Illegal Logging in Minnesota
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are first and foremost designated for the protection of wildlife. They were never part of the DNR timber pool, but have recently been included—resulting in illegal logging. This recent inclusion has caused significant repercussions for the management of these lands and the oversight of timber harvesting activities.
The DNR’s supportive grant for WMAs for 2023–2025 was delayed--and it prohibited timber sales from WMAs—due to compliance failures. Starting in 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service repeatedly told the DNR that the department was not properly documenting the impact on wildlife from timber harvests in WMAs prior to initiating those harvests.
A 2025 legislative audit found that the MN DNR failed to properly plan and document timber harvests in its WMAs. The audit cited a lack of clear guidance, a failure to update management plans, and concerns from DNR staff and federal wildlife biologists about the purpose of the logging. It appears that the tree cutting was NOT done to support wildlife, but it did support logging companies.
Our team is awaiting a letter from the legislative auditor to DNR Commissioner Strommen regarding the DNR’s poor management of WMAs.
We are still looking for a busy bee! 🐝
FWS needs a new Pollinator Liaison
Liaison tasks:
- Keep stewards team updated on pollinator (monarchs, bees, hummingbirds etc) policies in Minnesota
- Attend monthly Minnesota Pollinator Cluster meetings
Please email Bob Graves if interested.