100 years of growing forests in Minnesota

A yearlong recognition for the 100th anniversary of the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Division of Forestry begins this year. The division has dedicated a century to protecting, managing and educating about one of Minnesota’s most treasured resources—its forests.

“What condition would Minnesota’s forests be in without the division’s oversight?” asked Dave Epperly, DNR division of forestry director. “The 58 state forests we use for recreation and hunting exist today because the Minnesota Forest Service, which was later named Division of Forestry, committed to replanting the barren and burned landscape of the early 1900s.”

In the 1800s, Minnesota was subjected to unsustainable commercial logging practices that nearly depleted the state’s pine forests. Consequently, northern Minnesota was plagued by large wildfires because people often used fire to clear slash that remained after logging operations or preparing the land for settlement. As a result of the 1910 Baudette-Spooner fire that destroyed both towns and killed at least 42 people, the 1911 Legislature established the Minnesota Forest Service to fireproof northern Minnesota.

The Minnesota Forest Service started with 21 staff members whose main responsibilities were to enforce new, strict laws governing slash removal, regulate railroads to prevent spark-caused fires, require burning permits and create Forest Ranger districts. Offices were located in St. Paul and in 15 northern Minnesota cites. In 1931 the growing Minnesota Forest Service changed its name to the Division of Forestry. The division now has more than 400 full-time, part-time and seasonal staff members with 68 offices across the state.

The division’s history, historical collections, pictorial timeline and excerpts from old-time forester Don Wilson’s book To Be a Forest Ranger are available on newly created web pages at www.mndnr.gov/forestry/ index.html.

A 104-page history book, Connected to Our Roots: 100 Years of Growing Forests in Minnesota, is also now available for $10.95 through Minnesota’s Bookstore toll-free at 800-657-3757 or online at www.comm.media.state.mn.us/bookstore/ mnbookstore.asp.