Reforestation in Minnesota
Reforestation is crucial for communities in Minnesota because it helps restore ecosystems, address climate change, and support local economies. Healthy forests provide habitat for wildlife and improve water quality by filtering pollutants before they reach lakes and rivers, which are vital to Minnesota’s recreational and drinking water resources. Reforestation also supports Minnesota’s economy and quality of life. By investing in reforestation, Minnesota communities can maintain the natural beauty that defines the state.
What difference do healthy forests make for communities in Minnesota?
Forests have a multi-billion dollar impact in Minnesota
The forest products economy in the Northwoods generates $78.6 billion annually and supports over 246,000 jobs.1 Ensuring sustainable forest management is crucial to maintaining these economic benefits while preserving forest health and biodiversity.
Minnesota’s forests offer shade, habitat, and recreational opportunities for hikers, campers, hunters, and nature lovers, supporting a $25-billion outdoor recreation economy with over 280,000 jobs.1
Healthy forests protect water quality
Minnesota’s forests naturally purify water by absorbing pollutants and trapping sediment, protecting lakes, rivers, and drinking water sources. The Northwoods filter pollutants in the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes, which provide drinking water for nearly 60 million people.1
Forests maintain cool stream temperatures, supporting native fish populations. Therefore, it’s important to replant trees along waterways to prevent erosion and replace those damaged by pests like spruce budworm and emerald ash borer.1
Forests support biodiversity and wildlife habitats
Covering over 60 million acres, the Northwoods are home to moose, gray wolves, pine martens, black bears, and more than 200 species of migratory and resident birds.1
Forests help naturally remove and store carbon
The Northwoods sequester 12 million metric tons of carbon annually, mitigating climate change. Restoration efforts, such as planting trees that can better adapt to a changing climate, and selective harvesting guided by climate science, could further enhance this capacity.1
Minnesota has 2.09 million acres available for reforestation. Reforesting these areas with approximately 1.1 billion trees could capture 6.64 million tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to removing 1.31 million cars from the road.2
Americans overwhelmingly support practices that expand reforestation
91% of voters nationwide (86% GOP, 90% IND, and 97% DEM) support “providing financial incentives and programs to conserve forests, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and other natural areas through voluntary land conservation agreements with farmers, ranchers, forest owners, and other willing landowners.”3
90% of voters nationwide (85% GOP, 92% IND, 95% DEM) support “providing technical assistance and education to farmers and forest owners so they can learn how to incorporate climate-smart practices on their land.”3
87% of voters nationwide (80% GOP, 88% IND, 93% DEM) support “providing financial incentives and programs for private forest and woodland landowners to sustainably manage their land to keep forests healthy and adopt practices that naturally remove carbon from the air.”3
Source: Survey of 1000 registered voters conducted in June 2024 by bipartisan research team New Bridge Strategy (R) and FM3 Research (D). Commissioned by U.S. Nature4Climate.
What can be done with more funding for reforestation?
Increase seed and seedling supply
Reforesting a million acres in Minnesota requires a steady supply of seeds and seedlings. Challenges include limited supply, wildfires, a shortage of seed orchards, , and an aging workforce. Investing in training new seed collectors, tracking , and employing seed scouts will ensure a steady supply for reforestation.4
Provide incentives for landowners
With more funding, more landowners can be incentivized to place their land under conservation easements, ensuring it remains forested and protected from development.5
Increase resilience to pests, diseases, and climate change with tree diversity
To increase forest resilience to pests, diseases, and climate change, funds are needed to diversify tree species and age classes. Trees should be selected, planted, and tended to ensure they can survive and thrive in a warming world.6
Increase funding for forest conservation
Additional funds can be used to purchase and permanently protect critical forest lands, allowing for active management to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and sequester carbon.9 Forest conservation is crucial, as avoided forest conversion offers one of the fastest sequestration rates of any practice, making it an important first step despite the limited area available.10
Click for References
1. The Nature Conservancy. (n.d.). Great Lakes Northwoods. Retrieved from https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/great-lakes/stories-in-the-great-lakes/great-lakes-northwoods/
2. Reforestation Hub. (2023). Minnesota. Retrieved from https://www.reforestationhub.org/state/minnesota
3. New Bridge Strategy & FM3 Research. (2024). Survey of 1000 registered voters conducted in June 2024. Commissioned by U.S. Nature4Climate. Retrieved from https://usnature4climate.org/2024/08/07/support-for-implementing-natural-climate-solutions-in-the-united-states-is-strong-and-growing/
4. The Nature Conservancy. (2025). Stories in Minnesota: The Need for Seed. Retrieved from https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/minnesota/stories-in-minnesota/seed-collection/
5. Whidbey Camano Land Trust. (2024). Q&A on conservation easements. Retrieved from https://www.wclt.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/QA-on-Conservation-Easements.pdf
6. The Nature Conservancy. (2024). Minnesota tree planting. Retrieved from https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/minnesota-tree-planting/
7. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Prescribed fire in natural areas. Retrieved from https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snap/prescribed-fire-natural-areas.html
8. The Nature Conservancy. (2025). Minnesota tree planting. Retrieved from https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/minnesota-tree-planting/
9. The Conservation Fund. (n.d.). Forest Conservation Easement Program. Retrieved from https://www.conservationfund.org/fcep/
10. The Nature Conservancy. (2021). Natural climate solutions in Minnesota report. Retrieved from https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/NCSinMinnesotaReport_01.11.2021.pdf
Make the case for reforestation
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Contact experts on reforestation:
Below is a list of organizations that specialize in reforestation within our coalition. Send us an email and we’ll direct you to the correct person to communicate with.
Explore our “Science for Decision-Makers” page
The “Science for Decision-Makers” section highlights key research on nature-based solutions in the U.S., including strategies like reforestation and improving forest management, complemented by blog articles, case studies, videos, and infographics that summarizes the research and explain the impact it can have on real-world situations.
What is the science?
See the climate mitigation potential of reforestation and other forest strategies in our Science page.
What else can be done?
- See how peatlands are benefiting communities in Minnesota
- Explore other states