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Forest Legacy Program

Map Courtesy of Minnesota DNR, accessed at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestlegacy/map.html

Some Important Forest Legacy Program Areas

Itasca County

The Forest Legacy Program in Minnesota is gaining attention due to the proposed conservation easement partnership on the Sugar Hills property in Itasca County that would protect 1,630 acres of contiguous northern hardwood forests as well as outstanding examples of thrust moraines, a glacial landscape rare in Minnesota. In addition, the property features Summit Peak, one of the highest points in the state at 1,752 feet.
- Itasca County has one of the greatest concentrations of industrial forestland in the state and thus have been hit hard by the recent sale and fragmentation of properties to investment companies that has been occuring across Norther Minnesota (reaching a total of 400,000 acres statewide). Although the the proposed conservation easement in Itasca County covers 1,630 acres, it lies in an area of 75,000 acres of industrial forestland that are being considered for future Forest Legacy Programs.

Brainerd Lakes

Another important Forest Legacy Area is in Brainerd Lakes, Minnesota. In fiscal year 2005, a conservation easement in this area received $2 million dollars in Forest Legacy funds, matched by non-federal funds, to protect 3,000 acres of forested land as well as riparian areas of exceptional quality for fish and wildlife. A proposed project for 2006 would work to protect an additional 1,600 acreas in this area; this land is adjacent to the Pillsbury and Crow Wing State Forests and thus, together, would have an amazingly beneficial effect on the wildlife and ecological integrity of the area.
- Brainerd Lakes, in Crow Wing and Cass counties, is located only two hours north of the Twin Cities Metropolitan area and thus is a popular tourist attraction, especially in the summer months. There is increasing demand for summer homes in this area, making the area among the fastest growing in the state, with a projected growth rate of 65% by 2030.

Rice County Big Woods

The Forest Legacy Program has worked to protect 1,171 acres Rice County Big Woods Forest Legacy area. This area consists of 15 properties purchased with Forest Legacy Program funds and was part of a 3 year program, ending in fiscal year 2004.
- Minnesota's Big Woods once covered 3000 square miles, but have been greatly reduced and fragmented due to urban sprawl. This area is home to a great diversity of plant and animal species, including the Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.