A fresh look for MyMinnesotaWoods

You might have noticed that things look a little different at MyMinnesotaWoods. We've recently updated our site by providing easier navigation, robust search options, and a website that looks great on mobile devices. Click here to read Emily Dombeck's post on the recent changes to the website. And let us know what you think of our fresh look!

What does woodland ownership mean for you?

Private woodland owners own 45% of Minnesota's forests and are an important part to managing healthy woods across our state. Each woodland owner has their own reasons and hopes and dreams for their woods. Watch our new video of Ken Nichols from Oronoco Township telling his story about what woodland ownership means to him.

Forest birds and Minnesota's managed forests: Join us on June 21

Managed forests provide important breeding habitat for over 100 species of birds in Minnesota. This presentation will discuss the influence of site and landscape factors on forest bird distributions and dynamics in managed forests. The consequences of forest management and timber sale designs will be discussed by Alexis Grinde from the Natural Resources Research Institute. Click here for more details.

Thinking like an investor: why diverse forests are a good bet for an uncertain future

In many ways, managing a forest is like managing a retirement portfolio. Forests are assets that grow over time, just like you expect your retirement investments to grow over decades. Just like investing money, investing in forests has a lot of uncertainty and challenges associated with it. Click here to read this post from Stephen Handler of the USDA Forest Service's Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science.

Selecting fruit and nut producing plants for your landscape

Homeowners who would like to plant trees and/or shrubs that produce edible fruits and nuts from their backyard have a lot of options. Read this new post by UMN Extension Educator Gary Wyatt on selecting fruit and nut trees in Minnesota. Also, check out the Minnesota Harvester Handbook for more ideas for harvesting nontimber forest products and exploring your woods.

Are you a woodland owner? Help contribute to a new survey

In collaboration with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, a new study is looking for participants to investigate how private woodland owners think about and engage with their land. This project involves testing a new survey method that sends single question surveys on a weekly basis. Click here to read more about this study.

IN THE NEWS

It's good to be a tick in Minnesota | Minnesota's changing forest environment has been a boon for the blacklegged tick. Timber harvesting has spawned younger forests with more vegetation growing at ground level. Via MPRNews.

Hybrid hazelnuts are growing a Midwest presence | Hazelnuts are a good choice for planting as windbreaks, shelterbelts, and living snow fences. Agroforestry in action! Via Star Tribune.

Preparing for Gypsy Moths | Extension educator Angie Gupta talks about the impacts that gypsy moth can have on MN trees and forests. Via KAAL TV.

Who owns woodlands and why | Survey describes the values and challenges of the largest shareholder in US forests: Families. Via AAAS.

More forest fires, more moose | Minnesota's moose population is dwindling; read how changes to forests are impacting their survival. Via Duluth News Tribune.

Golden-winged warblers are little birds in big trouble | Unique forestry method created perfect habitat for golden winged warbler. Via Duluth News Tribune.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUN 20

Linnaeus Symposium St. Peter, MN

JUN 21

Webinar: Importance of managed forests to Minnesota's forest birds Online

JUN 22

Silvopasture Tour Brainerd, MN

JUN 24

Logs to Lumber Houston, MN

A complete listing and all event details can be found on our Events Calendar