Notes and tips for woodland stewardship in Minnesota's forests
Become a Master Woodland Owner!
The Master Woodland Owner program delivers a year-long online and in-person training curriculum for private woodland owners interested in becoming better stewards of their woods. Learn to care for your property based on what your needs and goals are --whether that's hunting, hiking, logging, or just living. Register today!
Gathering Partners of Natural Resources Conference
Registration is now open for our annual conference! Open to woodland owners, naturalist volunteers, and anyone interested in the natural environment. Plan to join us May 20-22 in Winona, Minnesota. More information and registration can be found on the conference website.
Oak wilt status in Minnesota: High risk
As of April 1, the state of Minnesota is in a high risk period for oak wilt. We recommend avoiding pruning or wounding oaks until midsummer to reduce the risk of a new oak wilt outbreak. Read more about oak wilt here.
Webinar: Climate change and eastern larch beetle is a bad mix for tamarack in Minnesota
The eastern larch beetle is found throughout North American tamarack forests. However, its tree-killing behavior in Minnesota and Wisconsin hasn't followed typical patterns in recent decades. Join us at noon on April 19 as we discuss the causes of an ongoing outbreak that has shown no signs of slowing down.
Garlic mustard: a MN woodland owner's story
Garlic mustard is a restricted noxious weed in Minnesota and can spread into woodlands and floodplain forests. The presence of garlic mustard can alter the habitat for insects, birds, and mammals that may frequent your woods. Spring is the time of year to attack garlic mustard--click here to watch this video of John Peterson talking about how he manages garlic mustard in his woods.
Weed 'em out! Learn to identify early detection invasive plants at two upcoming workshops
Learn how to identify and report emerging plant invaders before they become big trouble. As a part of these workshops, you will learn identification skills and then apply these skills to target species and be able to distinguish them from look-alike species.
These upcoming workshops in Park Rapids (April 13) and Waite Park (April 21) are designed for people who work with vegetation on roadsides, or in parks, pastures or natural areas. Click here for details and to register.
IN THE NEWS
Stewardship plan deadlines approaching | For landowners and plan preparers working on stewardship plans under the 2c Managed Forest Land Classification, a reminder that the deadlines are fast approaching! Take a look at the guide from MN DNR for more information.
Keeping snow off MN roads | UMN Extension Forestry specialist Diomy Zamora teamed up with the MN Department of Transportation to find a new, cost-effective way to keep blowing snow off Minnesota roads. See the full story at KSTP.
Preventing oak wilt | Michelle Grabowski gives a great overview of how to avoid oak wilt during this high risk season at Yard and Garden News.
We're going to lose a lot of trees | The Duluth News Tribune examines how communities consider what to do with trees as emerald ash borer infestation spreads.
