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Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Host Tour
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(above) Gerry Engel describes RLDNR plant
materials center activities (NRCS photo — click to enlarge)
pine seedlings at the LDNR plant materials center (NRCS photo —
click to enlarge)
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Minnesota NRCS Area 1 staff recently got to see the good reforestation and
plant materials work by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indian’s Department of
Natural Resources (RLDNR). Since 2001, the RLDNR forestry program has
successfully used funding and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP) for their reforestation efforts.
NRCS Area 1 and Bismarck Plant Materials Center staff observed the various
levels of forest restoration and development and the Band’s greenhouse and
nursery operations. The tour also included a visit to an oak savannah
restoration project, unique to northern Minnesota. RLDNR’s Forestry Development
Forester Gerry Engel, led the tour discussions and activities.
A tour stop at the unique oak savannah restoration project, part of an active
EQIP contract, allowed the group to see an innovative approach to restoring an
oak habitat that has been strongly affected by the presence of frequent fire. Engel explained that with proper management, designed to encourage oak
regeneration that will support a healthy range of oak age classes and improve
the surrounding landscape, this oak savannah will thrive. RLDNR foresters have
been seeking technical assistance and working with NRCS to improve the current
conditions of the oak savannah and establish a sound native prairie.
After a traditional Annishinabe meal (walleye, wild rice, and fry bread) the
group ventured into the great pine forest. The tour afforded the group
opportunities to see a wide perspective of forest redevelopment activities
including seed collection and propagation methods, alternative site preparation
methods (such as anchor-chaining and prescribed burns), pine plantation methods,
and timber stand improvement (TSI) methods. The group visited a mature red pine
timber stand that had been thinned as a TSI and fuels reduction project.
The tour ended at the Red Lake Band’s greenhouse facility where the group heard
about greenhouse facility operations and success in
germinating and propagating over 1.2 million pine, spruce, tamarack, cedar, and
oak seedlings a year.
Your contact is Leanne Langeberg,
NRCS soil conservation technician, at 218-679-3959, ext. 1317.
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