These forestlands provide important habitat for several state listed
species; including eastern spotted skunk, timber rattlesnake, and the western prairie fringed orchid. The northern
portion of this parcel sits adjacent to commercial agricultural lands, and had been managed as a buffer through the
CRP program. Forest restoration efforts are underway to further enhance the ecological integrity of this area.
$1,000,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands in fee for wildlife habitat purposes in the Richard J Dorer 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.
105 acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.
General Fund