Partners Ensure Sustainable Forestry on More Than 6,200 acres in Lake County

October 31, 2006

More than 6,200 acres north of Silver Bay in Lake County, Minnesota, will be conserved for forest production, public access and wildlife habitat. The agreement ensures that the forestland will continue to be harvested sustainably, providing jobs for the local community and wood supply to the mills. At the same time, it guarantees public access, including hunting, fishing, hiking, dog sledding and snowmobiling and protects important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. The partnership is comprised of The Nature Conservancy, Lake County, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, The Conservation Fund and Minnesota Power.

Lake County purchased the property from The Conservation Fund to manage it for forest products. The Nature Conservancy purchased a conservation easement on the property, ensuring sustainable forest management, wildlife habitat and opportunities for public recreation. In the coming months, the Conservancy intends to transfer the easement to the Department of Natural Resources for long-term management. The Conservancy also is purchasing a 220-acre tract as part of the project from Minnesota Power and donating it to the County, subject to a conservation easement, as part of the transaction.

“Because of changes in the forest products industry and increases in real estate values, we are seeing a move from large industrial ownership of forestlands to smaller-parcel private ownership. This fragmentation of the forest threatens wildlife habitat, timber-related jobs and recreational opportunities like hunting and birding,” said DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam. “The DNR is pleased to be a part of this cooperative effort to conserve this large tract of forest land.”

Aside from supplying local mills with timber, the property provides important habitat for migratory songbirds, ruffed grouse, deer, timber wolf and moose. The land also encompasses the headwaters of the north branch of the Manitou River, a prime trout stream in the region.

Across the United States, and now in Minnesota, the shifting economics of the forest products industry and real estate values have forced unprecedented changes in timberland ownership. Forestland has become increasingly susceptible to seasonal home development rather than sustainable timber production. Large expanses of forests that people thought were protected now are being converted to small lot subdivisions, resulting in degradation of habitat, loss of productive timberland and reduced public recreational access. There is a small window of opportunity in Minnesota to guide this development and protect specific large blocks of forest for continued forest products uses and public recreation.

For More Information:

• Where We Work: Minnesota
  

  In Minnesota, we work with partners to develop conservation-based forest management plans, promote conservation-oriented agricultural programs and implement conservation strategies. 

• How We Work: Global Forest Partnership
  Forests renew the air we breathe and moderate our global climate by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it over the long term. They play a major role in recycling atmospheric moisture and stabilizing soils. Forests, quite simply, help sustain all life on Earth.
• How We Work: Nature Conservancy Partnerships
  The Nature Conservancy pursues non-confrontational, pragmatic, market-based solutions to conservation challenges. This makes it essential for us to work collaboratively with partners – communities, businesses, government agencies, multilateral institutions, individuals and other non-profit organizations.

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