Minnesota Mixed Bag: Walz approves bird flu study in wild animals – Outdoor News
St. Paul — After receiving preliminary approval from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, a new study on how bird flu moves through wild animals was approved by Gov. Tim Walz in early January.
The study, conducted by the University of Minnesota, sought around $1.2 million from the LCCMR to begin working on research to understand highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission. During the course of the study, researchers will test around 9,000 animals of varying species from around the state to get a better understanding of bird flu’s movement through not only birds, but wild mammals. The idea for the study arose after some positive bird flu cases were found within Minnesota.
The anticipated takeaways from the research will tell researchers which animals are susceptible to the kind of bird flu outbreak seen around the country right now and understand the genetic makeup of it.
Walz’s approval of the study happened about the time that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the first human death in Louisiana from the current bird flu strand.
MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:
Dave Trauba named to lead Minnesota DNR’s Wildlife Section
Minnesota’s CREP 3 expanded to 75,000 acres, extended to 2039
Minnesota DNR warns anglers to beware of ice heaves that are more prevalent this winter
MINNESOTA SPORTSMEN’S SHOW BEGINS FRIDAY AT CANTERBURY
Shakopee, Minn. — The Minnesota Sportsmen’s Show returns this year with a new name and venue. The inaugural Sportsmen’s, Resort, Lodge, and Outdoor Products Show will be held Jan. 17-19 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. It’s a fishing, hunting, camping, vacation, outdoor equipment, and family fun show all under one roof.
The event is highlighted by hundreds of exhibitors, the Wildlife Adventure Center featuring reptile and wildlife experts with exotic animals and reptiles, a trout pond, and free seminars by Lake of the Woods Tourism director and professional angler, Joe Henry, along with professional walleye angler, Tom Huynh.
Show hours are Friday, Jan. 17, from noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $4 for kids age 6 to 12, and children under age 5 are admitted free of charge. Visit www.mnresortshow.com for more information.
DNR RELEASES 2024 FOREST HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT
St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has released its 2024 Forest Health Annual Report, which uses data from aerial surveys and on-the-ground site visits to compile information about insect outbreaks, disease epidemics, and other impacts to the state’s forests.
The DNR aerially surveyed 17.5 million acres of Minnesota for damage to forests in 2024. Since the early 1950s, aerial surveys have been a tool for discovering, tracking, and managing forest health threats such as spruce budworm, oak wilt, ice storm damage, eastern larch beetle, and more.
Key findings in the 2024 report include:
• The rainy growing season of 2024 helped reduce oak mortality from two-lined chestnut borer and Armillaria root disease. However, the rain caused widespread fungal leaf disease on poplars across Minnesota, although affected trees should not be impacted long-term.
• Spruce budworm damaged more acres in 2024 than it has since 1961. This damage was concentrated in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties.
• Emerald ash borer was discovered in five additional counties, increasing the number of Minnesota counties with known EAB infestation to 53.
• Oak wilt was confirmed for the first time in Carlton and Kandiyohi counties, bringing the number of Minnesota counties with known oak wilt to 33.
For the full report, visit mndnr.gov
SUPPORT STATE’S FORESTS BY COLLECTING BLACK SPRUCE, JACK PINE CONES THIS WINTER
St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR State Forest Nursery is seeking individuals to collect black spruce and jack pine cones this winter. These seeds are vital for reforesting thousands of acres each year, but the number of collectors has declined in recent seasons, creating a need for new participants.
In addition to helping sustain Minnesota’s forests, cone collectors will receive payment for high-quality cones. Currently, a bushel (about nine gallons) of healthy, viable black spruce cones fetches $100, and jack pine cones are worth $30 per bushel.
Drop-off stations accepting jack pine and black spruce cones include Baudette, Bemidji, Cloquet, Deer River, Hibbing, Littlefork, Orr, Tower, Two Harbors, Warroad, and the State Forest Nursery near Akeley.
Before collecting, visit the DNR’s nursery collection webpage for DNR Forestry area office contacts and give them a call to see if that area is still collecting cones.
