Looking to existing forests that could naturally spread their seeds into nearby fields that could support new tree growth is a low-cost way to achieve reforestation goals. We are fortunate in Minnesota to have approximately 17.6 million acres of forestland remaining, some of which is adjacent to areas in need of reforestation. “The good news is that growth in the industry could lead to new jobs as our state takes on climate change.”Įxpanding the kinds of strategies we use in reforestation-beyond nursery production and traditional planting-will also be key to realizing our potential in Minnesota. Some of our greatest potential lies in natural regeneration-simply allowing forests to grow back on their own where there is a seed source-usually adjacent to an existing forest. “The nursery industry will really need to expand and scale up production for the kind of diversity planting Minnesota needs to address climate change impacts on our forests” says Cornett. A sensible policy for forests of the 20th century, but researchers are recommending a change to Minnesota’s seed sourcing requirements to either become flexible or to include exceptions for cases where assisted migration may be needed. With fixed seed sourcing zone policies, like the state of Minnesota’s, seeds and seedlings must be sourced from the same seed zone in which they are planted. “We’re really going to have to adjust our mindset and broaden our view of what the Northwoods can be if we’re going to continue to have forests in this part of the state.” “One of the bigger hurdles we face ahead is really one of the imagination,” says Meredith Cornett, director of conservation science with The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota. Through on-the-ground science and research, we are learning that assisted migration may be an effective climate management strategy in places like northeastern Minnesota. In order to transition forests, and enable them to persist as surrounding areas experience climate shifts, forest land managers should prioritize diversity and resilience by planting species predicted to do well under the changing conditions. Minnesota’s reforestation initiative must be climate-informed, which means rethinking our traditional suite of tree species.Īssisted migration, or the movement of species with a little help from people, is one strategy that ecologists and land managers are looking to as a way of maintaining diversity and resilience in natural areas most vulnerable to climate change. This calls for new thinking about the types of trees we plant. Many parts of Minnesota have already warmed two degrees Celsius, and changes to the amount and timing of precipitation require us to rethink our planting protocols. We also need to consider the reality of a warming climate and what kinds of seedlings will not only survive but thrive under changing climate conditions. It won’t be enough to simply plant more of the same trees.
#TREE SEEDLINGS MN PLUS#
But trees are about as cost-effective as it gets, plus they yield multiple benefits like clean water and air, habitat for our iconic wildlife and improved public health outcomes.
We know planting trees alone isn’t going to fix the climate crisis. In addition to reducing emissions, there may be other technological solutions to carbon drawdown in the works. Not only that, scaling up our investments in reforestation could provide a huge win-win for jobs and nature-and at a time where we really could use some more wins.
None of this is free, but the cost of inaction is significantly higher. Investing in the post-planting work is just as important-for example, protecting seedlings from deer browsing and managing brush and weeds at planting sites to give young trees a fighting chance. It also means expanding the workforce, especially planting crews. That means accelerating seed collection in addition to nursery production. put it, the entire reforestation pipeline has to scale up to meet the need. As we awaken to the huge potential of reforestation, it’s clear we need an all-of-the-above strategy.
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