ST PAUL, MN - Minnesotans will be able to recreate and work in healthier, more productive state forests under a budget proposed by Gov. Mark Dayton, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

The governor's proposal will enable the DNR's Forestry Division to expand on-the-ground field activities to increase the biological diversity and economic productivity of state forests; provide safer state forest roads and bridges; and address statewide pest outbreaks more rapidly and effectively. It will also upgrade technology systems so accurate state forest data can be collected and used to make sound management decisions.

"Governor Dayton recognizes that our state forests create great economic, social and environmental benefits for all Minnesotans now and in the future," said Forrest Boe, director of the Forestry Division. "These forests provide two-thirds of our state's clean drinking water, great access to a multitude of recreational opportunities, and wood fiber for the state's forest products industry."

The governor's proposal adds $2 million each year of the 2016-2017 biennium to the Forestry Division's base budget of $23.9 million. These dollars will:

• Provide an accurate on-the-ground picture of state forests through increased forest inventory work that supports sound, sustainable forest management decisions.
• Provide safe roads and bridges for recreational and timber management activities on state forest lands.
• Increase activities such as removing weak, unwanted trees and adjusting the types of trees growing in an area to enhance the environmental quality, diversity and health of state forests.
• Increase early detection and rapid response to forest health issues, pest outbreaks and emerging threats to county, city, private and state forests.
• Increase the number of state forest acres surveyed and treated for invasive plants such as oriental bittersweet, buckthorn and garlic mustard.
• Expand the PlayCleanGo program that engages recreationists and businesses in the campaign to reduce the impacts of gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, wild parsnip and other invasive species threatening the state's forests.
• Modernize forestry data collection and processing to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of field management activities.

The governor's proposal also increases the Minnesota Forest Resources Council's budget by $200,000 each year of the 2016-2017 biennium. The council advances Minnesota's forest management guidelines and advises the governor and Legislature on forest health and economic competiveness issues.

Minnesota's 58 state forests are a vital investment. They contribute to the state's $13 billion tourism industry by providing a wide-array of recreational opportunities, including bird-watching, skiing, camping, snowmobiling, horseback riding and hunting. State forests also provide 30 percent of the wood fiber used by Minnesota's forest products industry. This industry provides 63,200 jobs and has a $16 billion per year economic impact.

Timely investments are crucial to invasive species management. For example, 46 percent of Minnesota's trees are at risk of attack from emerald ash borer or gypsy moth. New to Minnesota, both insects have cost infested states many millions of dollars in lost timber, recreation, water quality, energy conservation and human health. Additionally, invasive plants like buckthorn and oriental bittersweet are threatening forest sustainability in southern Minnesota and becoming a growing concern in northern Minnesota.

Minnesota's forests cover 17.3 million acres, about one-third of the state. The DNR Forestry Division manages 4.2 million of these acres to ensure they will be able to provide clean water and natural resources for future generations. One of the tools used to do this is timber harvesting. By creating a range of forest ages and conditions, harvesting supports wildlife habitat, keeps watersheds healthy and provides recreational opportunities. Harvesting timber from state lands contributes $18 million to $20 million each year to Minnesota's economy.

"Minnesota's forests have been an important component of the state's outdoor lifestyle and economy since the early 1800s," Boe said. "They are iconic to our very image of Minnesota. We must all work to maintain this heritage, which means investing long-term in our forests to keep them healthy and growing for generations to come."