Why is this goal important?
Minnesotans enjoy a rich and varied landscape. An impressive array of natural resources and environments contributes to our high quality of life. Natural lands support a diversity of species (see Fish and Wildlife goal), abundant aquatic ecosystems (see Waters goal), and varied forests (see Forest goal) that are a foundation for agriculture, timber production, mineral extraction, and recreation (see Recreation goal). This connection between people and place is Minnesotans’ natural legacy.

Conserving Minnesota’s natural lands—natural areas, parks, wildlife areas, working forests, wetlands, and grasslands—is increasingly challenged by land-use changes and habitat disruptions. Natural habitats are being divided into fragments too small to support healthy wildlife populations and important ecological services, or to provide sustainable recreation or commercial use of natural resources. Minnesota’s natural lands must be carefully managed and conserved.           

Minnesota’s natural lands are a defining component of the state’s quality of life.		Fragmenting natural lands contributes to habitat loss, degrades water quality, and reduces commercial and recreational uses of natural resources.

How will this goal be accomplished?
DNR will continue to acquire and manage public lands that provide recreation and other natural resource opportunities. DNR will continue to cooperate in efforts to maintain, restore, and connect natural lands and waters, working with partners across ownerships and landscapes.

The agency will also continue to use grants, education, and technical assistance to help local governments, communities, and private landowners identify, protect, and manage natural lands and agricultural lands, which traditionally provide large tracts of land for hunting, wildlife observation, and other outdoor recreation activities. Communities, particularly in the fast-growing counties ringing the Twin Cities metro area and in the growth corridor between the Brainerd Lakes area and Rochester, have a narrow window of opportunity to acquire and protect open space and natural areas before they disappear.
 

What is DNR’s progress to date?
Wildlife Management Areas. DNR manages more than 1,380 public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) covering 1.2 million acres in 86 of the state’s 87 counties. These areas provide recreation for hundreds of thousands of hunters and wildlife watchers each year. Annual targets for WMA protection are based on stakeholder input and long-range plans. 

Minnesota has more than 1,380 public wildlife areas covering 1.2 million acres of habitat. DNR plans to add 8,000 acres to the WMA system each year during FY07–FY08. Stakeholders recommended in December 2002 that DNR acquire 21,000 acres for the WMA system per year for 10 years, then 12,250 acres per year for 40 years.

Farmland conservation. The landscape in Minnesota’s agricultural areas has been dramatically altered by farming. Wildlife populations declined as the historic prairie wetlands of southern and western Minnesota were converted to croplands. Federal farm policy has played an important role in shaping this landscape. The 1985 Federal Farm Bill’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has provided substantial conservation opportunities on agricultural lands.

DNR has increased collaboration with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources  (BWSR), Pheasants Forever, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to promote the conservation provisions of the 2002 Federal Farm Bill on private lands. In FY05, 06, & 07 DNR provided $337,500 to hire technicians, who worked out of local SWCD county offices, to help landowners enroll in Federal Farm Bill conservation programs. DNR is encouraging enrollment in continuous CRP and the state’s Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program.
 

Community land protection projects. Open spaces are often lost because local governments lack resources to acquire them. DNR matching grant programs help by reimbursing local governments for 50 to 60 percent of the appraised value. Because local governments assume responsibility for the areas, this partnership allows the state to help protect natural resource and recreation areas without having to operate or maintain them. In the last six years, DNR helped local governments acquire 2,042 acres of regional parkland outside the Twin Cities metro area. Over the last ten years, 52 Natural and Scenic Area grants helped local governments acquire almost 1,860 acres of high-quality land.

Greater Twin Cities metro area habitat. DNR will continue to collect and analyze data and provide technical assistance to communities to increase awareness of ways to conserve natural resources. In the Twin Cities metro area, for example, DNR developed an ecological assessment that identified approximately 280,000 acres of undeveloped high-quality terrestrial and wetland habitats. This information helps communities direct conservation actions. Two key partnerships that support the protection and restoration of targeted habitat acres in the 14-county greater metro area are DNR's Metro Greenways Program and the Metro Conservation Corridors Partnership, a consortium of non-profits and local governments. During FY2004 -2005 these programs protected 1,716 acres and restored 1,778 acres. During FY2006 - 2008, these programs aim to protect an additional 2,600 acres and restore 2,000 more habitat acres.

County Biological Survey. Most Minnesota land is not directly managed by DNR. Thus, an important goal for DNR is to ensure that all landowners have the information they need to manage natural resources. The Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS) helps meet that goal by providing baseline information about unique natural areas and rare features, and tools to help sustain them.

The MCBS is a systematic survey of the state's native plant communities, rare species locations, and potential natural areas. Survey information is made available in various formats, including maps, publications, and electronic data files. Surveys are completed in 61 of Minnesota’s 87 counties, underway in fourteen others, and being proposed for two additional counties.

The DNR has established a target of completing surveys for 70 counties by 2008 and all counties by 2021.

Using County Biological Survey information and a Natural and Scenic Area grant, Stearns County expanded its Quarry Park Natural Area, now a 622-acre multi-use area providing habitat for rare populations of a rein-orchid, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Acadian Flycatcher.

Learn more about:
Wildlife Management Areas
Conserving natural lands in urban and developing areas
Local communities use information on natural features and rare species

Why is this goal important?
Minnesota’s rich natural heritage is integral to its citizens’ high quality of life. The state ranks second in the nation in the percentage of its population that engages in fishing and wildlife viewing. Fifteen percent of Minnesotans hunt or trap—the sixth-highest percentage in the United States. In 2001, anglers spent $1.3 billion in Minnesota. Expenditures by people participating in bird-watching, wildlife tourism, bird feeding, and wildlife photography in Minnesota grew from $383.2 million in 1996 to $523.5 million in 2001—an increase of 36.6 percent in five years.
 

How will this goal be accomplished?
DNR conserves and enhances fish and wildlife by managing and restoring fish, wildlife, and native plant populations and their supporting habitats. Specific activities include monitoring, research, habitat protection through acquisition and management, restoration and recovery of common and endangered species, and education.

DNR has stewardship responsibility for:
• more than 50 big game, small game, waterfowl, migratory bird, and furbearer species managed through regulated harvest
• 311 bird species, 84 species of mammals, 53 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 49 species of mussels
• 439 species that are endangered, threatened, or of special concern
• 5,400 fishing lakes, 15,000 miles of streams, 3,600 miles of trout streams, 1,575 public water access sites, and 309 fishing piers and shore fishing sites
 

What is DNR’s progress to date?
Native shoreland habitat restoration and protection. DNR provides education, technical assistance, and grants to private citizens, conservation organizations, and local governments to restore altered shoreland habitat in order to expand diversity and abundance of native aquatic plants, improve and protect quality of shoreland habitat, and enhance and protect water quality. Since 1998, over 206 sites comprising 74,928 linear feet and over 54 acres of shoreland habitat have been restored by DNR’s Shoreland Habitat Program.

DNR produces educational materials on conserving and restoring shoreland habitat, including the book Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality and the interactive CD-ROM Restore your Shore: A guide to protecting and restoring the natural beauty of your shoreland. It also hosts shoreland management workshops for citizens, natural resource professionals, and nursery and landscaping companies.
 

Fishing Opportunities: Overall, Minnesota’s important game fish are in good condition including largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskellunge, brook and brown trout, and Lake Superior lake trout populations. Walleye numbers in lakes with natural reproduction are generally good to excellent. Walleye stocking has undergone an extensive lake-by-lake review. Current stocking guidelines are based on an analysis of the success of different stocking rates. Bluegill, black crappie, northern pike, and yellow perch numbers remain high, but decreasing average size is a major concern. Challenges to sustain healthy fisheries include rapid land use change, habitat degradation, fish diseases, invasive species, and new recreational demands. Healthy aquatic ecosystems and sustainable fisheries require a stewardship ethic among all Minnesotans.

Walleye stocking and population levels. DNR stocks walleye fry and fingerlings into approximately 900 lakes where natural reproduction is inadequate to provide a fishery. Walleye populations have increased in stocked lakes since 1977. The DNR has established a target of 160,000 pounds of fingerlings stocked per year. This target, set with stakeholder input, helps keep the state’s stocked walleye fishery in good shape. Annual variations above or below the target are to be expected because walleye fingerling production is strongly influenced by weather.

Walleye in currently stocked lakes.  Walleye abundance in stocked lakes remains good and continues to fall within the normal range of variability.	Walleye stocking.  DNR’s target is to stock 160,000 pounds of walleye fingerlings per year.

Wildlife Population Status: Overall, populations of many wildlife species, including wild turkeys, bald eagles, black bears, and Canada geese, are at or near all-time highs. Minnesota has the best ruffed grouse populations in the country, is a major waterfowl production state, and has successful trumpeter swan and peregrine falcon restoration programs. DNR devotes considerable effort to addressing the needs of rare or declining species and to dealing with damage and nuisance issues associated with abundant populations of wildlife such as deer, bears, and geese. Conservation of wildlife populations is increasingly challenged by widespread land-use change and habitat disruption.

Loon populations. Minnesota is summer home to approximately 12,000 adult loons—the largest population in the continental United States. Loons reflect the overall quality of Minnesota’s lakes. To assess the stability of loon populations over time, DNR's Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program relies on nearly 1,000 volunteers using standardized protocols to collect data on six 100-lake "index areas" in central and northern Minnesota. Loon populations are currently stable in all six index areas, but it will be a challenge to maintain stable loon populations in the face of development and loss of healthy shoreline habitat. The Aitkin/Crow Wing index area is of interest because the lakes are on predominantly private lands in a region of rapid population growth.
 

Wild turkey hunters and harvest. In 1978 the first spring turkey season was held with 10,720 people applying for 420 available permits. Since then, wild turkeys have greatly increased their numbers and range. For spring 2007, DNR offered 33,976 permits in 66 different permit areas and received more than 48,000 applications. Continued growth in wild turkey populations and well-managed hunting seasons are necessary to maintain or improve hunter satisfaction.

Waterfowl habitat and harvest. About 120,000 waterfowl hunters and another 437,000 waterfowl watchers generate expenditures of nearly $225 million in Minnesota each year. In recent years Minnesota’s share of the Mississippi Flyway duck harvest has declined to unsatisfactory levels.

The DNR aims to increase two types of waterfowl habitat, wild rice lakes and prairie wetland complexes, through active management. Wild rice lakes occur primarily in the forested regions of the state. DNR and partners, such as Ducks Unlimited, will increase the number of actively managed wild rice lakes to at least 170 in the next 10 years. Prairie wetland complexes, found in the historical prairie areas of Minnesota, are valuable waterfowl habitat when they cover at least 4 square miles and include a variety of wetland and grassland types. DNR and partners have joined together in the Working Lands Initiative to increase the number of high-quality complexes through state, federal, and private conservation efforts. In addition, the draft Minnesota Duck Plan defines specific strategies to recover breeding and migrating duck populations.

Hunter recruitment. Hunting is an important part of Minnesota's outdoor heritage and culture. Yet there are changes in participation in this traditional activity. Between 2000 and 2005 the percentage of Minnesotans between the ages of 16 and 44 who hunt decreased by 14%. DNR has initiated efforts to promote and sustain hunting by identifying barriers to participation and enacting programs and policies that reduce or remove them. The department has reduced youth hunting license fees, eliminated age restrictions for turkey hunters, initiated special youth hunts, and is working with  hunting organizations to provide mentoring experiences. DNR is also developing marketing strategies to boost youth hunter participation. Under new authorization granted by 2007 legislation, DNR is initiating an apprentice hunter program.

DNR's target is to maintain youth hunter participation as measured by license sales and increase special youth hunt opportunities in 2007. This target represents a systematic strategy to sustain hunter participation rates.

Number of youth license sales.. DNR's target is to maintain youth hunter participation.	Number of participants in special youth hunts. DNR's target is to increase special youth hunt opportunities in 2007.

Learn more about:
Fish management
Common loon
Minnesota hunting

Why is this goal important?
Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and groundwater are defining components of the state’s ecosystems and major resources for tourism, recreation, drinking water and municipal uses, and economic development. Water resources are threatened by growing demand and degradation.

Pressing issues include non-point source pollution, loss of wetlands, shoreland development, invasive species, and groundwater quantity and quality. Particularly challenging are cumulative impacts. Small, individually insignificant land-use changes may seriously degrade water resources when taken as a whole. For example, the impact of one lakeshore owner removing shoreland vegetation may be minor. But if all lakeshore owners do the same, shoreland habitat disappears, fish and wildlife diminish, and lake quality declines. Solutions require collective action through partnerships among citizens, community groups, local governments, and state and federal agencies.
 

How will this goal be accomplished?
DNR’s greatest water management challenges are wise allocation in the face of increasing demand, and protection from damage. In the past DNR treated water issues as isolated problems and managed wetlands, surface water, and groundwater as separate resources. Today the agency views these as interdependent systems that can be degraded by cumulative effects, leading to diminished water quality, loss of fish and wildlife, and water use conflicts.

DNR works with other state agencies and local governments to administer the state’s water laws and help communities manage water resources. Other state agencies playing key roles in water management include the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the Minnesota Department of Heath. For instance, as part of the Clean Water Legacy Initiative, DNR is increasing its focus on identifying impaired waters, helping local communities develop plans to address impairments, and providing assistance in the implementation of restoration plans.

Progress toward healthy water resources is hard to measure because of the interrelated nature of the water bodies, the water/land connection, and the multiple jurisdictions involved. The following indicators define a few of DNR’s activities related to water supply, flood damage reduction, surface water protection, and invasive species.
 

What is DNR’s progress to date?
Water Supplies. The Governor’s Clean Water Vision calls for monitoring watersheds and providing adequate and sustainable supplies of clean water.

In cooperation with citizen volunteers and numerous local governments, DNR measures precipitation at over 1,400 sites across the state, water levels in over 900 lakes, streamflow at over 100 gaging stations, and groundwater levels in over 750 observation wells. Clean Water Legacy funding (FY2007) increased DNR's capacity to measure stream flow. DNR also works with the Minnesota Geologic Survey to conduct hydrogeologic assessments across the state. Monitoring information helps ensure adequate and sustainable supplies of clean water. Local governments use it to plan and manage land and water resources.

Growth in demand on water resources is outstripping population growth. Without planning, shortages may occur. Surface waters (wetlands, lakes, rivers and unique resources such as trout streams and fens) can be degraded by groundwater pumping or land-use changes. DNR helps communities find reliable sources of water and manage water and land use to sustain high-quality water resources.
 

Hydrogeologic information. The County Geologic Atlas and Regional Hydrogeologic Assessments provide hydrogeologic information to help communities manage water resources. Fifteen atlases and five assessments have been completed, covering areas that include 78 percent of the state’s population and 39 percent of the state’s area. The target is to produce one additional atlas in 2007.

Flood Damage Reduction. Flooding is a natural part of river systems, but extreme floods can harm people and property. While some causes of flooding—climate and precipitation—are beyond our control, we can reduce flood damage by protecting healthy watersheds and preparing for floods when they do occur. DNR monitors 38 stream gauges around the state to provide data for flood forecasting and promotes sound land use in flood plains. The agency helps local governments plan, carry out, and pay for flood damage reduction measures.

Since 1987, DNR has provided funds to communities to build flood-control structures, define flood hazard areas, and buy and remove flood-prone buildings. Austin, for example, spent some $13 million to acquire flood-prone homes and businesses. When major flooding occurred there in 2000 and 2004, cost savings due to removal of flood-prone buildings approached the cost of acquiring the structures.

DNR also supports local flood-plain management zoning and regional flood-control efforts, such as those in the Red River Valley. DNR will work with the Governor’s Initiative in the Red River Valley to develop indicators and targets related to minimize flood damage. DNR's objective is to maintain or increase efforts to remove buildings from flood plains with available funding and through other cooperative efforts.
 

Surface Waters. Surface waters—lakes, rivers and streams, and wetlands—face many pressures. Shorelands are being developed. Nearly 30 percent of Minnesota streams have been channelized. Wetland quantity and quality face uncertain futures. About two-thirds of the state’s lakeshore is privately owned; so private landowners are key to conservation. DNR educates citizens and local governments on water issues and helps them carry out water protection programs. As part of the Governor’s Clean Water Vision, DNR is providing technical assistance to any county or municipality that is interested in updating its shoreland zoning standards to include some or all of the new alternative standards that the DNR developed in consultation with a diverse group of stakeholders.
 

Volunteer stewardship. DNR supports volunteer efforts to improve Minnesota’s surface waters, including river and shoreline restoration projects. One such program, the Adopt-a-River program, encourages volunteers to carry out annual cleanups on a section of a lake, river, wetland, or ravine. Between 1989 and 2006, over 67,000 volunteers completed nearly 2,300 cleanups. They removed over 4.8 million pounds of rubbish from public waters and in 2005 alone, 139 cleanup efforts removed over 149,000 pounds of trash.

Harmful invasive species prevention. Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels are invasive species that harm Minnesota waterways. Eurasian watermilfoil has displaced native plants, degraded habitat for fish and wildlife, and limited lake recreation. Zebra mussels can block industrial water intakes, thereby increasing operating costs, and eliminate populations of native mussels. Unintentional transport on trailered watercraft is believed to be the primary means of spread for such harmful invasives.

DNR stations some 40 seasonal watercraft inspectors each year at public water accesses, primarily on infested water bodies, where they inspect boats and inform boaters about harmful invasives and actions they can take to prevent spread. Numbers of water bodies with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels likely are much lower than they would have been without these efforts.

DNR’s Invasive Species Program surveys Minnesota boaters and monitors the distribution of invasives to evaluate containment efforts. The best way to manage a harmful invasive is to prevent its establishment. DNR is working to prevent new introductions such as the Asian carp. The DNR aims to maintain high levels of awareness among boaters, limit the rate of spread of Eurasian watermilfoil to 10 water bodies per year, and prevent spread of zebra mussels to waters not connected to previous infestations.

Learn more about:
Water resources and programs
Rivers, streams and wetlands
Invasive species

Why is this goal important?
Forests are integral to Minnesota’s environmental and economic health. They provide clean water, watershed protection, wood products, fish and wildlife habitat, biodiversity, recreational opportunities, and more. The value of forest products made in Minnesota is more than $6 billion per year, up from $4 billion in the mid-1980s. Minnesota is challenged to protect forestlands from conversion, maintain healthy forest ecosystems, and enhance forest-based economic and recreational benefits.
 

Minnesota’s growing population has intensified pressures on forestlands:
• Urban and lakeshore development is the major cause of forestland loss.
• Large blocks of industrial forestlands are being sold to timber investment management organizations, which increases the likelihood of subdivision, sale, and development.
• Development increases wildfire risk, reduces forestland quality and public access, and makes forestlands harder to manage.
• Recreational use of forestlands and recreational facilities has increased.
• Timber harvesting demand has increased.

In the next 10 years, DNR anticipates forestland will continue to develop, leaving fewer large blocks for timber production, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Sustaining forest resources will become more complex as society simultaneously seeks more benefits from and applies more pressure to forests.
 

How will this goal be accomplished?
Forest sustainability requires striking a balance between conserving forest ecosystems for future generations and providing for current use. DNR works to conserve forests while ensuring the availability of sustainable forest-based economic and recreational opportunities.
 

DNR manages 4.5 million acres of forestland—about 27 percent of the state’s total—for multiple values. It also protects people, property, and natural resources from wildfires; helps landowners and communities restore and improve forests; produces tree seedlings, and develops and implements sustainable forestry policies as part of the Sustainable Forest Resources Act.

The following indicators and targets highlight DNR’s work in forest certification, timber sales, old-growth forest conservation, and private forest stewardship.
 

What is DNR’s progress to date?
Forest certification. Third-party audited certification is an increasingly popular tool for verifying that forestland is sustainably managed. In 1998 DNR and Aitkin County received third-party certification for state- and county-administered forestlands in Aitkin County, the first public forestlands to be certified in the United States. Since then, interest in certification has grown worldwide.

 In response to anticipated market demand and to the Governor’s Task Force Report on the Competitiveness of Minnesota’s Primary Forest Products Industry, DNR committed to completing certification of state-administered forestlands.

In December 2005, DNR sucessfully met its ambitious target and completed the certification of 4.8 million acres of state-administered forestlands. DNR achieved certification from both the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). This additional certification will help DNR improve forest management and ensure a sustainable supply of forest resource products and services from healthy forests. It will also improve Minnesota’s forest market competitiveness.
 

Timber sales. Sale of timber from state lands helps fund schools and public services. Harvests also create wildlife habitat and are used to provide a range of young to mature forest habitat types. DNR sets harvest targets to ensure a predictable, sustainable supply of quality wood. DNR’s Subsection Forest Resource Management Planning process determines the amount of timber offered for sale. Stakeholder input and legislative mandates help balance timber production with provision of other amenities such as wildlife, recreation, water quality, and biodiversity.

DNR has met or exceeded its annual timber-production targets in most recent years. Targets for FY01–FY03 were higher than those for previous years due to a legislative initiative offering for sale timber that, according to management plans, should have been offered in previous years but wasn’t due to lack of markets and staffing.

DNR's target range is to offer 755,000 - 835,000 cords of timber in FY07 and 780,000 - 860,000 cords in FY08. Offering 755,000 - 835,000 cords of timber results in timber harvests from DNR lands that generate about $20 million in direct revenue and create 35,000 - 40,000 acres of habitat. Long-term harvest projections will be possible once DNR Subsection Forest Resource Management Plans are complete.

Current total harvest in Minnesota (all forestlands, all ownerships) is about 3.6 million cords per year. This is within the range of sustainable harvest as determined by the 1994 Minnesota Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Timber Harvesting and Forest Management
(GEIS). That study concluded that a harvest level of up to 4.9 million cords per year appears sustainable, “providing recommended mitigation strategies are implemented within the next few years.” (See old-growth forest indicator below as an example of a mitigation strategy.)
 

Old-growth forests. Old-growth forests (typically more than 120 years old) provide special habitat for plants and wildlife, serve as scientific benchmarks, and have aesthetic appeal. Before European settlement, about half of Minnesota's forests were old growth. Today less than 4 percent are. In 1994 DNR, forest industry, and environmental representatives committed to “identify and protect the highest quality remaining natural old-growth forest communities.” In 2003, following systematic inventory and evaluation, DNR established an approximately 40,000-acre network of the highest quality old-growth forest on state-administered lands. With a recent inventory and designation of old growth in Itasca State Park, DNR now maintains approximately 44,000 acres of protected old growth. DNR manages these sites for old-growth characteristics and they are reserved from timber harvest.

DNR's objective is to maintain a 44,000-acre network of designated old-growth forest sites. DNR's old-growth guideline is adaptive in response to new information. In 2006, 33 acres of old-growth white and red pine near Burntside Lake were added to the network. As DNR considers new, high quality stands, some of the lowest quality stands may be removed from the network. Stakeholders will be consulted if the overall network changes by 10% relative to the 2006 designated acreage.

Private forest stewardship. Some 147,000 individuals and organizations (excluding industry) own 40 percent of Minnesota’s forestland. This land, much of which is in small woodlots, faces increasing development pressure. The Forest Stewardship Program offers management expertise and cost sharing for tree planting and other activities to private landowners who develop plans for sustainable forest management. Participating landowners pursue sustainable forestry goals, including improving wildlife, maintaining water quality, and applying sustainable timber harvesting.

More than 1.3 million acres have been enrolled in the Forest Stewardship Program. Demand from landowners is higher than the availability of natural resource professionals to prepare plans.

The DNR hopes to have Forest Stewardship Plans completed for 65,000 acres in FY07 with 18,000 acres completed by DNR staff and the remainder by the private sector. DNR’s longer-term target is to have 50 percent (2.5 million acres) of non-industrial private forestland (with parcels over 20 acres) under stewardship plans.
 

Learn more about:
Forest certification
Timber harvesting
Old-growth forest
Forest stewardship programs

Why is this goal important?
Outdoor recreation contributes to quality of life and provides personal, social, economic, and environmental benefits. Scenic touring, fishing, and visiting state/national parks are among the top five activities for travelers in Minnesota. Nearly $1.1 billion is spent in Minnesota on trips for fishing, hunting, or wildlife observation.

Providing outdoor recreation opportunities is a major part of DNR’s mission. DNR seeks two major outcomes in this area: 1) the public has a satisfying and safe outdoor recreation experience; and 2) lands and waters remain healthy. Achieving these outcomes is an increasing challenge as demand for outdoor recreation grows.
 

How will this goal be accomplished? DNR manages many lands and waters, they include state parks, recreation areas, trails, scientific and natural areas, wilderness areas, forests, wild and scenic rivers, water access sites, wildlife management areas, aquatic management areas, safe harbors, and more. In all of these areas, DNR works to provide access to recreation lands and waters, sustain healthy lands and waters, promote safety, and inform and educate users. For example, DNR manages parks to maintain high-quality natural and cultural resources while also promoting their enjoyment. It also develops trails and water accesses, provides safety classes for hunting and motorized recreation, and provides information about outdoor recreation opportunities through the Internet.

DNR-managed recreational facilities are widely distributed. There is a state park, for example, within 50 miles of every Minnesotan.

What is DNR’s progress to date?
Minnesota State Parks. Each year some 8 million visitors enjoy Minnesota’s 73 state parks and recreation areas. Visitors spend $200 million annually on trips to state parks. Out-of-state visitors to state parks generate $25 million in income for Minnesota residents. Park visitors consistently express satisfaction with Minnesota state parks. DNR's goal is to maintain a 95 percent or higher satisfaction rating. Periodic surveys will track visitor satisfaction and document which features promote and detract from satisfaction.
 

Habitat management. A 2001 survey found that experiences most important to state parks visitors included enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds of nature. Each year more than 3 million come to observe nature and 1.6 million come to watch birds.

Natural resources at a glance:
• State parks provide habitat for 76 species of mammals, 123 species of fish, 27 species of reptiles, 18 species of amphibians, 320 species of birds, and thousands of species of insects and plants.
• The state park system contains over 280 endangered, threatened, or special concern species.
• More than 30 percent of state-managed old-growth forests are in state parks.
• State parks contain more than 80 types of native plant communities

State parks use many techniques to preserve and restore natural communities, including preparing soil, collecting seeds, restoring hydrology, planting native species, and protecting remnants of native vegetation. Restoration can take decades. Once restored, some plant communities and native habitats require periodic management, such as prescribed fire, to retain their quality. DNR's target is to have 5,400 acres in active restoration and carry out prescribed burns on 3,000 acres each year.

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) management. OHV use is one of Minnesota’s fastest-growing outdoor activities. More than 250,000 OHVs now registered in Minnesota regularly use state forest roads and trails. DNR is charged with providing opportunities for OHV use while managing and conserving public lands for the long-term benefit of all Minnesotans.

In 2003, the State Legislature enacted legislation calling for a 'forest-by-forest' review of Minnesota State Forests with regard to motor vehicle use. Modified in 2005, this legislation directs DNR to reclassify state forests south of U.S. Highway 2 as either 'limited' or 'closed' to motor vehicle use. North of U.S. Highway 2, forests are to retain their current 'managed' status, unless modified as a result of the evaluation process. Building upon a recently completed inventory of existing access routes, this process examines both motorized and non-motorized routes, then recommends designating or decommissioning specific roads and trails for motorized and non-motorized vehicle use. DNR completed its comprehensive forest road and trail inventory in 2004. Currently, the evaluation of a number of State Forests is underway, with 13 forests complete, and many more nearly finished or about to begin (see map). All 58 state forests must be completed by December 31, 2008.
 

Number of boat accesses on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. Minnesota has 853,000 licensed boats—the fourth highest number in the nation. Minnesota ranks first in the nation in boats per capita, one for every six people. Public boat accesses allow the public to enjoy lakes and rivers.

DNR acquires and develops accesses that provide recreation opportunities. Throughout the state, DNR field managers work with realtors, lake associations, angling clubs, local governments, and others with the intent of purchasing new access sites. The cost of lakeshore, however, is escalating rapidly and cost and competition are making it harder to buy land.

DNR's objective is to acquire 6 new access sites in FY07 and 15 new access sites statewide in FY08-09, with special emphasis on the Mississippi River and lakes larger than 5,000 acres.

Learn more at:
State parks
Recreation motor vehicles and trails
Public water access