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    Mission and Vision

    Established by the Sustainable Forest Resources Act (SFRA) of 1995, the Minnesota Forest Resources Council promotes the long-term sustainable management of Minnesota's forests. Together, we:

    • Pursue the sustainable management, use, and protection of the state's forest resources to achieve the state's economic, environmental, and social goals.
    • Encourage cooperation and collaboration between public and private sectors in the management of the state's resources.
    • Recognize and consider forest resource issues, concerns and impacts at the site and landscape levels.
    • Recognize the broad array of perspectives regarding the management, use, and protection of the state's forest resources, and establish processes and mechanisms that seek these perspectives and incorporate them into planning and management.

    Vision

    Minnesota forests are managed with primary consideration given to long-term ecosystem integrity and sustaining healthy economies and human communities. Forest resource policy and management decisions are based on credible science, community values, and broad-based citizen involvement. The public understands and appreciates Minnesota's forest resources and is involved in and supports decisions regarding their use, management and protection.

    ACCOMPLISHING THE VISION

    • The MFRC uses this vision as a framework for its activities and for evaluating progress towards achieving sustainable management of the state’s forest resources.
    • The MFRC has identified the following eleven major goals it believes will allow its vision for the state's forest resources to be realized over time.
    • Minnesota's forest land base is enlarged and protected. No net loss of forest land occurs and some previously forested areas are returned to forest cover. The forest land base is protected from decreases and fragmentation caused by land-use changes.
    • Forest ecosystems are healthy, resilient and functioning. Forests are composed of appropriate mixes of cover types and age classes required to maintain wildlife and biological diversity.
    • Forests are sustainably managed. Forests are managed to ensure economic, social and ecological sustainability. Forest management activities enhance the diversity of the state's forests and support the long-term sustainability and growth of the many sectors that depend on them.
    • Forest-based economic and recreational opportunities are numerous. The role and contribution of forests to the state's economic and social well-being is acknowledged. Economic opportunities for Minnesota's forest-based industries, including tourism and wood-based industries, are numerous, sustainable and diverse.
    • Forest practices are implemented in effective and efficient manners. Forest practices are implemented in ways that maximize their effectiveness while minimizing the costs of their administration. Guidelines suggesting appropriate practices are scientifically-based, practical and easy to understand; their rationale is clearly stated and their application consistent where possible and appropriate.
    • Forest landscape-level planning is coordinated and involves collaboration. Landscape level planning is based on ecological landscapes and involves collaboration between landowners, users, stakeholders and the public.
    • Public and private rights and responsibilities are recognized. Forest practices that achieve certain public benefits recognize and respect the inherent rights, responsibilities, interests and financial limitations of public and private forest landowners.
    • Forest research programs are effective and adaptive. Information is provided by effective and coordinated, basic and applied research programs. Forest practices and landscape planning/coordination activities are based on the best available information and technology, and can be readily adapted to new information or changing resource conditions.
    • Multi-resource information systems are compatible and comprehensive. Landowners, managers and stakeholders have access to information systems that are capable of providing comprehensive information about forest resources.
    • Forest policy development is effective and supportable. Policies and programs focused on forest resources are developed and supported by processes that collaboratively move forward to resolve issues and accommodate a wide range of constituencies.
    • Program funding is committed and sustained. Sustainable, adequate and long-term funding is available to accomplish the vision and the goals for the state's forests.
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