Regional Plant Ecology Program

view of Mississippi River
 

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.

 

Infographic of who regional ecologists work with. Includes: MNDNR staff, private landowners, non-governmental organizations, tribal staff and communities, counties, federal and state agencies.

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. 

  1. Northwest Region
  2. Northeast Region
  3. Central Region
  4. South Region
Map of MNDNR administrative regions and ecological provinces of Minnesota.

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

Red-spotted purple butterfly
 
 
Butterfly milkweed
 

Learn more

 

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