On Tuesday, January 19, the Minnesota Forest Resources Council celebrated 25 years of service to the people and forests of Minnesota with the release of their 2019-2020 Biennial Report. Governor Tim Walz and Commissioner Sarah Strommen joined the Council in this celebration, “Zooming” in for the Council’s January Meeting, overseen by Chair Peter Aube. The Council is made up of the Chair and 16 stakeholder members who represent the diverse forestry interests within Minnesota; for the past 25 years, Council members have worked collaboratively across traditional divides, creating practical guides and innovative solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of Minnesota’s forests.

In a warm address, Governor Walz told Council members, “A very heartfelt thank you. I would make the case that this Council and what you represent in terms of public engagement and servant leadership is the best we have to offer… I hope that you know that things that come out of Councils like this, I defer heavily to [your] decisions… It’s folks like you who bring that vast experience in that get us real solutions.”

Addressing the group, Commissioner Strommen highlighted the key work of the Council and the dedication of Council members. “The fact that that you’re still here working [25 years later] and still have this kind of energy and enthusiasm is a testament to the fact that [this group] works exactly as the Governor said… [This is] a great example of government working with citizen involvement, this diversity of perspectives coming together around complex issues to think about different perspectives, to think about potential solutions and really to find the best outcomes.”

During the meeting, the Council unanimously passed a resolution approving the 2019-2020 Biennial Report and directing Chair Aube to present it to Governor Walz and Minnesota’s 92nd Legislature. The Biennial Report outlines the Council’s wide-reaching efforts to promote science-based, sustainable forestry in Minnesota, beginning with the Council’s founding in 1995 by the Sustainable Forest Resources Act the and continuing through to today. The Biennial Report offers Minnesotans the chance to explore Council highlights from the past two years while considering 21st century challenges, and the Council’s creative solutions.

Other highlights from the January Council meeting included a look back at the history of the Council and the Sustainable Forest Resources Act, presented by University of Minnesota Forest Resources Department Head and Council member Mike Kilgore. Executive Director Eric Schenck offered remarks about the Council’s mission and future, telling the group “[We are charged] with helping our leaders find this common ground forward… This work will never be done. Each new generation will need to have this same opportunity to be part of a decision about how these forest resources that are a state asset, and a national asset really, are going to be used and managed for the good of us all.”

Chairs from the Council’s six committees also offered reports and updates on their work. As the Council’s meeting wound to a close, former Executive Director Dave Zumeta congrtulated the Council. “This is about as good a meeting as I can recall, congratulations to [Chair] Pete, to the other Council members, to [Executive Director] Eric and to all the MFRC staff.”

The Minnesota Forest Resources Council holds bimonthly public meetings. Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, March 16, with a Zoom link available via our calendar. The Council exists to support and advocate for Minnesotans like you! We hope to see you there.