The hot weather that we were experiencing for most of the summer has been replaced by much cooler weather. This is not an earth-shaking event, but it is quite a shock to the system. I love fall weather, and when I look back at the days when fall meant raking leaves and burning them in the back yard, it almost seemed like fun. As time passed, you could only burn on certain days and eventually, not at all. I miss those days, but like anything in life; change happens, sometimes for the better.
Two Minnesota forests to join national Old-Growth Forest Network
Two renowned Minnesota old-growth forests — the Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area in Itasca County and the Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA in Clearwater County — will be the first in the state to join the national Old-Growth Forest Network. The network recognizes existing old-growth forests across the nation and highlights the importance of preserving these areas.
“Minnesota has 48,000 acres of protected old-growth forest,” Minnesota DNR Forest Ecologist Emily Peters said. “It provides unique habitats for native plants and animals, and important recreational and spiritual opportunities for Minnesotans. The DNR has a longstanding goal to protect this rare and important forest resource on state land. The 114-acre Lost 40 SNA owes its 32-acre old-growth pine forest to a surveying error during the Public Land Survey in 1882. As the story goes, the pines were missed by loggers because surveyors mistakenly mapped the area as Coddington Lake. The site was re-surveyed, and the error corrected in 1960. Shortly after, it was incorporated into Big Fork State Forest and its old trees have since endured. The DNR designated this old-growth forest in 1995.
If you have never visited the Lost 40 it is quite impressive. To have this historic natural forest available for the public to enjoy makes it, in my opinion, a Minnesota Treasure. I visited the Lost 40 with my family for the first time in July of 2018. I am not an avid hiker, but I did enjoy hiking the trails that wind through the vast number of huge trees that make up this historic forest.
I have not yet visited the 1,600-acre Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA, which is located within Itasca State Park. The natural area holds an important place in Minnesota's conservation history. It was established in 1939 within the park at the suggestion of the Minnesota Academy of Science, to preserve a part of the wilderness character of the state that existed prior to European settlement. In 1965, it became Minnesota's first National Natural Landmark. Most of the sanctuary was designated a state SNA in 1989, as the finest example of Great Lakes Pine Forest in north-central Minnesota. I plan on visiting this forest in the coming year.
Until next time: We still have plenty of color to enjoy in our area of the state. It is a great time to take a drive and enjoy nature at its finest. We always need to be conscious of farmers driving their machinery from field to field during harvest.
Please show our support for the troops that are serving our country today. These servicemen and women are making that sacrifice, so that we may have the many freedoms that we enjoy today.