Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Welcome to the official Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) page. You can also learn more on our website at mndnr.gov.

Welcome to the official Minnesota Department of Natural Resources page! Follow us here for the latest DNR news, videos, photos and answers to your questions about Minnesota's natural resources and outdoor opportunities. Minnesota DNR is an equal opportunity provider. All visitors must follow our Terms of Use for Social Media Channels: mndnr.gov/site_tools/terms_of_service.html

5.6 million acres of Minnesota's public lands are managed by the DNR, but they’re owned by YOU. Our shared natural space...
14/09/2026

5.6 million acres of Minnesota's public lands are managed by the DNR, but they’re owned by YOU.

Our shared natural spaces support our quality of life, connect us with nature, and belong to all of us.

What's your favorite thing about Minnesota's outdoors?

On September 11, 2001, the DNR answered a call for help far beyond the forests and wildfires where staff typically work....
11/09/2026

On September 11, 2001, the DNR answered a call for help far beyond the forests and wildfires where staff typically work.

Within days of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, seven DNR forestry employees were on the scene to support search and recovery crews with mapping the aftermath of the attack in a 16-acre area of lower Manhattan.

Working alongside FEMA and search teams from across the country, the DNR crew created and continually updated maps of areas that had been searched, significant findings, hazards and other critical information. These maps helped crews navigate the massive rubble pile, prevent duplicate searches and document where victims and personal items were found.

The mobile mapping unit was built to provide mapping expertise to the front lines of wildfires. At Ground Zero, that same expertise helped bring order and vital information to an unimaginable disaster.

Today, we remember and honor the people who were injured or killed as a result of the 9/11 attacks. We also honor their families and the many who answered the call to serve. 💗

Fall is in the air. 🍂 Are your docks, lifts and swim rafts ready for the end of the season?This is a great time to inspe...
10/09/2026

Fall is in the air. 🍂 Are your docks, lifts and swim rafts ready for the end of the season?

This is a great time to inspect equipment and pay special attention for any attached aquatic invasive species. As you remove equipment from the water, remember to Clean, Drain and Dry!

🌿Clean equipment by removing plants, small animals, mud and debris.

💧Drain all water from equipment.

⛵Dry docks, lifts, swim rafts and keep out of the water for 21 days before moving to a different lake or river.

🖥️If you hire a company to remove or transport equipment, verify they have a current lake service provider permit and follow aquatic invasive species laws. Confirm permits at mndnr.gov/permitted-LSP.

Your actions help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species! Learn more at dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/shoreland-residents.html.

Happy 10th anniversary to Centennial State Forest! While it’s only been managed by the DNR as a state forest since 2016,...
10/09/2026

Happy 10th anniversary to Centennial State Forest! While it’s only been managed by the DNR as a state forest since 2016, it’s had a long history as a working forest – going back at least 150 years.

Much of the forest is made up of red pine, and it also contains hardwoods, ponds, wetlands, and shoreline along Camp Two Lake. This 3,394-acre forest is popular for fishing, hunting, paddling, snowmobiling, birdwatching, and more.

From seedlings planted by German POWs to reforestation efforts today, this state forest continues to provide wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and timber for wood products.

09/09/2026

Some areas are seeing rain in the next few days but that doesn’t mean your tree doesn’t need water. Most of the state is still abnormally dry. Check your weather app to see if it has rained at least an inch, and if not, grab your hose! 💦

Drought is stressful to trees, especially in an urban setting. Help your friendly neighborhood trees by watering and mulching correctly.

For mature trees, water the soil under the tree's entire canopy from the trunk to the edge using a soaker hose. Or rotate a garden hose trickling water around the tree. Water long enough so the first 6 inches of soil are damp. Water in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.

For trees planted in the last few years, provide around 25 gallons of water a week. You can also put a watering bag around your tree but make sure to remove it at the end of the season!

09/09/2026

The Venus +. Serena of fishing? We think so! 🐟🐟

Sadie Spatafore is the current (2026) catch + release state record holder for rainbow trout. Her goal? To beat her big sissy's record from last year!!

Mission Accomplished!✅

Great job, girls! 🎉

No better place for bragging rights than the Great Minnesota Get-Together! 🎣We invited anglers who caught record-breakin...
09/09/2026

No better place for bragging rights than the Great Minnesota Get-Together! 🎣

We invited anglers who caught record-breaking fish since last fair to celebrate at the DNR Building during the Minnesota State Fair.

A quick guide to those who were able to attend:

Front row, from left:

🐟 Dale Hoffman, bluegill – certified weight record
🐟 Benjamin Erb, bowfin – catch-and-release record
🐟 Andy Kilen, largemouth bass – catch-and-release record
🐟 Isaac Richert, shortnose gar – catch-and-release record
🐟 Joe Busch, blue sucker – catch-and-release
🐟 Sadie Spatafore, rainbow trout – catch-and-release

Back row, from left:

🐟 Doug Olson, brown trout – catch-and-release
🐟 Joe Bouta, lake trout – certified weight record
🐟 David Selle, black crappie – certified weight record
🐟 Ryan Bauman, brook trout AND bigmouth buffalo - catch-and-release records
🐟 Marisa Pettiford, shovelnose sturgeon – catch-and-release record

State records are featured as they come in on our Minnesota Fish & Wildlife account. Learn more about the program and enter your fish: mndnr.gov/fishing/staterecords.html

🦠 🟢 🫧🪵 They creep across the forest floor like sheets of mucus, eating as they go. Then they stop traveling, ooze onto a...
09/09/2026

🦠 🟢 🫧🪵 They creep across the forest floor like sheets of mucus, eating as they go. Then they stop traveling, ooze onto a dead log, a leaf, or a blade of grass, and transform. 🦠 What are they?

They are slime molds – also known as moon poo, dog vomit 🐶🤢🤮 and wolf's milk. With a hand lens you can spot them in the woods and maybe in your own backyard. Check them out in the Young Naturalists story "Stranger than Fiction" in the latest issue of Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine: mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine/issues/2026/sep-oct/yn.html

Photo credit: Alison Pollack

08/09/2026

As the sun sets on summer, we say farewell to another state fair. 👋🎡

Thanks so much to everyone who was able to come out and visit us at the DNR building and grounds! We can’t wait to do it all over again next year. 😎

Congratulations to The Nature Conservancy on a record number of seedlings planted! Just this spring, we worked with TNC ...
08/09/2026

Congratulations to The Nature Conservancy on a record number of seedlings planted! Just this spring, we worked with TNC to plant almost 342,000 trees on 1,478 acres, bringing future forests to state parks, wildlife management areas, and state forests. We’re grateful to work with partners like TNC to keep Minnesota’s forests growing strong.

Address

500 Lafayette Road

55155

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 08:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+16512966157

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