Explore, understand and conserve the natural landscape. Through our education, volunteer and participatory science programs, people can become stewards of Minnesota’s public and private lands.
Minnesota Master Naturalist Janet Nelson captures nature’s details with skillful precision honed at crime scenes.
Water isn’t just a resource for Bob McNamara. It’s life itself. “You don’t know until it’s gone how important it is.”
Minnesota Master Naturalists can volunteer as seed collectors, targeting plants from early-blooming pasqueflowers and prairie smoke to late-blooming asters and bottle gentian.
Increasing climate resilience through research, collaboration and communication
Find Extension resources to help you weather the storm, including flooding, drought, and extreme cold.
A weekly blog of Minnesota climate and weather observations
Any adult who is curious and enjoys learning about the natural world can become a Minnesota Master Naturalist.
Explore your natural surroundings with your family, help scientists observe plants and animals, stay active while staying home.
Everyone, everywhere, can be a scientist by observing and gathering data about the world around them.
Educators and youth workers find resources and curricula for outdoor and classroom activities.
Foster healthy, resilient woodlands by adding species predicted to adapt well to climate changes.
Agroforestry combines agricultural and forestry practices to improve environmental quality, productivity and economic returns.
Minnesota forests offer more than timber. Learn how to produce nuts and fruit, make maple syrup or gather wild plants for food or decorations.
Learn how to care for and manage different forest types and harvest timber in Minnesota.
Participating in the Minnesota Woodland Steward program will help you create a plan to keep your woods healthy for future generations.
Timely articles on sustainable forest management and achieving forest stewardship goals.
Guidance from Extension experts on choosing, growing, and tending to your yard and woodland trees.
AIS Detectors and Trackers are statewide volunteer invasive species surveillance programs that target high-risk areas with trained observers.
Citizens can help with early detection of invasive species.
Forest Pest First Detector volunteers detect and diagnose early infestations of invasive plants, insects and other pests.
Volunteers work on short-term research projects that have long-term effects on invasive species science, management and policy.
Pollinators help plants that bring us food and other resources. Learn how to create pollinator-friendly environments in your yard and garden.
Strategies for attracting wildlife to your Minnesota woodlands, including grouse, deer, pheasants, turkey and other animals.
Manage plant damage from deer, moles and voles.
Volunteer to collect data on deer damage to vegetation in Minnesota woodlands.
Penny Stiles educates as an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Detector.
Biodiversity isn’t just about what’s growing in the forest, but also how it’s growing. Forests with a wide range of tree sizes, ages, and canopy openings provide structural diversity.
The recent storm that tore through Bemidji and surrounding areas left behind a trail of destruction. This guide provides practical steps for assessing and managing storm-damaged woodlands, helping landowners make informed decisions during recovery.
Timely articles on forestry, water resources, wildlife, invasive species, volunteer citizen science projects and the work of Master Naturalists.
See all natural resource events around the state.
© 2025 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.