Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

🌱Tree Seedling Sales Now Open! 🌱 Our seedlings are grown to support Minnesota’s woodlands. 🌲 This year we’ve made ordering even easier with our new online system. Just create or log in to your LoginMN account and start building your order. A few things to know before you order: ✅Minimum order of 300 seedlings unless you pick our packets with 250 seedlings. ✅Mix species in increments of 100. ✅Order today and get your trees in the spring. Thank you for choosing the Minnesota State Forest Nursery. Together, we’re growing strong, resilient forests for the future! Get started here: mndnr.gov/forestry/nursery

🚨Urban and community forestry grants update! 🌳 Priority map expanded and deadline extended. 🙌 The Priority Area map for both ReLeaf and Community Tree Planting grants has been expanded. The map now uses census tracts at the 70th percentile at the state level, not just nationally, so more communities fall within the priority areas. To give applicants more time, deadlines have been extended: 🌱Community Tree Planting Grants – due Oct. 27, 2025 🌱ReLeaf Grants – due Nov. 11, 2025 Check the updated map and new grant timeline at: https://lnkd.in/gaXvvnqQ

Thinking about planting trees on your open fields? 🌲 The Field to Forest cost-share program helps landowners with large-scale tree planting projects. You could get up to 75% reimbursement for expenses plus a $500 incentive per acre planted. ⏯️ Watch this video to hear directly from a Minnesota landowner who used past cost shares to replant their land: https://lnkd.in/gQSJZhB2 Applications are open now through Dec. 1, 2025 for planting projects in spring 2026. Contact your local DNR stewardship forester early to get started! Recommended project size is 3 acres. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gjTpnCB3

Wondering how to create healthy and resilient forests after a blowdown? 🌲 Join Megan O’Neil, DNR forest health specialist and the Minnesota Forestry Association (MFA) for a fall webinar series focused on helping woodland owners and forestry professionals respond to recent storm damage. 🗓️ Monday, Oct. 13, 4:00–5:30 p.m. Presenters include: 🎤 Megan O’Neil, DNR forest health specialist — on pests and diseases to watch for 🎤Brian Bignall, Potlatch forester — on the forest industry perspective of the blowdown Other upcoming sessions: • Nov. 10 – Cost-share opportunities for landowners • Dec. 8 – Fire prevention and reforestation efforts Webinars are free to attend, but registration is required. https://lnkd.in/g22SVTgs

With more than 1 billion ash trees in the state, our forests need all the help they can get against emerald ash borer (EAB). One tool that makes a difference? Wasps! The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service are working together to release parasitoid wasps in Chippewa National Forest as part of a long-term biological control effort to slow the spread of EAB. These non-stinging wasps target EAB at different life stages, helping reduce populations naturally without harming other species. It’s the only biological control for EAB used at the forest landscape level, and it’s a great example of science, strategy, and partnership in action. DNR forest health specialist Eric Otto has been releasing wasps throughout the summer. Since MDA launched the program in 2010, it’s expanded to 55 release sites across Minnesota. This kind of inter-agency collaboration is key to protecting our ash trees and building long-term forest resilience.

🚨 We’re hiring a Peatland Restoration Program Coordinator! This role leads restoration efforts under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG), with two key focus areas: • Restoring peatlands on DNR-managed lands • Supporting peatland initiatives in partnership with Tribal Nations We’re looking for someone who knows peatland ecosystems, can manage complex projects, and enjoys bringing teams together around conservation goals. Ready for your next career adventure? 📅 Applications due: October 6, 2025. Search: Job ID 88912: https://lnkd.in/eFcYg-a #EnvironmentalCareers #NowHiring #CareersAtMNDNR #ConservationJobs #JobOpenings

"Ask a Climate Nerd"—a new video series featuring some of Minnesota’s top climatologists answering your questions with sharp insight and a dash of nerdy charm. 🌧️ Say hello to Senior Climatologist Kenny Blumenfeld, Climatologist Pete Boulay, and State Climatologist Luigi Romolo. Throughout our “Ask a Climate Nerd” series, this trio of experts will answer community questions about Minnesota’s climate – from seasonal shifts to weather trends, natural phenomena and more – all with sharp insight and an entertaining rapport. Have a question? Leave it in the comments or submit at: https://lnkd.in/gS4fchKQ. We might feature it! Tune in next week for episode one, which is all about the timing and science behind fall colors! 🍁 🍂The trio will be featured on our Facebook/Meta, Instagram, and YouTube channels. #AskaClimateNerd #ScienceCareers #MNDNRCareers #ClimatologyField #MNDNR #ClimateWeek

We are critically low on red and white pine cones at the Minnesota State Nursery.🌲 You can help! Early September is the best time to collect. Be sure to look for cones that have just turned brown but haven’t opened yet. Opened cones will have dropped their seeds. Call the area offices to schedule a drop off time for your cones. A list is on our website at mndnr.gov/seedcone. White pine is $50 for a bushel, red pine is $80. Read more in the Park Rapids Enterprise article: https://lnkd.in/gkYYth8E

"The internship and the opportunities I was given showed me a whole other world of positions that I could see myself in." - senior wildlife major Tam Tran said of her summer internship with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). At the MN DNR, we take pride in offering opportunities to those who are passionate about natural resources and the outdoors! Ready to find your next career adventure? 🌲🐻🦅🦆🌊 Visit our website to learn MORE: https://lnkd.in/gNGqxsE 📸 Image Credit: Purdue University - Department of Forestry and Natural Resources/College of Agriculture

We're excited for the 71st annual North Star Expo!   🌱🌟 Come test your tree identification skills, check out logging equipment up close, and ask us how the forest products industry helps the DNR sustainably manage Minnesota's forests!  The free two-day event starts tomorrow at the Itasca County Fairgrounds and is hosted by the Minnesota Timber Producers Association.     https://lnkd.in/gjG_UGXW