MN’s 10-year Conservation Plan

Moose, invasive species, prairie birds, tourism, mining, and timber sales all make the list. For the complete read, click HERE. To explore specific goals by subtopic, see HERE.

 

Recap of four key areas of focus:

1. Conservation:

“The cumulative effects of land use change, invasive species spread, pollution and a changing climate are combining in new ways to threaten the health of Minnesota’s natural lands and waters.”
Trends highlighted:
• Groundwater supplies are threatened
• Invasive species are spreading
• Prairies, grasslands, and wetlands are declining
• Changing wildlife populations; for example Grassland bird populations are decreasing, Moose population decreased by 50% in past 8 yrs
2. Outdoor Rec is acknowledged as a vehicle and important part of conservation:

Itasca State Park was named one of America’s 10 best state parks in 2014. In 2010, Bear Head Lake State Park was voted “America’s Favorite Park” and Minnesota was voted the second-most bike-friendly state.
The MN DNR sites the following key objectives with Outdoor Rec:
Expand and promote “I Can!” Programs
Expand hunter recruitment and retention
Increase user-friendly access to information (online tools: Fish Info. and Park Finder; better website)
Implement a new parks and trails system plan
3. Natural Resources as Jobs, the plan cites the following objectives:
Attract future businesses, tourists and skilled workers to the state. Two facts they chose to cite:

Forest products and mining sectors are major employers in the state, accounting
for 62,400 and 11,000 jobs, respectively. Minnesota mines produce 80 percent
of U.S.-mined iron ore and taconite.
Tourism: Minnesota’s lakes, wild lands, and state parks and trails are main attractions that
contribute to the state’s $12.5 billion annual sales from travel and tourism.

Also included as goals:

Encourage emerging forest industries
Advance mining technologies and strategies that protect the environment
Enhance and expand nature-based tourism
Improve groundwater and surface water systems
4. DNR Operations
Citizen demand for info. and services (online focus) is growing
Costs of doing business are increasing while funding is decreasing, therefore demand on staff is increasing
The DNR cites the following goals to address these challenges:
Invest in facilities, info technology and fleet to ensure safe and effective delivery of public services and efficient internal operations.
Lead the way in energy conservation and renewable energy use to demonstrate wise use to citizens and other organizations.
Something missing? Want to share your thoughts? The creators of this 10-Year Conservation Plan include DNR commissioners, senior

managers, operations managers and key staff members. You may email or call in your thoughts:
info.dnr@state.mn.us
651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367

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