In this issue:
Spend a day in the woods, help reforestation efforts - and make money doing it
In the saddle and among the trees: a ride through Minnesota’s state forests
A helicopter used for aerial seeding.
Sometimes we fly it in 🚁
Each fall as part of our reforestation work, the DNR contracts a helicopter and pilot to disperse seeds on sites too remote or geographically difficult to reach with a crew on the ground. This year, 19 state forest sites were aerially seeded with a mix of jack pine, white pine, and black spruce seeds.
To make sure they’re effectively dispersed, seeds are mixed with clay to help with distribution, loaded into a hopper aboard the aircraft, and then flown over each site and distributed evenly from a height just above any surrounding trees. Check out a recent news release on aerial seeding to learn more!
Reforestation is led by the DNR’s Silviculture Program in the Forestry Division. Silviculture is the art and science of tending forests to meet a variety of objectives, including recreation, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, sustainable timber production, and more.
Other fall reforestation work includes activities like direct seeding and planting, bud capping, prescribed burns, and other site preparation.
Spend a day in the woods, help reforestation efforts - and make money doing it 🌲
Pine cones.
Before seeds can be dropped from a helicopter or planted in a nursery bed, we need to collect them – and you can help!
The State Forest Nursery is collecting some tree seeds and cones this fall and winter.
If you’re out in the woods, keep an eye out for:
White pine: Aug. 25–Sept. 25 (still buying if cones are closed and good quality)
Red pine: Sept. 15–Sept. 25 (still buying if cones are closed and good quality)
Jack pine: Sept. 5–March 1
Black spruce: Sept. 15–March 1
Yellow birch, bitternut, and shagbark hickory: Sept. 10–Oct. 30
Before you collect seeds or cones, call the appropriate area forestry office drop-off location first just in case they are at capacity for some of these seeds and cones. Plus they can talk you through specific info for each species.
Once collected, store cones in a dry place and drop them off at your local DNR Forestry Office as soon as possible. If you’re collecting seeds and cones in Minnesota State Forest to sell to the Nursery you don’t need a permit, but other public lands do require permits so please be sure to check with the area office before collecting.
State forest road improvements help you Get Out MORE 🚧
Since our spring newsletter, we’ve wrapped up a number of road projects that make it easier to get to state forest campgrounds, public water access points, and other great recreation spots.
Check out the map to see where the work’s been finished—and where there’s more improvements to come.
The improvements are funded by Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences), a historic legislative investment to ensure all Minnesotans can enjoy a world-class recreation system.
We focused on increasing public access to priority recreation areas such as state forest campgrounds, forest day use areas, public water accesses, and recreation/hunting trails.
Some of the work we’ve done includes road resurfacing, culvert redesigns, road segment reconstruction, and replacing old bridges.
Here are some highlights from recent projects:
Net River Forest Road, Nemadji State Forest
The current bridge across Net River (left) and construction beginning on a new bridge (right).
Before: The current bridge across Net River is undersized for the water crossing and showing signs of degradation, and the road and bridge are angled at a distinct skew on a sharp corner, creating a safety hazard.
After: This modernization project includes both a bridge replacement and road realignment to improve safety and river ecology. The current 30-foot concrete bridge will be replaced with a 45-foot modular steel bridge placed on concrete footings and will include a wildlife passage bench for wildlife to move under the bridge. The road will be realigned to remove the existing skew of the bridge and will remove the sharp corner, increasing public safety.
Construction began last month, and the existing bridge will remain open until the new one is installed, projected to be completed in summer 2026.
Kruger Campground road after resurfacing.
Kruger Campground Road, Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Before: The poor road condition created access issues for low-clearance vehicles, like cars, on this campground access road.
After: The total resurfacing of the road creates a better experience for all users and improves access to the Kruger Campground.
Burnt Shanty road after reshaping and improvements.
Burnt Shanty/Lost Moose Road, George Washington State Forest
Before: The Burnt Shanty and Lost Moose road system was in poor condition, with heavy rainfalls eroding much of the driving surface on the numerous hills.
After: We reshaped the road, establishing drainage and preventing future erosion during heavy rains. The project also provides much-improved access to the three Public Water Access sites on this road system: Burnt Shanty Lake, Lost Moose Lake and Little Island Lake.
In the saddle and among the trees: a ride through Minnesota’s state forests 🐴
An October ride through a Minnesota forest. (Photo submitted by Shelby Strasser.)
Fall is a perfect time to enjoy state forests on horseback! As the hours of daylight wane, the temperatures cool and there’s fewer flies, mosquitos and ticks. Ride through the beautiful Minnesota wilderness during the day and take in the stars at night at an equestrian campground. Horse camps in state forests are available on a first come, first served basis, and don’t require a reservation.
Horse trails and equestrian campgrounds are directly supported by the sale of the Minnesota Horse Pass. Every rider over 16 years of age must have a Horse Pass on their person while riding a state-managed horse trail. Keep a signed physical copy in your back pocket, or take photos of both sides of your pass to carry it digitally in your phone. Get your Horse Pass now at mndnr.gov/horsepass.
For those who aren’t equestrians, a note on sharing multi-use trails: horses have the right of way. If you are hiking or biking, say a friendly "hello" to make yourself known immediately and to prevent startling the horse and rider. If you have a pet with you, make sure it is leashed. Most riders will let you know how you can pass or approach their animal safely. This etiquette goes a long way in preventing injury to everyone on the trail!
Did you know blaze is the latest fall color craze? 🦺
Blaze orange and pink.
With 4.3 million acres to explore, state forests are a place where a lot of recreation overlaps. That includes leaf peeping and hunting, particularly in fall when species like deer, bear, and grouse are in season.
Safety is a top priority, and blaze clothing helps others spot you in the woods. It’s a requirement for most hunters, but regardless of the activity, wearing a blaze hat, vest, or jacket is a great idea when you’re recreating in a state forest. If orange isn’t your color, blaze pink works as well!
Forestry in the news 📰
The DNR's Jeremy Fauskee, who leads the Marketing and Utilization program, sat down for a conversation with KAXE a as part of their "Fires in Minnesota forests" series. He touched on Minnesota's forest products industry, forest mortality, and potential markets for wood from forests impacted by forest health issues like insect outbreaks. Check it out!
State forest scene: Fall color falls 📷
Fall color abounds across Minnesota this month, including along this state forest road in Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest. (Photo submitted by Kirk Handahl.)
Each issue, we'll share an image captured in one of our state forests. We'd love to see how you enjoy public lands! Share your state forest photos.