INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN June 21, 2023-- The Minnesota Forest Resources Council’s (MFRC’s) Northern Regional Landscape Committee is updating its regional landscape plan. The MFRC Northern Regional Landscape covers the forested regions of northern Beltrami, Koochiching, and Lake of Woods Counties. The committee expects plan update by June 30, 2024.
Dated 2010, the current Northern Regional Landscape Plan contains dated information and lacks discussion on many priority topics of today’s natural resource management. Subjects such as climate change and the connection between forested landscapes and clean water are just a few additions the committee will be adding to the plan. Regional Committee Chair, James Aasen (Koochiching County Soil and Water Conservation District) is leading the effort. James will gather input from the Northern regional committee and key regional stakeholders comprised of diverse representative interests in forest management within the region. MFRC will also provide an opportunity for public input prior to plan approval.
The landscape committees and MFRC landscape plans are a rare opportunity for regional stakeholders to give state decision makers their perspective on goals and conditions of the forested landscape. After several committee member retirements, changing roles, and participation challenges due to the pandemic, James is using this opportunity to reinvigorate the committee.
“The landscape committees are a novel way for local folks to give their two cents on topics being discussed at the state level. Often topics that they know because they’re seeing it first-hand on the ground and may be impacted most by policy decisions.” -James Aasen, MFRC Northern Regional Landscape Committee Chair.
The MFRC regional landscape program is unique in two ways. First, the program provides an “all lands” framework for collaboration on forestry and forestry-related natural resource issues at a landscape scale. Second, landscape plans and the work of the regional committees consider and discuss the social and economic aspects of natural resource management and their connections to the natural resources.
According to James Aasen, the Northern Region is a bit different from other areas of the state. The region is vastly forested and sees little of the land use pressure seen elsewhere. Spanning Lake of the Woods, Koochiching, and the northern portion of Beltrami County, the Northern region has some of the best water quality and outdoor recreation opportunities in the state. Wood product production is an important component of the region’s economy; employing loggers, mill workers, skilled tradesman, foresters, small forest product operators, as well as all the other businesses that support these careers.
In accordance with the Sustainable Forest Resources Act (SFRA) regional committees strive to be inclusive, locally driven networks for sustainable forest management across Minnesota. Participation is voluntary, grassroots, and incorporates the broad variety of interests and perspectives on forest management and forest resource issues. The regional committees operate in an open and public process to identify goals, challenges, and solutions to Minnesota’s evolving landscape.
