Dates of removal are determined by an east-west line formed by U.S. Highway 10, east along Highway 34 to Minnesota Highway 200, east along Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 2, and east along Highway 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

Shelters located south of this line must be removed no later than midnight, March 5.

Shelters located north of this line must be removed no later than midnight, March 19.

Exceptions are Minnesota-Canada border waters (March 31), Minnesota-Iowa border waters (Feb. 20), Minnesota-South Dakota and North Dakota border waters (March 5), and Minnesota-Wisconsin border waters (March 1).

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials say if shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted and structures may be confiscated and removed, or destroyed by a conservation officer.

After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended. Storing or leaving shelters on a public access is prohibited.

The DNR’s Enforcement Division director, Col. Jim Konrad, recommends outdoor enthusiasts check ice thickness by using an auger or spud bar before venturing onto a frozen pond, lake or river.

Konrad says ice conditions can vary greatly, and anglers should know about the different types and characteristics of ice. Slush shows weakening of ice and should be considered a danger sign. If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, people should stay off. People should not go on the ice during thaws. Honeycombed ice, dark snow and dark ice should be avoided. Ice is generally thinner where there is moving water, such as near inlets and outlets, bridge abutments, islands and other objects that protrude through the ice.

According to information from the DNR Boat and Water Safety Section, a minimum of 4 inches of new, clear ice is necessary for ice fishing; snowmobiling or ATV activity requires at least 5 inches; 8 to 12 inches are needed to support a car or small pickup; 12-15 inches are need for a medium truck.

Learn more about ice safety.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials signed the purchase agreement at the Washington County Government Center in Stillwater today, after obtaining the exclusive right to purchase the property in 2010.

“We really can’t overstate the importance of this addition to our state trail system,” said Courtland Nelson, director of the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division. “We anticipate that the Brown’s Creek State Trail will be extremely popular with residents and tourists alike. We’re particularly grateful to Washington County for jumping on board with us to make this recreational trail a reality. This large acquisition was made possible with their support and with funding from two other important sources – the Environmental Trust Fund and the state’s Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.”

Seeing the long-term potential for this recreational facility, Washington County committed $1 million from its 2006 open space referendum funds toward the $4.25 million purchase early in the negotiations process. DNR funding included $2.15 million from the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, administered by the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), and $1.1 million from the DNR’s Parks and Trails Fund, which receives 14.25 percent of the Legacy Amendment sales tax revenue. The nonprofit Gateway Trail Association (now renamed the Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail Association), a strong advocate for the new trail, also contributed $1,000.

Given its proximity to the Twin Cities, with a population of 3.5 million people, the trail’s impact could be considerable. In 2008, recreational trail users contributed $2.4 billion in total spending and $206 million in state and local taxes, and accounted for 31,000 jobs in Minnesota.

“There’s no doubt this trail will be an asset to area businesses,” said Washington County Commissioner Gary Kriesel, “and it’s going to be a wonderful trail for the citizens. It will provide a strategic link to connect other trails in the area to a trail that ultimately will go all the way along the river to Hastings. We have a wide variety of bike-friendly shops and restaurants that will be eager to welcome trail users.”

Planning for the trail is well underway. Two public open houses were held at the Stillwater Public Library last fall. Comments on the draft master plan were accepted until Jan. 6.

The master plan will soon be completed and signed by DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr. The specific timeline for construction will depend on funding and coordination with local partners, but the DNR anticipates the following will occur this year:

• Removal of rails and their supporting ties.
• Redevelopment of a bridge over St. Croix Trail/State Highway 95.
• Beginning of trail paving, starting at Laurel Street East/Stillwater Depot.

The deal that culminated with the signed purchase agreement has been years in the making. Paradeau approached the DNR in 2006 about purchasing the rail corridor. In 2007, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the Brown’s Creek State Trail as part of the Willard Munger State Trail system, which includes the Gateway State Trail in east-central Minnesota. Like the Gateway State Trail, state statute dictates that the Brown’s Creek State Trail will be developed primarily for hiking and non-motorized riding.

“We’ve been working diligently to purchase the Brown’s Creek corridor for some time now,” said Nelson. “State trails often have to be acquired one small parcel at a time, so we’re excited about being able to purchase this entire 5.9-mile trail segment from a single landowner all at once. It is very rewarding to have completed this long-awaited transaction today. We expect the economic benefit of this trail to be significant in the years to come.”

The 18-mile Gateway State Trail, paved from St. Paul to Pine Point Regional Park north of Stillwater, is part of an award-winning statewide trail system that includes more than 600 paved miles, and expands by approximately 10 new paved miles each year. The combination of this extensive, high-quality, family-friendly state trail system and all of the other state, regional and local trails earned Minnesota the distinction of being named the Best Trails State in the country by American Trails in 2010.

“It’s been an emotional few years, but it is rewarding that the corridor will end up in public hands in perpetuity,” Paradeau said. “The level grade of this former railroad route will make the trail very accessible, and its connections to the state, regional and local trail systems will make Stillwater a more popular destination than ever.”

The Brown’s Creek State Trail will pass through stretches of scenic woods, along a designated trout stream and past historic sites. Ultimately, it may also connect to a future trail system linking Minnesota and Wisconsin as part of the proposed St. Croix River Crossing.

A map and photos of the route to be developed for the Brown’s Creek State Trail are available online.

The draft Hardwood Hills SFRMP outlines the planning process, forest vegetation management goals and directions, and implementation strategies and stand selection criteria used to identify the forest stands to be field evaluated by DNR staff and possibly treated over the next 10-year period, 2011 through 2020. Appendix D of the plan contains the 10-year stand exam list, which includes 210 stands totaling 3,787 acres that are being considered for site visits and possible treatment over the next 10 years.

“The focus of the public review is to seek comments on the draft plan, including individual forest stands on the 10-year stand exam list,” said Pat Matuseski, forest planner, DNR Forestry Division.

Stands on the list have received a preliminary prescription (i.e., final harvest, thin, site visit to determine management or re-inventory) based on the directions as stated in the draft Hardwood Hills SFRMP. Once the stands are field evaluated, final treatments will be assigned. Based on past experience, not all stands identified on the stand exam list result in a timber sale and harvest.

The draft Hardwood Hills SFRMP is available online.

Individual forest stands on the 10-year stand exam list can be viewed on ForestView.

Paper copies may be requested from the DNR at the address below.

Comments on the draft Hardwood Hills SFRMP or individual forest stands may be submitted to: Pat Matuseski, DNR Forestry Division, 2115 Birchmont Beach Road N.E., Bemidji, MN 56601; phone: 218-308-2381; fax: 218-755-4417; or email pat.matuseski@state.mn.us.

All written comments received will be considered with responses prepared. Comments and responses will be included in the Final Hardwood Hills SFRMP scheduled for adoption by the DNR in April.

The Hardwood Hills is an ecological subsection in central Minnesota that includes approximately 46,000 acres of state forestlands administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and Section of Wildlife. The Hardwood Hills subsection covers approximately 3.5 million acres in an area from near Clearbrook in the northeast to near Mentor in the northwest, and from near Paynesville in the southwest to near Clearwater in the southeast.

The draft Hardwood Hills SFRMP takes into consideration a broad range of factors that affect forest management including: increasing forest health and productivity, managing vegetation for rare species and habitat, balancing timber age classes over time, identifying stands to be managed as older forest to accommodate diverse wildlife and ecological resources, and limiting impacts to cultural, visual and water resources – all balanced to provide sustainable forest resources. Sustainable forest management is the underlying goal of the SFRMP planning process.

The DNR prepares management plans consistent with ecological subsection boundaries to ensure that ecological characteristics are considered as forestry management is implemented. The Hardwood Hills SFRMP is one of nine planning areas in the state for which the DNR has prepared a subsection plan.

Wayne Dudley, a DNR certified snowmobile safety instructor since 1986, was presented the award Feb. 11 at the Minnesota United Snowmobile Association (MnUSA) Winter Rendezvous in Fairmont, Minn.

“Wayne is a fine example of an outstanding snowmobiler, promoting safety and the sport of snowmobiling,” said Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement Education Program coordinator. “Safe operation is crucial to a great snowmobiling experience.”

Dudley has been active in the Cliff and Coulee Climbers Snowmobile Club for nearly 34 years, including a term as club president, as well as serving as a regional director for MnUSA.

Hammer said the DNR Enforcement Education/Safety Section is thankful to the thousands of volunteers like Dudley who step up and deliver DNR safety programs to youth in their local communities.

In Minnesota, anyone born after Dec. 31, 1976, must have a snowmobile safety certificate to operate a snowmobile. Children under 12 may drive snowmobiles on public lands, public waters, or grant-in-aid trails if accompanied by an adult. Youth ages 12-13 may drive snowmobiles on public lands or waters if accompanied by an adult or in possession of a valid snowmobile safety certificate. People ages 14-18 may drive a snowmobile across state or county roads if in possession of a snowmobile safety certificate, driver’s license or ID card with a valid snowmobile indicator.

For safety training information or a copy of the DNR’s 2011-2012 Minnesota Snowmobile Safety Laws, Rules, and Regulations handbook, call the DNR information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367.

These are just a few of the activities that led the Minnesota Chapter of the Wildlife Society to recently name Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officer Tyler Quandt of Red Wing as their 2011 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

“Whether it’s been a natural disaster, poaching incident or bridge collapse, these types of response efforts require a real desire to step out of your comfort zone to help others in need or to protect our natural resources,” said 1st Lt. Dean Olson, Rochester area enforcement supervisor. “Officer Quandt is always one of the first to respond.”

Quandt has managed to make many life-saving rescues since joining the DNR in 1991.

“Consistent, dependable and a good partner to work with.” Olson said. “Those are the comments from emergency first-responders that work with him.”

Those attributes are also reflected in Quandt’s reputation among conservation officers while serving as a primary field training officer for many years, passing along his knowledge, skills and positive attitude for others to model.

“He develops confidence in each new conservation officer through demonstration and encouragement as a highly respected trainer,” said Olson. “He is a model officer in every way and someone to emulate.”

Quandt’s other honors include 2007 DNR Boat and Water Safety Officer of the Year, 2009 National Wild Turkey Federation Officer of the Year, and 2009 DNR Enforcement Education Officer of the Year.

The professional accolades and respect also mirror Quandt’s community involvement, particularly on two projects.

The first project was a massive undertaking that Quandt carried solely on his shoulders. It included working with the Army Corps of Engineers, the DNR, the city of Red Wing and a

nonprofit group. The result was a large fishing pier used by anglers, sightseers and walkers year-round. The pier also provides a great opportunity for eagle watching.

The second project speaks volumes of Quandt’s connection to the city of Red Wing. With his family and a small core group of volunteers, $520,000 was raised within one year for a playground specifically designed for special needs children.

“Officer Quandt is worthy of this prestigious award from the Minnesota Chapter of the Wildlife Society,” Olson said. “He is simply one of the best conservation officers Minnesota has to offer.”

Quandt said he’s proud to receive the award and thanked the many people he’s worked with during his career. “I have always appreciated working with all of the other wildlife professionals within and outside the DNR over my career,” Quandt said. “The people who make up the Wildlife Society are a very dedicated and talented group of people. It is a great honor to be recognized by them.”

The DNR is seeking input on the following proposals:

• Requiring non-toxic shot for rail and snipe hunting.
• Adding a third waterfowl zone in southern Minnesota.
• Allowing snaring to begin earlier on private property in the farmland zone.

Meetings will be from 7-9 p.m. on the following dates:

• Thursday, Feb. 23, Tandeski Center, 1200 Storr’s Pond Road, Winona.
• Tuesday, Feb. 28, Highland Middle School, 801 Central Ave. N., Crookston.
• Thursday, March 8, Nicollet Conservation Club, 46045 471st Lane, Nicollet.
• Thursday, March 8, Mille Lacs Energy, 36559 U.S. Highway 169, Aitkin.
• Thursday, March 15, DNR Headquarters, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul.

If the Minnesota Legislature approves and the governor signs a bill authorizing a wolf hunting and trapping season, a separate public input process will be conducted.

The DNR regularly conducts public meetings across the state to gauge hunter and trapper opinions about regulations, seasons and other wildlife management issues. Those who cannot attend a meeting are urged to complete a questionnaire online starting Feb. 23.

Comments are also welcome via email at wildlife.dnr@state.mn.us. Written comments may be addressed to: Season comments, DNR Section of Wildlife, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4007.

For the past 29 years, Boe has worked for the DNR in numerous leadership positions, most recently as the deputy director of the Parks and Trails Division. He spent 20 years of his career in northern Minnesota with the agency’s former Trails and Waterways Division.

“Forrest has a long track record at the DNR of working closely with industry groups and citizens on complex issues, including off-highway vehicle and recreational trail access in northern Minnesota,” said Landwehr. “He has demonstrated outstanding leadership at every place he has worked within the agency.”

One of Boe’s first jobs during and after college was operating his own forestry business, which included tree planting and management. The business was inspired by his father, a DNR forester for 39 years.

“I’ve had an interest in forestry my entire life,” Boe said. “I look forward to working with our extremely talented forestry staff.”

Boe said one of his main goals will be to balance needs of the forestry industry with the environmental aspects of forestry.

As Forestry Division director, Boe will oversee a $70 million annual budget and a staff of 350 employees. The division is responsible for protecting people, property and natural resources from wildfire on 45.5 million acres of land in Minnesota. The division manages 4.2 million acres of state forest land for wildlife, timber and recreation.

Division staff works with the forest products industry to provide 30 percent of the industrial wood fiber used in the state. The division also works to prevent disease and insect infestation on forest lands, and offers forest management assistance and advice to private forest landowners.

Jack Rajala, owner of the Rajala Companies, a forest products company based in Bigfork, was among the panelists outside the DNR who interviewed candidates for the Forestry Division position. “I was very impressed with Forrest,” Rajala said. “He brings a lot of enthusiasm and knows a lot about natural resources. He likes to keep learning and facing new challenges.”

St. Louis County Land Commissioner Bob Krepps said he has worked with Boe on parks and trails issues over the past six years, and is confident Boe will work well with northern Minnesota counties on forestry issues. “Forrest has always been extremely open with us,” Krepps said. “He has the personality to reach out.”

Scott Dane, executive director of Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota, was also on the interview panel. “Two things really impressed me about Forrest. He has a long history of working for the DNR, which is extremely important. And secondly, he demonstrated a solid understanding of managing people. He has the management skills to bring the Division of Forestry together to do its job in the most efficient and professional manner.”

Another panelist, Pete Aube, woodlands manager for the Potlatch Company, a forest products company, said, “He will bring energy and a different perspective to the position. I look forward to working with him on the substantial opportunities in Minnesota forestry.”

Boe began his DNR career in 1983 as a development specialist on the Root River Trail. In 1986, he became area supervisor for the Trails and Waterways Division in Brainerd. He became the division’s regional manager working out of Bemidji in 2001 and division director in 2006. When that division was merged with the Parks Division, Boe was appointed deputy director of the new Parks and Trails Division.

Boe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He lives in Hastings, Minn.

“We had an overwhelming response to our solicitation for applications and heard from more than 100 excellent candidates,” said Tom Landwehr, DNR commissioner. “We’re grateful to everyone who expressed interest, and especially to the charter members of this committee, who will have an important voice at an important time in our state’s history.”

Appointed were: Rick Anderson, Lyon County commissioner; Lynnea Atlas Ingebretson, Three Rivers Park District; Kathy Bergen, director of Duluth’s Park and Recreation Department; Bob Bierscheid, retired Park and Recreation director, city of St. Paul; Angela DeMirjyn, park and trail user and business owner; John Filardo, DNR engineer; Nancy Hanson, Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association; Brian Hubbard, Conservation Corps Minnesota; Chuck Kartak, retired DNR Division of Parks and Trails operation manager; Glenda Phillipe, Roseau County commissioner; Tom Ryan, Olmsted County Parks superintendent; Wayne Sames, retired DNR local and regional park and trail grants manager; Grumpy Sell, Dodge County Trail Association and Southeast Minnesota Association for Recreation Trails; Jan Shaw Wolff, DNR Central Region strategic program manager; Jenny Smith, Cuyuna Lakes Trail Association; Tom Stoa, Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota; Barry Warner, private consulting firm, park and trail design.

“We’re very pleased with the diversity on the 17-member committee,” said Susan Haigh, chair of the Metropolitan Council. “Members represent a variety of locations throughout the state, a diversity of ages, a balance of genders, and a diversity of skills and experience.”

The purpose of the Legacy Advisory Committee is to promote and coordinate implementation of the 25-year Parks and Trails Legacy Plan, which was presented to the Minnesota Legislature in February 2011. The plan will guide the use of Legacy funding, specifically the Parks and Trails Fund, which receives 14.25 percent of the sales tax revenue resulting from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

The four key goals of the Parks and Trails Legacy Plan are to:

• Connect people and the outdoors – better develop Minnesota’s stewards of tomorrow through efforts to increase life-long participation in parks and trails.
• Acquire land, create opportunities – create new and expanded park and trail opportunities to satisfy current customers as well as to reach out to new ones.
• Take care of what we have – provide safe, high-quality park and trail experiences by regular reinvestment in parks and trails infrastructure.
• Coordinate among partners – enhance coordination across the large and complex network of public, private and nonprofit partners that support Minnesota’s parks and trails to ensure seamless, enjoyable park and trail experiences for Minnesotans.

The plan specifies these guidelines for making Parks and Trails Legacy Fund decisions:

• Achieve big, tangible outcomes that make a long-term difference.
• Take a balanced approach to supporting a range of parks and trails needs, from acquisition, to development, to taking care of what we have, to restoration, to programming and marketing.
• Understand regional differences – the needs, priorities, resources and existing infrastructure vary greatly across Minnesota.

“Clearly, we have our work cut out for us,” said Marcia Larson, chair of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition, “but we have a broad range of experience on the committee, and a whole lot of passion, both of which will help to ensure a bright future for conservation in the state of Minnesota.”

Initial terms will be for two or three years; subsequent terms will be for two years. The Parks and Trails Legacy Plan can be found online.

For example, the report found that:

• For every state dollar invested in implementation activities such as improvements to municipal sewage plants and buffers to control agricultural runoff, an additional $1.45 was leveraged through local and federal partnerships.
• Although the pace of activities to restore polluted lakes and streams is being accelerated by Clean Water Funds, requests for clean-up funds are about three times greater than what is available.
• Drinking water protection efforts are on track, but there is a growing concern about nitrate levels in new wells and in certain vulnerable aquifers.

“This report reflects the acceleration and enhancement of water resource management made possible by the Clean Water Fund,” said Rebecca Flood, assistant commissioner at Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Money in the Clean Water Fund comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that Minnesotans passed in 2008. The Legacy Amendment increased the state sales tax by three-eighths of 1 percent beginning on July 1, 2009 and continuing until 2034. Thirty-three percent of the revenue is distributed to the Clean Water Fund.

Approximately $152 million was invested in the first two years for water management activities like monitoring, planning and on-the-ground restoration and protection activities.

The report helps Minnesotans understand connections between Clean Water funds invested, actions taken and outcomes achieved in 2010-2011.

The 18 measures in the report provide a snapshot of how Clean Water Fund dollars are being spent and the progress that’s been made. The measures are organized into three sections: investment, surface water quality, and drinking water protection. These measures are part of a larger set that will be used to consistently track and report clean water outcomes over the life of the amendment.

Each measure has a status ranking and trend information. Of the 18 measures, status and trends vary; six measures showed improving trends, 11 showed no trend or were too early to assess, and one showed a slightly declining trend.

“We understand that people want to see immediate results from Clean Water Fund investments,” said Julie Blackburn, assistant director at the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. “However managing Minnesota’s water resources is a long-term endeavor that will take the efforts of many – from state agencies, to local governments to citizens.”

It is important to note that the report does not include information on other ongoing water-related work as it would be impossible to measure everything in one report or project. This report is the beginning of what is to come over the next 25 years in outcome-based water quality data and information.

The 2012 Clean Water Performance Report is available online.

For general questions about the report, contact Jennifer Maleitzke at 651-757-2549.

For more information about the individual measures in the report, contact:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: Jennifer Maleitzke, 651-757-2549
Minnesota Department of Health: Tannie Eshenaur, 651-201-4074
Minnesota Department of Agriculture: Margaret Wagner, 651-201-6488
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Andy Holdsworth, 651-259-5536
Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources: Julie Blackburn, 651-297-5617
Minnesota Public Facilities Authority: Jeff Freeman, 651-259-7465
Metropolitan Council: Bonnie Kollodge, 651-602-1357
University of Minnesota Water Resources Center: Deb Swackhamer, 612-625-0279

Forest Capital Partners, The Nature Conservancy and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today the closing of a new conservation easement that boosts Minnesota’s role as a national leader in protecting the environmental contributions of private, working forests. The 6,966-acre easement in southeastern Koochiching County is in addition to a 51,163-acre transaction completed in 2007 and a 76,249-acre transaction completed in 2010 with the same partners.

The new agreement, covering hardwood and boreal forests and wetlands along the Big Fork and Little Fork rivers, ensures that sustainable forest management, high quality wildlife habitat and public access to outdoor recreation opportunities will continue in perpetuity. A conservation easement ensures that the land will continue to be managed for timber production, but will also be open to the public for a variety of activities such as hunting, fishing and hiking.

“Our partnership with the state of Minnesota provides a framework for helping meet community needs for jobs and revenues, while protecting public access for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities,” said Craig Halla, region manager for Forest Capital Partners in International Falls. “It is a win-win for the environment and for our economy here in northern Minnesota.”

Conservation easements, which protect millions of acres of wildlife habitat and open space throughout the United States, are an important tool in keeping working forests as forestland. The Minnesota Forest Legacy Partnership is a public-private coalition created by The Nature Conservancy and the Blandin Foundation to help conserve Minnesota’s north woods, and includes the DNR, which holds and monitors the conservation easements.

“Working forests are essential to our quality of life in Minnesota,” said Peggy Ladner, director of The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota, which provided a grant to help pay for the easement. “They provide good-paying jobs and are great places to hunt, fish and hike. They help keep our air and water clean. This property provides habitat for wildlife species that need large blocks of forest such as black bear, northern goshawk, boreal owl and neotropical migratory songbirds.”

“The conservation easements undertaken with Forest Capital Partners are great investments in Minnesota’s future,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr. “They will maintain access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor pursuits, while guaranteeing that these lands remain available for timber production and its related economic benefits.”

Funding for the new $1.4 million working forest conservation easement was provided by The Nature Conservancy, with the support of the Blandin Foundation. The transaction was also made possible with $2,500 of Legacy Amendment money provided through the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The transaction continues the DNR’s “Forests for the Future” program, launched in 2008. More information is available on the DNR website.

ABOUT FOREST CAPITAL PARTNERS
Forest Capital Partners, LLC is a financial manager and steward of large-scale working forests across North America. Forest Capital Partners actively manages approximately 2 million acres of forestland for long-term sustainability under forest management guidelines set forth by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. A leading grower of environmentally certified timber, Forest Capital Partners is also an active participant in markets for nontimber forest products. Visit www.forestcap.com for additional information.

ABOUT MINNESOTA DNR
The mission of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is to work with citizens to conserve and manage the state’s natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life. More information is available on the DNR website.
 
ABOUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. In Minnesota, the Conservancy has helped conserve more than 650,000 acres since 1958. The Conservancy has more than 20,000 members in Minnesota and offices in Minneapolis, Cushing, Glyndon, Duluth, Karlstad, St. Joseph and Preston. Visit The Nature Conservancy online.