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City to host Forest Revitalization Public Meeting on February 11

[Duluth, MN] The City of Duluth will host a virtual public meeting on Thursday, February 11 at 5:00 p.m. to share information on 108 acres of proposed forest revitalization projects. City forestry staff have identified targeted areas throughout the City that would include pine and aspen thinning as a part of the revitalization project. Targeted areas include Seven Bridges Road, Hawk Ridge, Hartley and Enger Parks, and Spirit Mountain.

City Forester Clark Christenson will present the scope of the proposed revitalization work at the meeting and will provide time for public comments and questions. 

The identified areas will significantly benefit from the proposed forest stand improvement work. Within each specific area, invasive species will be removed, and mature trees will be thinned by an estimated 20-50 percent. Trees will be planted or sown in at approximately half of the acres that are proposed to be thinned, where site appropriate. 

Approximately 20 percent of the acres targeted will naturally replant themselves and perpetuate the currently growing forest. The remaining acres will need additional work before the next generation of trees can grow. Revitalization work will be done during the upcoming winter seasons to protect trails in the impacted areas. No work is anticipated to start until this forthcoming winter at the earliest.

Revitalization work is a best practice and an essential part of forest management. It helps to ensure the survival of native tree species, as well as restoring ecological systems. Thinning methods allow trees to get the right amount of nutrients, sunlight, water while providing more space for root systems to grow. The purpose of this work is to support the forest for future generations, reduce competition, enhance habitat diversity, and promote the regeneration of native plant species. 

Those wanting to join the meeting are asked to visit https://www.duluthmn.gov/live-meeting/ and select, “Parks & Recreation Public Meetings”. The link to this meeting will then appear.

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