Providing Habitat

Many of the 36,000 people who work in Minnesota’s forest products industry share your love of hunting, so it’s gratifying to know our work is also helping improve recreational opportunities. In fact, more than 800,000 acres of Minnesota woodlands are owned and managed by forest products companies, with much of this land open to the public for recreational use. Responsible forest management ensures a proper balance between wildlife and their habitats. By providing buffers, using selective harvesting techniques, and leaving nesting trees and islands of uncut trees, modern logging practices not only help sustain aesthetic values, but also some species of wildlife. Deer, bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock and other species thrive on new growth. As one Minnesota logger puts it, “When we’re logging, we’re creating habitat. The deer follow us around.”