Sept. 26, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

Sept. 26, 2025




*For more information:*

Contact the DNR Information Center

by email  <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* Public Lands Day celebrates Minnesota’s natural spaces, those who steward them [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* As fall seasons kick off, Minnesota DNR urges anglers, hunters, and off-highway vehicle riders to prioritize safety [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Minnesota DNR plans habitat management on Flowing WMA in Clay County [ #link_1491412003165 ]
* Fall webinar series focuses on forest management in the wake of Bemidji area storm damage [ #link_1 ]

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Public Lands Day celebrates Minnesota’s natural spaces, those who steward them
A small, rocky beach with blue water surrounded by verdant trees

Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 27, as Public Lands Day in Minnesota, recognizing the vital role public lands play in Minnesota’s environmental stewardship, identity and economy.

The proclamation [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/v/bcb37) aligns with National Public Lands Day —the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands in the United States —and National Hunting and Fishing Day, which recognizes the contributions of hunters and anglers to wildlife and habitat conservation.

“The state’s public lands are essential to mitigating the impacts of climate change; providing clean water and air; conserving habitat for pollinators and other wildlife; and protecting rare plants, animals and geologic features,” Walz said in the proclamation.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages 5.6 million acres of public land, including state parks and recreation areas, wildlife and aquatic management areas, scientific and natural areas, and state forests, all of which offer diverse outdoor recreation experiences that enrich the lives of people who live in and visit Minnesota. The DNR depends on strong partnerships to collectively steward, manage, protect and conserve public lands for current and future generations. These partnerships include the 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations that share geography with Minnesota, as well as federal, state, local and nonprofit partners, and more than 14,500 volunteers.

“From rolling prairies, to oak savannas, to coniferous forests and more, our public lands are as unique and diverse as Minnesotans themselves. I encourage everyone to celebrate Public Lands Day in Minnesota by getting outside and enjoying our incredible public lands,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “We’re deeply thankful for the partnerships that help ensure these public natural spaces are cared for and enjoyed by all, now and into the future.”

One example of the state investing in improving habitat, recreational experiences, economic benefits and sustainability on public lands in Minnesota is the $150 million Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/get-out-more) initiative, which in 2025 alone has contributed to projects like: safety, access and natural resource protection upgrades; comprehensive accessibility updates at state parks and other DNR-managed public lands; expansion of the DNR’s all-terrain track chair program; and new fishing piers.

“Minnesotans and visitors are already seeing and experiencing the benefits of Get Out MORE investments to improve our world-class outdoor recreation system and will continue to see even more completed projects in the next few years,” Strommen said.

Investing in public lands also supports the strong outdoor economy in Minnesota, which creates tens of thousands of jobs and facilitates billions in annual economic output throughout the entire state.

The DNR works to integrate and sustain the independent values of a healthy environment, a sustainable economy, and livable communities by: conserving the diversity of natural lands, waters, and habitat; managing natural land such as forests, wetlands, and native prairies; maintaining healthy populations of fish and wildlife; protecting rare plant and animal communities; providing access to enrich public outdoor recreational opportunities; managing state forest lands for multiple forest values, ensuring maximum long-term economic return from school trust lands; and providing other economic opportunities in a manner consistent with sound natural resource conservation and management principles.

Find information about the recreational, economic, public health and climate benefits of DNR-managed lands and how people can connect to the outdoors on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/publiclands).

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As fall seasons kick off, Minnesota DNR urges anglers, hunters, and off-highway vehicle riders to prioritize safety

With some hunters out in the field and woods, anglers still hitting the water this fall, and off-highway vehicle riders using their machines for hunting and recreational riding, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages everyone to have a safety-focused mindset.

Whether it’s making sure to wear a life jacket in a duck boat, focusing on every step into and out of a tree stand, always practicing safe firearms handling, or wearing a helmet and buckling up while on an OHV (if the machine is equipped with seatbelts), staying safe is an individual responsibility.

“These next couple months are the highlight of the year for many people,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division. “Whether you’re fishing, hunting or riding an off-highway vehicle, opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are abundant. But people need to remember that no trip is a success if it doesn’t end safely.”

So far this year, there have been:


* Zero firearms-related hunting fatalities (compared to one in 2024 and zero in 2023)
* Five boating related fatalities (this year is on track to be a historic low, and there were nine fatalities in both 2024 and 2023)
* 16 OHV-related fatalities (in 2024, fatalities reached a historic high of 30, but 2025 numbers remain higher than some recent years; there were 15 fatalities in 2023)

Anyone heading out to recreate outside should tell someone where they’re going and when they plan to return. Following are other top safety tips to keep in mind:

*Hunters*


* Always practice the key tenets of safe firearms handling: Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded; control the muzzle; be sure of the target and what’s beyond it; keep fingers off the trigger until ready to shoot.
* When hunting from a tree stand, check equipment carefully, focus on every step into and out of the stand, and always wear a safety harness.
* People should wear blaze orange or pink to make it easier for other hunters to see them.

*Anglers and people hunting on the water*


* When fishing or hunting over water, or using the water to access a hunting spot, always wear a life jacket. An unexpected fall into cold water can quickly incapacitate even the strongest swimmer. Foam-filled life jackets are preferable this time of year.
* Abide by the manufacturer’s weight limits and distribute weight evenly across the boat.
* Keep an eye on the weather, which can change quickly this time of year.

*Off-highway vehicle operators*


* Wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet. Operators and passengers under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet, but it’s recommended for all riders.
* If the machine comes with factory-installed seatbelts, wear them. A new law now requires seatbelts to be worn by all occupants of Class 2 ATVs that are manufactured with a seatbelt when the ATV is on public roadways or rights-of way.
* Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.

Anyone who’s using public lands, even if they’re not hunting, is advised to wear blaze clothing to make themselves more visible. People walking dogs, especially if they’re off-leash, should remember that many trapping seasons open in September, October and November — and some last through the winter and into next spring — and that trapping is allowed on many public lands. Watch your dog carefully to ensure it doesn’t accidentally get caught in a trap.

See the DNR website for more information on safe firearms handling [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/firearms-safety.html), OHV safety [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ohv/atv-safety.html), tree stand safety [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/treestand), and staying safe on the water [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/safety/boatwater).

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Minnesota DNR plans habitat management on Flowing WMA in Clay County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is preparing to manage grassland habitat by conducting a fall prescribed burn on part of the 1,556-acre Flowing Wildlife Management Area east of Hitterdal in Clay County.

The planned burn will encompass approximately 560 acres on the south end of the WMA and is scheduled to happen in late September or early October, depending on weather conditions.

“The burn is the first step in a 700-plus acre grassland enhancement project that will convert old Conservation Reserve Program fields into diverse native prairie plantings,” said Rob Baden, Detroit Lakes area wildlife supervisor.

Much of Flowing WMA comprises grasslands dominated by non-native smooth brome. Some native grasses and forbs are present, as well as seedling cottonwood trees. The goal of the burn is to consume as much vegetation and dead thatch as possible to prepare the area for a late fall native grass and forb seeding. 

Fall burns are less intense than spring burns due to higher humidity levels and uncured vegetation. A fall burn is more effective at setting back encroaching trees by injuring them as they pour nutrients into their roots prior to winter. These burns generally encourage the growth of forb species, such as goldenrods, asters, prairie clover, blazing stars and coneflower, but don’t stimulate growth of warm season grasses like spring burns do.

“In 2026, additional vegetation management tools like grazing and native plant seedings, along with prescribed fire, will be used to convert the remaining old CRP acres into diverse native grasslands,” Baden said.

The DNR takes all precautions to ensure prescribed burns are conducted under proper weather conditions and that needed personnel and equipment are available to keep the fire under control. Approximately 12-15 firefighters will be onsite with a variety of engines, ATV/UTVs and tracked vehicles with water to control the burn.

Funding for this grassland enhancement project is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund, created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in November 2008, increasing the state sales tax by three-eighths of 1%. The fund receives one-third of the sales tax dollars, which may only be spent to restore, protect and enhance wetlands, prairies, and forest habitats for fish and wildlife.

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Fall webinar series focuses on forest management in the wake of Bemidji area storm damage

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Minnesota Forestry Association, will host a fall webinar series to support woodland owners and forestry professionals as they respond to recent summer storm damage in the Bemidji area. The goal of the series is to help landowners create healthy, resilient forests, even after severe weather events.

“These webinars are a chance for landowners to connect with experts and learn about resources available to help them recover from storm damage and manage their woods for the future,” said John Carlson, private forest management coordinator at the DNR. “We value the partnership with MFA and forestry professionals who bring this information to woodland owners across the state.”

The next webinar takes place from 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13. Presenters for this session include:


* Megan O’Neil, DNR forest health specialist, who will discuss common pests and diseases to watch for and how to prevent or slow their spread.
* Brian Bignall, Potlatch forester, who will give a forest industry perspective on the blowdown.

The series is held at 4 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, with upcoming sessions on Nov. 10 and Dec. 8. November’s session will cover cost-share opportunities for landowners. December will focus on fire prevention and future reforestation efforts.

The webinars are free to attend, but registration is required. For details and to register, visit the Minnesota Forestry Association website [ [link removed] ] (minnesotaforestry.org/blowdown).

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minnesota department of natural resources [ [link removed] ]

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