Forests for the Future Program: In 2007, a public-private partnership created one of the largest conservation projects in state history by protecting 51,000 acres of forest in northern Minnesota through a "working forest" conservation easement that connected more than 500,000 acres of public and private forest lands. DNR and partners established the Minnesota Forests for the Future Program to build on this success by setting a goal to protect an additional 530,000 acres of private forest lands throughout the state using conservation easements and other tools.
Adaptive Forest Management Projects: We are initiating six "adaptive forest management projects" to help improve sustainable forest management in the face of emerging challenges such as climate change and invasive species. In one of the projects— the Manitou Ecological Silviculture Project—DNR and partners are coordinating harvesting and conifer restoration across ownership boundaries to improve wildlife and biodiversity conservation while providing quality timber and reducing management costs.
The Working Lands Initiative: 
Grassland-wetland complexes, found in the historical prairie areas of Minnesota, are valuable for many species, including waterfowl, shorebirds, amphibians, pheasants, and deer. To meet Minnesota's long-term goals for waterfowl, pheasant, and upland bird populations, we will work with public and private partners through the Working Lands Initiative to reach our goal to restore and protect an additional 2 million acres of prairie wetlands and grassland.