We’re very proud to tell you about a new easement located southeast of Houston, Minnesota that fits into adjacent state forest land like a key fits in a lock.
“I am excited about these 275-acres of land because it’s surrounded on three sides by 3,300 acres of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Forest’s Reno Unit,” stated Project Manager Nick Bancks. “This means that for people as well as animals, the large tracts of forested lands will remain that way forever.”
This project falls within the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota, and is home to the greatest biodiversity in our state. Yet, 96% of the land is privately held, and thus subject to development and loss of wildlife habitat.
For this reason, permanently protecting private land with the Minnesota Land Trust is a key strategy for preserving and restoring these ‘biodiversity hotspots’ that escaped the scouring glacial action of 500,000 years ago.
Biodiversity is important because it helps the resiliency of the land. The more species types we have, the better the trees, plants and critters adapt to climate and other changes over time.
The striking topography includes a forested ridgeline that drops nearly 500 feet into the floodplain of Crooked Creek, a state-designation trout stream. The permanently protected forest lands help maintain the cool temperatures and water quality that is so critical for naturally reproducing trout streams.
This new project was made possible by members of the Minnesota Land Trust with significant support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.
