DNR

DNR 90th anniversary Smokey’s 80th birthday

(Minneapolis, MN) — August 15th, 2024 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ building and surrounding grounds at the Minnesota State Fair (which runs from Aug. 22 to Sept. 2) will feature new musicians, presentations and activities, in addition to popular attractions from previous years. The Minnesota DNR’s iconic State Fair log building opened 90 years ago in 1934, and its park-like location provides fairgoers with a unique opportunity to

Kathio State Park

(Minnesota) — June 24, 2024 — Minnesota state lands are great places to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. In addition to an abundance of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, birdwatching, camping and more; state parks, recreation areas and forests offer a quiet location to celebrate Independence Day away from loud fireworks displays. Minnesota rules prohibit the use of fireworks in state parks, recreation areas and forests. “Not everyone enjoys

Deer Feeding and Attractant Bans

(Minnesota) —  June 26, 2023 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has removed deer feeding or feeding and attractant bans in 24 counties to focus restrictions on areas where risk of chronic wasting disease spread is of greatest concern. “The DNR uses feeding and attractant bans as a tool to reduce unnatural crowding of deer and reduce the risk of exposure to CWD,” said Todd Froberg, big game program

Kathio State Park

(Minnesota) — June 26, 2023 — Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are great places to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Not only is there an abundance of recreational opportunities, state parks and recreation areas offer a quiet location to celebrate Independence Day away from loud fireworks displays. Minnesota rules prohibit the use of fireworks in state parks. “Not everyone enjoys the light and sound associated with fireworks,” said

Elk Surveys Northwest Minnesota

Public can document elk observations using new elk sightings tool on the DNR website (Theif River Falls, MN) — January 9th, 2023 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will conduct aerial elk surveys beginning the second week of January. DNR staff will survey the Kittson County and Grygla elk herds in northwestern Minnesota and the border elk herd in both Minnesota and Manitoba. The surveys are typically conducted each

DNR Officer Candidates Graduate

  (St Paul, MN) — September 15, 2022 —  Eighteen people graduated Tuesday, Sept. 13, from the 21st Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Academy, after training for 16 weeks in all aspects of their new careers as conservation officers. The graduates already have spread out across the state and will spend the next several months field training with experienced conservation officers before assuming their assigned stations. The officers

Shooting Range

The steady increase in the popularity of shooting sports has created capacity issues at some shooting ranges in Minnesota. In an attempt to address this, the Minnesota Legislature has funded a grants program to provide people with more and better places to safely shoot. For the current round of funding under this program, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering $125,00 in grants. The application period is open-ended and

DNR Volunteers

(Minnesota) — April 7th, 2022 — More than 15,000 volunteers helped the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources do everything from monitoring rainfall levels to clearing trails, according to the new 2021 annual DNR volunteer report. “Our volunteers give back to their communities and the state in so many ways,” Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “I can’t overstate how grateful we are for their continued service.” Although many volunteer activities paused or

Earl and Sonya Anderson

(Alexandria MN)– February 28th, 2022 — Alexandria residents Earl and Sonya Anderson have been named the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Volunteer Snowmobile Instructors of the Year for 2021. The award typically goes to one person, but the Andersons have worked together for years to certify nearly 6,500 students in snowmobile safety. Earl and Sonya Anderson committed to providing foundation for lifetime of safe riding Going Above and Beyond The