The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has successfully acquired 16,000 acres of forested land across ten counties in northern Minnesota. This marks the agency’s most significant land acquisition since 2010 and aims to enhance environmental conservation, expand outdoor recreational access, and protect critical habitats.
The acquisition, which involved two transactions totaling over $17 million, was made possible through partnerships with organizations such as The Conservation Fund, Northern Waters Land Trust, and several Minnesota counties. According to Ingrid Johnson, the DNR’s northeast regional information officer, these collaborative efforts were essential to aligning conservation priorities and securing funding.
The first transaction, amounting to $12.6 million, utilized funding from the Minnesota Legacy Outdoor Heritage Fund. This collaboration involved Northern Waters Land Trust and nine counties, which selected 10,675 acres within Aitkin, Becker, Carlton, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, and Wadena counties. These lands will enhance existing wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and state forests.
In the second transaction, the DNR acquired 5,120 acres in St. Louis County for just over $5 million, using funds from the Reinvest in Minnesota program. This acquisition will consolidate ownership in existing state forests, creating larger, contiguous blocks of DNR land that are critical for wildlife habitat.
Johnson emphasized the ecological benefits of expanding contiguous land, stating, “Large blocks of land are really beneficial to the habitat that lives in these areas, especially our big traveling herds like deer and moose. Bear live there too. They all really thrive on big tracts of land.” She added that managing larger areas helps ensure clean water and habitat preservation.
The newly acquired land comes with various designations and regulations, which are still being finalized. “The land is available for Minnesotans and anyone else to use immediately. In scientific and natural areas, you can recreate as long as it doesn’t disturb the natural surroundings,” Johnson explained. Users must adhere to specific rules, such as staying on trails and avoiding hunting in areas designated for rare plant and animal species.
The foundation for this acquisition was laid between 2018 and 2022, when The Conservation Fund purchased land from PotlatchDeltic Corp. with the intention of preserving large blocks of forestland. The DNR and its partners subsequently collaborated to identify their acquisition priorities and secure the necessary funding.
DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen praised the acquisition, asserting that it will benefit both Minnesotans and visitors for years to come. “Public lands are essential to Minnesota’s environmental stewardship, identity, and economy, and we appreciate the collaboration of our partners as we work to steward and conserve these lands for the future,” Strommen stated.
Additionally, Jason Meyer, St. Louis County director of Land and Minerals, highlighted the broader economic and recreational benefits of the project. He stated, “It is projects like these which help strengthen local communities by providing economic, environmental, and recreational opportunities for the good of the region.”
The successful completion of this acquisition underscores the commitment of the Minnesota DNR and its partners to conservation efforts, ensuring that these vital lands will be protected and accessible for future generations.
