Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
2011 Environmental Initiative Awards
Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
The Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest (originally the Minnesota Memorial Hardwood State Forest) was established in 1961 as a tribute to pioneers and vetrans of all wars. It includes parts of Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Houston, Fillmore, and Olmsted Counties.
The Dorer Forest is probably the best example of partnership ever in the State of Minnesota.It is the largest of Minnesota's 55 State Forests in gross acreage but one of the smallest in terms of State owned acreage. It is unique among all Minnesota State Forests in that all of the land has been acquired since 1961.
It was a partnership from its start in 1961 with approvals by 7 different county boards, support of the Commissioner of Conservation George Selke and Governor Elmer Anderson, political support by the Minnesota Chapter of the Izzak Walton League, and the herculean efforts of the 5 individuals recognized as the founders of the forest; Richard Dorer, Ed Franey, Willis Kruger, George Meyers, and Phil Nordeen.
Every statewide conservation group, local sportmens club,and federal, state, or local government agency is aware of the positive impact the Dorer Forest has had on land use in Southeastern Minnesota and supports verbally and financially where possible the continued growth of the Forest..
In its 50 year history the Dorer Forest has been responsible for the planting of millions of trees, providing habitat to countless species of wildlife, removing invasive species on thousands of acres, improving the quality of forests in 7 counties, restoring trout streams, saving countless tons of soil, and giving tens of thousands individuals a year outdoor recreational opportunities.
The county biological survey found numerous examples of high biodiversity areas throughout the Dorer Forest. Most of these areas were heavily grazed and highgraded stands fo timber when acquired. Through basic conservation techniques such as removing livestock from the woods, poor quality stems from the forest, and planting to improve species composition, these stands have become recognized for their statewide conservation significance.
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terry helbig2011-03-16 02:12
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terry
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helbig
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Project Name
Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Date of Project Completion
Ongoing. Celebrating its golden anniversary in 2011
Category
Natural Resource Protection and Restoration
Project Summary
The Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest (originally the Minnesota Memorial Hardwood State Forest) was established in 1961 as a tribute to pioneers and vetrans of all wars. It includes parts of Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Houston, Fillmore, and Olmsted Counties.
The Dorer Forest is probably the best example of partnership ever in the State of Minnesota.It is the largest of Minnesota's 55 State Forests in gross acreage but one of the smallest in terms of State owned acreage. It is unique among all Minnesota State Forests in that all of the land has been acquired since 1961.
It was a partnership from its start in 1961 with approvals by 7 different county boards, support of the Commissioner of Conservation George Selke and Governor Elmer Anderson, political support by the Minnesota Chapter of the Izzak Walton League, and the herculean efforts of the 5 individuals recognized as the founders of the forest; Richard Dorer, Ed Franey, Willis Kruger, George Meyers, and Phil Nordeen.
Every statewide conservation group, local sportmens club,and federal, state, or local government agency is aware of the positive impact the Dorer Forest has had on land use in Southeastern Minnesota and supports verbally and financially where possible the continued growth of the Forest..
In its 50 year history the Dorer Forest has been responsible for the planting of millions of trees, providing habitat to countless species of wildlife, removing invasive species on thousands of acres, improving the quality of forests in 7 counties, restoring trout streams, saving countless tons of soil, and giving tens of thousands individuals a year outdoor recreational opportunities.
The county biological survey found numerous examples of high biodiversity areas throughout the Dorer Forest. Most of these areas were heavily grazed and highgraded stands fo timber when acquired. Through basic conservation techniques such as removing livestock from the woods, poor quality stems from the forest, and planting to improve species composition, these stands have become recognized for their statewide conservation significance.
Partners
Who were the project partners? What role did each play in the partnership, and how did the partnership operate?
The Minnesota Chapter of the Izzak Walton League has been the Forest's strongest supporter since the beginning. With Richard Dorer serving as president of the organization, the IKES were responsible for starting fund raising for land acquisition prior to legislative appropriations. Their support continues to this day. Local chapters volunteer time and make donations to improve facilities within the Forest. The Minnesota Chapter will be holding its fall workshop in 2011 in the Dorer Forest to again remind all statewide member of the important role the Ikes had in the creation of the Forest.
An organization, Friends of the Hardwood Forest, was created about 1980 for the purpose of showing public support for the Forest at a time when local governments were blaming the double digit land value increases on the land acquisitions that were being completed.
More recently, with land acquisition slowed way down, another group is being formed; Friends of the Zumbro Bottoms. The purpose of this group is to foster partnership of the many recreational users of the Zumbro Bottoms.
The list of non government conservation organizations partnering with the forest is a who's who of conservation organizations. Most recently the Minnesota Land Trust, Trust for Public Lands, and the Nature Conservancy have teamed up to assist with key land acquisitons by donating staff time and dollars.
In addition, govermental organizations at the federal, state, and local levels have been partners providing technical support and advice, financial support in some cases and verbal support in all cases. Through cooperative support of DNR Fisheries, trout streams have been restored; through DNR Wildlife, turkeys and been reintroduced, and through the US Army Corps of Engineers, cooperative floodplain forest management has been completed. Conservation projects have also been completed with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, 4H and other youth groups and sportsmens clubs.
Innovation
How is the partnership and/or project goals, outcomes and process innovative or groundbreaking?
Hardwood management in Minnesota was in its infancy when the Dorer Forest was established. Walnut was planted on early every site with the thought it would thrive, Walnut was the only hardwood the DNR nurseries grew, and selective logging was thought to be the solution for all stands of hardwoods.
Through efforts of DNR Foresters in partnership with the University of Minnesota College of Forestry as well as other institutions, quantum leaps have been made in understand walnut and oak management.
Most recently, work has begun to better understand bottomland hardwood management. A DNR field forester was invited to give a paper on bottomland regeneration at a quad state floodplain forestry conference. His expenses were paid for by the US Forest Service and Army Corps of Engineers because they felt the innovative techniques being practices by Minnesota Foresters in the Dorer Forest should be shared with other foresters in the quad state area.
In addition to the Corps of Engineers, the US Fish and Wildlife Service also calls for ideas on how to manage their bottomland hardwoods.
Though tecnically not a partnership, a very innovative funding mechanism with continuing statewide impact got its start through the Dorer Forest; namely, the LCCMR.
The LCCMR (Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources), formerly the LCMR, (Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources), previously the MRC (Minnesota Resource Commission) and before the MORC (Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Commission) was started through a legislative proposal put forth by Richard Dorer to place a penny a pack tax on cigarettes to go in to a fund for Dorer Forest acquisitions. Dick was politically savy enough to know that the tax would not pass for just a single projects so he added funding for other wildlife projects as well as PCA into the proposal he prepared. The tax passed and the rest, as they say, is history.
Goals
Describe the project goals
State forest goals are described in Minnesota statute 89.021 subdivision 1.
State Forests are "... established for growing, managing and harvesting timber and other forest crops and for the establishment and development of recreational areas, and for the protection of watershed areas, and the preservation and development of rare and distinctive species of flora and faund native to such areas ...".
The goals of the Dorer Forest are consistent with this statute. Acquired lands are managed to achieve an optimum mix of ecological, economical and social objectives.
ECOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES:
Economic and social factors depend on a healthy ecosystem. Consequently, foresters in the Dorer Forest work with private forest landowners and on State Forest Land to implement practices that improve and sustain critical components of the ecosystem; namely soils, water, wildlife and vegetation, particularily the forests.
Vegetative management is probably the most effective tool for ecological land management. Dense vegetative cover is employed to stabilize soils.
Wildlife habitat is improved and maintained through management of preferred vegetative species for cover and forage. Fisheries habitat and water quality is improved and maintained as sediment is reduced by soil stabilization. Forest stands are managed for sustained yields thereby perpetuating the hardwood forests characteristic of the landscape.
ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES:
The trees of southeastern Minnesota are grown , managed and harvested to help sustain forest industries, both primary and secondary, with a continuing supply of high quality wood.
SOCIAL OBJECTIVES:
The Dorer Forest attracts recreational users of all types. The West Assembly Area of the Zumbro Bottoms Unit is currently the top grossing forestry campground in the State of Minnesota. In addition to the recreational opportunities for locals and tourist, there is the added economic advantage of additional dollars spent in the local economy.
Outcomes
What were the outcomes of the project (if completed)? What have been the outcomes so far, and what are the anticipated future outcomes (if ongoing)?
Although the Forest has come nowhere close the the 200,000 acre acquistion goal by year 2000 set in the 1966 acquisition plan or the 87,000 acre acquisiton goal by 2000 set inthe 1979 acquisition plan, the Forest still has to be considered an unprecedented success.
Total Dorer State Forest ownership is currently about 45,000. Not 200,000 or even 87,000 but still a very impressive total considering it started with just a dream of 5 men.
The forest was promoted as a means to reduce soil erosion, control forest fires, grow quality timber, improve fish and wildlife habitat, and to provide public land for a growing population. It has achieved all of those goals.
The Dorer Forest is an ongoing project. There are new opportunities for land acquision funding with the passage of the 3/8% sales tax ammendment. The first tract acquired with this funding source should occur later this year. Hopefully it won't be the last and the Dorer Forest can continue to add growth rings in the form of added acreage as it progresses towards its centennial.
| 117 weeks ago terry helbig updated this Competition Entry. | |
| 118 weeks ago terry helbig updated this Competition Entry. | |
| 118 weeks ago terry helbig submitted this idea. |
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