Schools and the DNR work together to help schools:
Get more classes outside more often, and
Maintain school forests that are safe, accessible, and healthy.
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School requirements
Appoint a site coordinator who will be the main contact with the DNR and share DNR benefits with all school staff.
Maintain a school forest committee that meets at least twice a year to ensure the school forest is being used.
Send an annual report to the DNR at the end of every school year.
The report must show evidence that the school is using its school forest for education at least five times every year.
Provide adequate funding. Schools must treat their school forest like any other classroom by providing sufficient funding to support transportation, maintenance, and teaching supplies. Any money generated from the sale of timber or forest products (such as maple syrup or balsam boughs) from school forest land must be used to support your school forest or other natural resource education activities.
Take care of the land according to their stewardship plan provided by the DNR forester. If harvesting occurs, the school will follow Minnesota Forest Resources Council timber harvesting guidelines.
DNR benefits
The DNR provides these benefits to schools that have met their requirements.
Education benefits
Access to lessons on the Activity Board.
Free Teaching in Your School Forest Workshops where the DNR guides your staff on how to teach outside strategies, demonstrates grade-appropriate outdoor lessons Activity Board, and provides Project Learning Tree books.
Free Annual Conference/Summit/Regional Training for teachers to share lessons, discuss current issues and needs, and network. Substitute teacher stipends are usually provided.
A monthly newsletter that connects schools and contains information on grants, training opportunities, news, and activities.
Class set of field desks made by DNR volunteers.
Activity kits such as the tree cookie lesson that includes a class set of “cookies.”
Access to free kits to borrow such as forest measurement tools, invasive species removal tools, GPS units, and other kits. No shipping fees are charged to the school.
Site management/stewardship benefits
A DNR forester who will advise on projects such as removing invasive species, harvesting trees, planting and restoring habitats, and maintaining trails.
Free school forest stewardship plan to help schools identify projects in the school forest.
Free Arbor Month tree seedlings from the State Forest Nursery.
Free metal School Forest signs identifying your site.
Support for your school forest site committee.
Guidance with legal issues.
A school forest is a long-term investment! When school staff changes, the DNR will work to re-engage the school and protect your school forest legacy.
Accountability
The School Forest Program exists by MN Statutes, Section 89.41.
School Forest Program staff will work with the school to either unenroll the school from the program or create a plan that brings the site into compliance.
When schools that use tax-forfeited land fall out of compliance, the DNR will notify the appropriate state or county authorities to reconvey the land.
If DNR staff are not providing benefits, school site leaders can appeal to the state forester or the DNR commissioner.