In 2018, the state of Minnesota launched its Strategic Timber Harvest Initiative. Despite its name, this program proved to be far more indiscriminate than strategic.
This program set quotas for logging on state-administered forest lands, including state wildlife management areas that are created to provide habitat for deer, moose, grouse, hawks and owls, fishers, martens, and many other forest-dwelling species. Despite state laws that mandate this logging must be done to prioritize wildlife needs, the harvest quotas proved to have a life of their own.
Commentary: Midpoint of Minnesota DNR’s timber harvest plan means a time to reflect, examine future
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