Minnesota’s forests enrich our lives in many ways: they clean our air and water, combat climate change, provide habitat for wildlife, give us the raw material for the wood products we use every day, and offer beautiful places to explore and find solitude.
The Minnesota DNR manages roughly 5 million acres of public forest land across the state. From seed, to harvest, to reforestation, the DNR cares for these lands to ensure the forests remain strong and healthy for the next generation.
The Future Forest Fund gives Minnesotans the opportunity to partner directly with the DNR to keep state forests healthy for future generations. By donating to the Future Forest Fund, individuals and corporations can increase the number of trees planted and cared for on state land.
DNR foresters carefully select areas where Future Forest Fund gifts are used, focusing on land where the need is greatest. In addition to supporting replanting efforts on certified sustainably harvested DNR-managed land, donations to the Future Forest Fund help replace trees lost to disease, fire, storms, insects, and other elements.
Foresters plant millions of seedlings on state lands each year. They carefully nurture and protect these young trees, ensuring they grow into healthy forests that provide vital wildlife habitat, purify our air and water, support outdoor recreation, and supply wood products. By contributing to the Future Forest Fund, you can play a direct role in sustaining these forests and securing their benefits for generations to come.
Why donate?
A contribution of any amount to the Future Forest Fund is a beautiful way to honor someone who loved the outdoors, celebrate a special occasion, or demonstrate your commitment to Minnesota's environment. Your donation directly supports the planting of trees in Minnesota, helping to preserve and enhance the landscapes that make our state so extraordinary.
Your tax-deductible donation helps the DNR purchase seedlings, support planting efforts, and nurture young trees until we are confident that they are free to grow into healthy, mature trees.
Ways to donate
- Donate Online
- Make a tax-deductible donation today! Contributions can be made securely online with a credit card, debit card, or directly from your bank account via a US Bank platform.
- Mail a donation
- Send your gift of any amount directly to the Future Forest Fund! Simply download the donation form, fill it out, and mail it with a check payable to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to:
Future Forest Fund
DNR-Forestry Division
500 Lafayette Rd.
St. Paul, MN 55155-4044
Where your contributions grow
Minnesotans’ generous contributions have funded the planting and care of approximately 570,000 seedlings in the last 10 years, including the following projects:
Hill River State Forest
After a windstorm in 2017 destroyed trees in the Hill River State Forest, individual donations to the Future Forest Fund supported the planting of 4,700 white pine and white spruce on 21 acres.
General Andrews State Forest
Contributions from individual donors, including several Lions Clubs, as well as sponsorships by Duluth Pack, Minnesota Public Radio, and St. Paul Arena Company made it possible to plant 110,000 red pine seedlings in the General Andrews State Forest after a destructive snowstorm in 2022.
Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest
The Future Forest Fund and Fox 47’s Seeds for Tomorrow campaign helped diversify nearly 40 acres of regenerating hardwood forests in 2024 by planting 28,500 seedlings, including northern red oak, white oak, and black walnut.
For more information about how to contribute to the Future Forest Fund, please contact:
We sincerely appreciate your partnership—and so will the future generations who enjoy the forests you helped plant!