The Nature Conservancy Applauds Bonding Support for Forest Conservation and Habitat
Minneapolis, MN—May, 26, 2006--The Nature Conservancy today applauded the efforts of Governor Tim Pawlenty and the entire Minnesota Legislature for investing $30 million – nested in the 2006 bonding bill - for protecting the state’s natural resources and guaranteeing opportunities for public access. The bill allocates $7 million for conserving the state’s industrial forestland through conservation easements and directs another $20 million to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to acquire land for the state’s Wildlife Management Area system. The bill also commits $2 million to the state Natural Areas Program and $1 million to the Prairie Bank program.
“We owe a great deal to the Legislative leaders and Governor Tim Pawlenty for investing in our natural resources,” said Ron Nargang, State Director of The Nature Conservancy. “This commitment ensures sustainable forest management, wildlife habitat and guarantees opportunities for public access.”
Minnesota is facing serious threats from forest fragmentation as many large-scale private industrial forestland owners have put their land on the open market, putting timber-related jobs, public access and wildlife habitat at risk. Protecting large blocks of forestland conserves the vital connection between Minnesota’s healthy forest-based industries and healthy forest ecosystems. The state’s commitment is particularly beneficial because it will support the efforts of the Minnesota Forest Legacy Partnership to raise $26 million in private and public funds to secure these critical working forest easements.
“The state’s WMA system is one of Minnesota’s crown jewels,” said Nargang. “Never before have Minnesotans seen this level of commitment from our state leaders. This is tremendous shot in the arm for our forests, prairies, rivers, streams and wetlands.”
WMAs protect critical wildlife habitat for both game and non-game species across Minnesota. Established in 1951, Minnesota's wildlife management system is regarded as one of the finest in the country, and plays a key role in preserving wildlife populations as well as benefiting all Minnesotans by providing outdoor recreation opportunities for hunting, fishing and wildlife watching.
In 2003, a Citizen Advisory Committee to the Department of Natural Resources recommended that Minnesota increase its efforts to protect wildlife habitat through the Wildlife Management Area system within the next 10 years. The citizen committee report noted that the need for wildlife habitat protection is becoming more and more urgent as Minnesota faces increased development in rural areas, continued loss of critical wildlife lands and the escalating cost of land. To meet the needs these pressures and the needs of wildlife, the committee recommended accelerating habitat protection over the next decade by protecting an additional 210,000 acres.
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