Minnesota’s iconic northern forests are a national treasure. They provide camping, hunting, fishing and other recreation opportunities; solace from our fast-paced world; and critical habitat for a wide diversity of birds, mammals and other animals. But they are not static, trees that make up forests grow, age and die like all other living things. 

The DNR’s Forest Health Annual Report 2025 details several forest health issues in the state. The Brimson Complex and Munger Shaw wildfires burned nearly 30,000 acres last spring and killed millions of trees. Eastern larch beetle has killed most of the mature tamarack in northern Minnesota, impacting 1,244,000 acres since 2001. A derecho in late June 2025 devastated at least 11,600 acres of forest in the Bemidji area. Spruce budworm defoliated 182,000 new acres of balsam fir and white spruce, adding to the decades of mortality in the Northeast. Emerald ash borer continues to spread, now in 58 of 87 counties, causing wholesale death to ash trees. 

Timber harvesting is a primary tool to address these issues, slow the spread, and salvage wood after destructive events. Logging is also used to remove trees near the end of life; to thin stands so remaining trees get more sun and nutrients; to improve wildlife habitat; and to provide fiber for the forest products industry. Yet we only harvest 1% of the forest annually.
Many forest types regenerate naturally from seeds or sprouts, but some require that we plant seedlings, like white pine, white spruce, some hardwoods, and Minnesota’s state tree-the Norway pine. Planting a diverse array of species will help the forest to survive and thrive through weather, fire, and insect-related stresses. 

With all the intrinsic benefits of forests, it is difficult to understand why the State of Minnesota is not securing adequate funding for reforestation efforts. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requires $4 million annually to plant trees, protect them from deer damage, and perform timber stand management to ensure future forests persist. These efforts are funded by a combination of timber sale proceeds and the sale of general obligation bonds (not by raising taxes). But in recent years, the Governor’s budget proposal to the Legislature, and the legislature’s investment, has not met that need. This year the DNR Capital Budget Request is only seeking $2 million for the Acquisition and Betterment of Land category. That category encompasses acquiring high-priority parcels of land and replanting and seeding trees, completing forest stand improvements, and enhancing access to state lands. Assuming an even split between these four priorities there will only be $1 million for tree planting and tending for the next 2 years. 

The Nature Conservancy and Minnesota Forest Industries are working together with Representative Spencer Igo (R-Balsam Township) and Senator Scott Dibble (D-Minneapolis) to secure a more realistic and proactive figure for these efforts. Rep. Igo and Sen. Dibble introduced an $18 million reforestation capital funding bill in the 2025 legislative session. 

“The State of Minnesota needs to recognize the importance of our forests to the people of the state and make a greater investment in its health and well-being,” said Tom Radovich, Executive Vice President of Minnesota Forest Industries. “We hope to secure bipartisan support for funding efforts that ensure the health and sustainability of our future forests.” 

In 1997, the Minnesota DNR made a significant commitment to sustainable forest management by becoming the first public agency to enroll their lands in a forest certification program. One of the basic tenets of these programs is that timber harvest sites must be fully restocked with healthy seedlings within 5 years. The lack of funding to accomplish this essential task jeopardizes the DNR certification, which reduces the availability of certified wood that customers require in their products. 

Minnesotans expect professional forest managers to ensure that we have resilient future forests, to minimize wildfire risk, and increasingly to help forests absorb and store atmospheric carbon to address our changing climate. Our government simply must provide them with the funding and means to succeed. 

About Minnesota Forest Industries 

Minnesota Forest Industries (MFI) is a trade organization representing the primary wood-consuming mills in Minnesota. MFI’s member companies, combined with loggers, truckers and secondary wood-consuming mills are the fifth largest industry in the state. Together we are committed to forest conservation, sustainable forest management, and industry development that fosters sound environmental stewardship. 

About The Nature Conservancy 

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. Learn more online at nature.org/Minnesota.