Sept. 14, 2023



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*Minnesota DNR News
*




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

Sept. 14, 2023




*More information:
*Contact the DNR Information Center*
*by?*email? <[email protected]>*or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* 2 Minnesota forests to join national Old-Growth Forest Network [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Zebra mussels confirmed in Scandinavian Lake in Pope County [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Starry Stonewort confirmed in Dora Lake in Itasca County [ #link_1491412003165 ]

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2 Minnesota forests to join national Old-Growth Forest Network

Two renowned Minnesota old-growth forests ? the Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area in Itasca County and the Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA in Clearwater County ? will be the first in the state to join the national Old-Growth Forest Network. The network recognizes existing old-growth forests across the nation and highlights the importance of preserving these areas.

?Minnesota has 48,000 acres of protected old-growth forest? Minnesota DNR Forest Ecologist Emily Peters said. ?It provides unique habitats for native plants and animals, and important recreational and spiritual opportunities for Minnesotans. The DNR has a longstanding goal to protect this rare and important forest resource on state lands.?

Events in October will celebrate Minnesota?s additions to the Old-Growth Forest Network and kick off a series of public hikes over the next several years in publicly accessible old-growth forests in Minnesota state parks and SNAs:


* Lost 40 SNA: A short interpretive hike will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, 12. Meet at the parking lot off Forest Road 2240 (Lost 40 Road).
* Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA: A full day of fun and educational activities Friday, Oct. 13 will celebrate old-growth forests in Itasca State Park. More information is available on the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/state_parks/events.html).

The Old-Growth Forest Network is a nonprofit working to connect people with nature by creating a voluntary national network of protected, publicly accessible forests. The network's goal is to identify and ensure the preservation and recognition of at least one forest in every county in the U.S. where forests grow, focusing on celebrating our nation?s oldest forests. The Old-Growth Forest Network has recognized more than 200 forests in 35 states.

The 114-acre Lost 40 SNA owes its 32-acre old-growth pine forest to a surveying error during the Public Land Survey in 1882. As the story goes, the pines were missed by loggers because surveyors mistakenly mapped the area as Coddington Lake. The site was re-surveyed, and the error corrected in 1960. Shortly after, it was incorporated into Big Fork State Forest and its old trees have since endured. The DNR designated this old-growth forest in 1995.

The 1,600-acre Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA is located within Itasca State Park. The natural area holds an important place in Minnesota's conservation history. It was established in 1939 within the park at the suggestion of the Minnesota Academy of Science, to preserve a part of the wilderness character of the state that existed prior to European settlement. In 1965, it became Minnesota's first National Natural Landmark. Most of the sanctuary was designated a state SNA in 1989, as the finest example of Great Lakes Pine Forest in north-central Minnesota.

?These are outstanding examples of old-growth forests protected on state lands,? Peters said. ?We?re pleased to have these sites incorporated into the national network.?

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Zebra mussels confirmed in Scandinavian Lake in Pope County
A ruler next to two zebra mussels on a piece of paper.

Photo credit: Minnesota DNR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Scandinavian Lake, near Terrace in Pope County.

Pope County staff discovered two zebra mussels near a lake property. Minnesota DNR staff found two additional zebra mussels near the Scandinavian Lake public water access and took a report from the Scandinavian Lake Association of a zebra mussel found in another part of the lake.

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:


* *Clean* watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
* *Drain* all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
* *Dispose* of unwanted bait in the trash.
* *Never release* bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days *before moving them from one water body to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


* *Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment ? find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/decon).
* *Spray* with high-pressure water or *rinse* with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
* *Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ais).

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Starry Stonewort confirmed in Dora Lake in Itasca County
Two men in a boat search for starry stonewort in a lake

Photo credit: Minnesota DNR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Dora Lake, near Wirt in Itasca County.?

Minnesota DNR staff conducting an LCCMR-funded algae survey discovered starry stonewort near the Dora Lake public access. A follow-up survey to determine distribution confirmed a roughly 100 square foot area where starry stonewort is intermingled with other aquatic plants. Available treatment options could include hand pulling, herbicide applications or other methods as appropriate.

Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river, but treatment or careful removal can help reduce the risk of spread and relieve associated nuisance impacts on water-related recreational activities. Early detection is key to effective management.

Starry stonewort has now been confirmed in 28 water bodies in Minnesota. It was first confirmed in Minnesota in 2015.

Starry stonewort is an algae that looks like some native aquatic plants. In late summer and early fall, starry stonewort?s small white star-shaped bulbils become more visible, making it easier to distinguish from other aquatic plants. Information on how to identify starry stonewort can be found on the?Minnesota DNR?s website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/invasives/aquaticplants/starrystonewort). If people think they?ve found starry stonewort or any other invasive species new to a lake or river, they should report it to the Minnesota DNR by contacting their?area invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html).

Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants. It is most likely spread when fragments have not been properly cleaned from trailered boats, personal watercraft, docks, boat lifts, anchors or other water-related equipment.?

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:


* *Clean*?watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
* *Drain*?all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
* *Dispose*?of unwanted bait in the trash.
* *Never release*?bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days?*before moving them from one waterbody to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


* *Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment ? find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/decon).
* *Spray* with high-pressure water or *rinse* with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
* *Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the Minnesota DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ais).

Funding for the Dora Lake algae survey was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources , Project 2021-055: Protecting Minnesota?s Beneficial Macroalgae ? All Stoneworts Aren?t Starry.

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