Forest landowners and those who enjoy being out in the woods can learn more about forest management and the impacts healthy forests have on local and state economies by attending next month's Million Acres in Minnesota conference scheduled for Feb. 10-11 at the Entertainment and Convention Center in Duluth. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), University of Minnesota Extension Service and the Minnesota Forestry Association are sponsoring the event.
"This conference is a great opportunity for those who depend on our forests for their livelihood and recreation to learn more about them," said Mimi Barzen, DNR forester. "In order to have healthy and productive forestlands, we need to have well-informed land managers and public."
The first day of the conference features a variety of tours in and around Duluth that focus on forestry and wildlife. Tour options include birding, a guided snowshoe hike through a forest, horse logging and a paper mill visit. In addition to the tours, there will be indoor workshops ranging from chainsaw safety to how to teach forestry to children. The exhibit hall features 50 vendors and several demonstrations. David Mech, renowned wolf biologist, will give a keynote address on his 45 years of wolf research. Mech has also traveled worldwide for animal studies, has authored 10 books and helped found the International Wolf Center in Ely.
On Saturday, conference attendees can choose from 65, 45-minute classes on topics such as amphibians and reptiles native to Minnesota, trends in forest land values, and recreational trail design and construction.
The cost is $15 for Friday evening's pizza buffet and keynote speaker, and $25 for all-day Saturday for registrations postmarked by Jan. 27. Registrations postmarked after that cost $5 more per day
Registration forms and additional information are available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.Minnesota DNR
