Natural Resources

Practically everyone has an opinion about natural resource management, and the opinions are well-intentioned and diverse. As special interests devoted to recreation, industry, and preservation have asserted their agendas in the public policy arena, Minnesota’s natural resource management has become more contentious.

The beginning of a new administration presents an opportunity for re-evaluation and change in many policy areas. Because natural resources are such an important topic to so many Minnesotans, we believe this is a good time to review the state’s natural resource management objectives and practices and to make recommendations for reform and improvement.

Guided by the commonsense conservation principles of sustainability, stewardship, sharing, equity, and globalization, this report sets forth twenty-four recommendations in four areas: general operations, wildlife resources, forest resources, and mineral resources.

Read the full report in Adobe PDF