Collaborative Forest Restoration in Northeast MN

This project will improve forest habitat through restoration of conifer and hardwood species on public lands in Northeast Minnesota. This work will be consistent with the Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, which recommends restoration of degraded and rare land features to provide benefits for wildlife, Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SCGN), water quality, and important ecological processes. This project will increase resiliency through enhancement of upland coniferous forest habitat and upland deciduous forest habitat, and improve the quality of a habitat that does not currently meet the criteria of a key habitat. Several SGCN depend on conifer forests including the Canada lynx, Northern Goshawk, Boreal Chickadee, winter wren, and the Oven Bird. The SGCN that would benefit from restoration work in hardwood forests include black throated blue warblers, northern goshawks, and red-backed salamanders.