Program purpose
Our goal is to promote effective conservation and stewardship of Minnesota’s native plant communities and rare plants to protect biodiversity, and support system-level ecological function and resilience across the natural landscape as a whole.
Who we are
The Regional Plant Ecology Program includes a team of ecologists with a wide range of expertise (prairie, wetlands, forest, etc.) and is housed within the MNDNR’s Ecological and Water Resource Division. Our team works throughout the state to protect and conserve high priority native plant communities and rare plants by working collaboratively with a variety of internal and external partners.
Regional Plant Ecologists work with a variety of partners including MNDNR staff, private landowners, non-governmental organizations, tribal staff and communities, counties, federal and state agencies.
What we do
- Protect and conserve native forests, prairies, wetlands, and other plant communities
- Evaluate and monitor remnant and restored plant communities and provide conservation guidance for these systems
- Survey, monitor, and support the conservation of rare species
- Provide technical ecological guidance to MNDNR staff and partners
- Create and deliver outreach and education on biodiversity and ecosystems
- Support environmental and natural heritage review
Where we work
Click on the regions for more information.
MNDNR’s administrative regions overlaid with the ecological provinces of Minnesota.
Engage with nature
Get involved
- Attend Ecological and Native Plant Community classes
- Listen to the Prairie Pod to learn more about Minnesota's prairies.
- Volunteer with MNDNR, join MN PlantWatch or steward a Scientific and Natural Area!
Visit your state lands
Learn more about the unique landscapes and ecology of Minnesota
Learn more
- Plant species of Minnesota
- Native habitats
- Restoration
- Land conservation
- Landscaping and backyard habitats
- Interactive maps
- Take classes