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10/09/2026

Attention Minnesota science, art, and creative writing Teachers!
Announcing the 2027 Minnesota Fish Art Contest! For all K-12 students

“The 2027 Minnesota Fish Art Contest is now open for submissions. Every year, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine (MCV) partners with Wildlife Forever to host this competition, which aims to educate students about fish and aquatic conservation while engaging their creativity. Students are invited to show off their artistic skills by producing an original illustration featuring a fish of their choosing, accompanied by a one-page creative writing piece about that species. All participants will receive a subscription to MCV magazine, and winners will receive special prizes.”

Learn more on the Minnesota Department of Naturual Resources Fish Art Contest wepage. Entries are due by February 28, 2027. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Heron Mahr Community Engagement Support Specialist for MCV, ([email protected]).

09/23/2026

Please leave the leaves!! 🍂

“Please leave the leaves in your garden areas over winter, and allow them to decompose next year and enrich your soil. Leaves are used for hibernation, nesting and shelter by many pollinators and other wildlife, including bees, butterflies, moths and fireflies throughout the year. Skip fall and spring cleanup to make a difference for pollinators in your yard. The myths of a “safe” time to clean up after so many 50 degree days in spring are false. Pollinators need them all year.” 🐝 Wisconsin/Midwest Bumble Bee Observers

09/22/2026

09/22/2026

Did you know? "Minnesota DNR completes seed sowing via helicopter for remote reforestation
Aerial seeding is one of several reforestation activities that take place on state-managed land in fall"

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed aerial seeding via helicopter to disperse jack pine, white pine, tamarack and black spruce seeds on DNR-managed forests. The flights are part of the DNR’s typical reforestation work and are necessary to reach remote or otherwise difficult-to-access areas like bogs. The DNR also uses aerial seeding to spread seed on sites where circumstances might prevent species from regenerating naturally.

This month, the DNR dispersed seeds on just over 500 acres across 14 sites. Seeds are mixed with a clay carrier, loaded into a hopper, then distributed evenly over each site from a height just above any surrounding trees.

After seeding, DNR foresters will continue to monitor sites as the trees grow, ensuring the young trees can thrive and provide the many benefits of a growing forest. In addition to aerial seeding, other reforestation strategies include hand planting seedlings or allowing trees to naturally regenerate. Foresters consider a variety of factors to decide which regeneration strategy best suits a site.

“We use seed from our State Forest Nursery to reforest thousands of acres a year through planting seedlings and dispersing seed,” said Chris Gronewold, DNR Silviculture Program coordinator. “From ensuring a reliable seed supply to seeding and planting to ongoing management and care, reforestation is an ongoing cycle that requires a lot of hands-on work to keep forests healthy and growing.”

Reforestation is led by the DNR’s Silviculture Program. Silviculture is the art and science of tending forests to meet a variety of societal values, including recreation, wildlife habitat, clean air and water, sustainable timber resources, and more.

The DNR reforests every acre of state-managed land harvested, as well as those affected by natural disturbance like fires and windstorms. More than simply planting seeds and seedlings, silviculture also includes activities like protecting young trees from hungry deer, cutting brush to remove competing vegetation, conducting prescribed burns, and creating plans for reforestation before sites are harvested. Learn more about reforestation on state lands on the DNR website

09/04/2026

Help Minnesota’s state tree grow! Red pine, or Norway pine, is Minnesota's state tree.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for red pine cone collectors ahead of anticipated bumper crop.

"Red pine plays a major role in our forests. Their height provides great nesting sites for eagles, they provide food for wildlife, and red pine timber helps support Minnesota’s economy,” said Jarrod Amundson, DNR seed and cone consultant. "Every year, Minnesotans collect cones to help reforest the state. With a bumper crop of red pine cones this year, we need people’s help more than ever. We hope to purchase 1,000 bushels of red pine from collectors.”

Red Pine produces a good seed crop every few years but only has a true bumper crop like this year about once every 10 years. The DNR needs help from Minnesotans this season to collect as many ripe, closed cones as possible to build a strong red pine seed supply for plantings in future years. DNR processes the cones it purchases to extract seeds, which are sown into nursery beds at the State Forest Nursery in Akeley to grow seedlings for reforestation projects. Annually, the DNR reforests roughly 2,000 acres of red pine, which takes nearly 1 million seedlings.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for help collecting red pine cones and has increased its payment to $95 per bushel for clean, ripe and closed cones. This year's crop is expected to be the best the state has seen in a decade. Cones will be ready for collection from early September through October.

09/04/2026

The Ultimate Nature Lover.
Wendell Berry you will be missed greatly. But your simple, eloquent words will remain in our hearts.

09/04/2026

Don’t miss out! Only until September 20th!

Minnesota artist Kristin Maija Peterson’s solo exhibit, a catalog of artworks and stories inspired by Wendell Berry's poem “The Peace of Wild Things,” is on view at The Artistry Atrium Gallery from July 17 to September 20, 2026.. PDF to flipbook converted using heyzine.com

09/04/2026

Help Minnesota’s state tree grow! Red pine or Norway pine, is Minnesota's state tree. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources seeks red pine cone collectors ahead of anticipated bumper crop.

“The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking the public for help collecting red pine cones and has increased its payment to $95 per bushel for clean, ripe and closed cones. This year's crop is expected to be the best the state has seen in a decade. Cones will be ready for collection from early September through October.”

"Red pine plays a major role in our forests. Their height provides great nesting sites for eagles, they provide food for wildlife, and red pine timber helps support Minnesota’s economy,” said Jarrod Amundson, DNR seed and cone consultant. "Every year, Minnesotans collect cones to help reforest the state. With a bumper crop of red pine cones this year, we need people’s help more than ever. We hope to purchase 1,000 bushels of red pine from collectors.”

Red Pine produces a good seed crop every few year, but only has a true bumper crop like this year about once every 10 years. The DNR needs help from Minnesotans this season to collect as many ripe, closed cones as possible to build a strong red pine seed supply for plantings in future years. DNR processes the cones it purchases to extract seeds, which are sown into nursery beds at the State Forest Nursery in Akeley to grow seedlings for reforestation projects. Annually, the DNR reforests roughly 2,000 acres of red pine, which takes nearly 1 million seedlings.

08/31/2026

Evolving. Learning. Nature has a reason. To everything there is a season. Trust Mother Earth. Get out of her way.

Before reaching for the spray bottle, consider what's already working in your garden. Dragonflies are quietly managing mosquitoes. Ladybugs are feeding on aphids. Spiders are catching flies. Nature's already built the system—it just needs space to operate.

A healthy garden isn't sterile. It's alive and balanced, full of creatures doing their part in an ecosystem that's been perfecting itself for centuries. When we step back and observe instead of react, we realize we're not fighting nature. We're part of it.

Spray less. Watch more. Let the garden remind you that sometimes the best solutions are the ones that were already there.