{"id":2587,"date":"2023-01-12T14:32:49","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T19:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chapter.ser.org\/midwestgreatlakes\/?page_id=2587"},"modified":"2023-07-05T17:03:39","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T21:03:39","slug":"minnesota","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chapter.ser.org\/midwestgreatlakes\/states\/minnesota\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Minnesota is home to a diverse range of ecosystems. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Read more about Minnesota’s natural areas below and find out about opportunities to participate in this state.<\/em><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Major Ecosystems in Minnesota<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Laurentian Mixed Forest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northeastern Minnesota is dominated by the Laurentian Mixed Forest. For many, this is synonymous with the north woods or boreal forest. Here, you\u2019ll mostly find aspen, pine, spruce and fir, with pockets of northern hardwoods caused by changes in climate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Broadleaf Forest <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Eastern Broadleaf Forest province runs in a narrow band through the center of the state. As the name suggests, you\u2019ll find fewer conifers in this area and more hardwoods like oaks, hickories, maples and basswood. This province is home to Minnesota\u2019s famous Big Woods\u2014an area west of the Twin Cities that contained over 3,000 square miles of deciduous forest before extensive settlement and development. Only a small portion of the original Big Woods remains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prairie Parkland <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Prairie Parkland province is in southern and western Minnesota. Once dominated by native prairie, this province now includes some of Minnesota\u2019s most productive agricultural land. A few remnants of the prairie still exist, mostly in state parks and other protected areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tallgrass Aspen Parklands <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tallgrass Aspen Parklands province extends into northwestern Minnesota from the north. It\u2019s characterized by an open aspen savanna with tallgrass prairie vegetation mixed in. Read here<\/a> for a description from University of Mn Extension.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The four major types of natural areas in MN. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lawndale Creek Restoration, Western MN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Organizations for Restoration in Minnesota:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n