Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Congratulations to 81 communities awarded $16 million through our ReLeaf and Shade Tree grants. Funded by the 2023 Minnesota State Legislature, these grants will help communities address emerald ash borer and other invasive pests across the state. Awardees include nonprofits, municipalities, towns, a tribal government & a school district. Many projects will help in areas of environmental justice concern. Communities can plant trees and increase urban tree management and will preserve and improve our community forests for the future. A full list of grant recipients is available on our webpage. https://lnkd.in/gsfgfXXi

Summertime is the perfect season for being outdoors in Minnesota 🐦🧭🎣 Brush up on your outdoor skills (or learn a new one!) with the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship webinar series! Our summer line-up covers a range of exciting topics, including: 🌻 Conservation updates on the common loon 🌻 An introduction to bird watching  🌻 All about micro-fishing 🌻 The basics of orienteering 🌻 And much more! See the full line-up of webinars: mndnr.gov/discover. Remember, registration is free but required to attend.

We are seeking a motivated individual to take on an Intermediate Forester position in the Lewiston Area with the Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division. This individual will have the opportunity to practice hardwood management in a unique corner of the state. There will be a variety of projects that this forester will be responsible for. Developing relationships with various DNR partners and non-government organizations will be critical in this work. This position provides a workload that is as diverse as the landscape in an area with great outdoor recreation opportunities.   Responsibilities Include: 🌳 Division of Forestry State Land Management including: timber harvest appraisal, design, and administration, silviculture, forest inventory, and invasive species treatment 🌳 Wildfire Prevention and Suppression 🌳 Cooperative Forest Management   Qualifications include: 🌳 Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Science/Management (or a closely-related field of academic study) from a university program accredited by the Society of American Foresters or comparable accrediting institution, or current Society of American Foresters Certified Forester status. 🌳 Two (2) years forest management experience 🌳 Human relations skills sufficient to assign and monitor the work of staff; resolve problems with loggers, clients, the public, and other employees; conduct training classes; and represent the division on committees and task forces. 🌳 Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts and principles to other resource professionals and the public in verbal and written format.   Apply by July 11! Search for Job ID 72489 at https://lnkd.in/eFcYg-a.

It’s a beautiful day to tour a state fish hatchery and “Fish with the Commish!” ☀🐟 Members of Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Student Angler Tournament Trail, Woman Fly Fishers of Minnesota and other guests toured Crystal Springs Hatchery and fished for trout with DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen at Whitewater State Park this afternoon. The group fished at the site of a recently completed stream restoration that stabilized 1,800 feet of the Whitewater River channel to enhance the stream’s ecology, reduce water quality impairments, and improve aquatic habitat and public safety. More such stream restorations, and also dam modification projects and culvert replacements, will be completed thanks to last year’s historic Get Out MORE funding. The Get Out MORE investments also provide key funding to restore our state’s aging fish hatcheries, including the Crystal Springs Hatchery in Winona County. Commissioner Strommen led the group on a tour through Crystal Springs and highlighted major renovations planned for the hatchery, which include constructing a new hatchery building and replacing degraded raceways and waterlines. Learn more about these once-in-a-generation investments at https://lnkd.in/dR5YC5TE.

🌳 This past Saturday, City of South St. Paul planted around 90 trees to help restore their urban forest, which lost a third of its trees to emerald ash borer. With the help of Tree Trust, Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, and local volunteers, a diverse variety of tree species were planted to create a resilient tree canopy for future generations. Representative Hansen and DNR Assistant Commissioner Lotthammer joined the effort and highlighted the historic funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature over the past two years to help communities across the state. Funding for today’s planting was provided by DNR as part of a Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund grant supporting 35 communities that will plant 2,500 trees and treat about 4,000 trees against EAB across the state. 📷 Tree Trust and local volunteers plant trees along South Saint Paul's Boulevard. 📷 From left, Jimmy Francis, mayor of South Saint Paul; Representative Rick Hansen; Representative Sonya Harper; Shannon Lotthammer, DNR Assistant Commissioner; and Jared Smith, Executive Director & CEO at Tree Trust

If you have experience in managing building construction or repair projects, we’d love to have you join our team! The DNR is hiring 4 Facilities Specialist positions, which will be based out of Two Harbors, Bemidji, St. Paul, or Grand Rapids. In this role, you’ll be responsible for conducting facility and site condition assessments and preparing building project specifications. You’ll provide oversight for maintenance, renovation, construction and demolition projects. Learn more and apply by searching mn.gov/mmb/careers for job ID 76870. The deadline to apply is June 27th, 2024.

Happy 100th Anniversary to the Jay Cooke Swinging Bridge! 💯🌉🎇 First built in 1924 from ropes and logs by the U.S. Forest Service, the bridge was later reconstructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and stonemasons. Over its 100-year history, the celebrated structure has been reconstructed or rebuilt five times—including most recently in 2013 after a high-water event. 🌊 This Saturday, June 8 (also Free Park Day!), join us at Jay Cooke State Park to celebrate a century with this incredible icon. At 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m., state park naturalists will be sharing stories, photos, blueprints, and rarely seen videos of the bridge in its early years. Check out the park’s event calendar for more details: mndnr.gov/jaycooke View a snapshot of the history (and most recent rebuild) below 👇 📷 Thanks to Minnesota Historical Society for the sepia-toned photo (from 1934) and the black-and-white photo (from 1950)

Congratulations to our Tree City USA communities! 🎉🌳 We're excited to celebrate 119 Tree Cities and 14 Growth Awardees across Minnesota. Cities applied in fall of 2023 and were chosen this Arbor Month. The Arbor Day Foundation has been sponsoring this national program since 1976. To achieve Tree City USA status, a community has to meet four core standards: Maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrate Arbor Day. The Growth Award is given to communities that demonstrate significant tree care and community engagement levels during the calendar year. This dedication to community forestry makes our cities greener, healthier, and more resilient. Let’s close out Arbor Month by celebrating those who plant and care for trees to grow resilient communities! https://lnkd.in/g9JXs238 📷 Group of children with adult supervisor, St. Cloud 📷 Group of adults with white flag, City of New Brighton

Love loons? Help us research them! 👩🔬👨🔬 The Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program has over 160 lakes that need volunteers this summer. This year's survey runs from Friday, June 28 through Monday, July 8 and is perfect for anyone living near or visiting northern lakes. This low-commitment opportunity is perfect for anyone living near or visiting northern lakes and looking to get more involved with citizen science. Plus, you’ll be contributing to over 30 years of research! Learn more and sign up for a lake near you at https://lnkd.in/gbGSw4sp.

Minnesota is home to pristine lakes and endless opportunity to enjoy water recreation. 🎣🛶⛵   For more than 30 years, the DNR’s invasive species program remains a national leader in preventing the introduction and slowing the spread of invasive species in order to reduce their impact on Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and lands. Today, the Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan joined Commissioner Sarah Strommen and DNR staff at Lake Phalen to learn about how we employ best practices for minimizing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) like Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort and zebra mussels. This includes one of the largest watercraft inspection programs in the country, an on-demand decontamination station at Big Bog State Recreation Area in partnership with Red Lake Nation, and even specially trained K-9 dogs that can sniff out and detect AIS such as zebra mussels! We are glad to partner with state and local agencies, Tribal Nations, research institutions and other organizations to keep our aquatic ecosystems healthy and balanced. When you’re out boating this season, don’t forget to do your part: Clean, Drain, and Dispose. Clean your watercraft, Drain water-related equipment, and Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. You are an important part of the work to prevent and slow the spread of AIS! Take the AIS pledge at https://lnkd.in/gvdkGX5u.