Join Drs. Miranda Curzon and Marcella Windmuller-Campione as they discuss their work on two Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) project sites. The ASCC project represents a collaboration between managers and scientists to establish experimental trials that assess forest ecosystem response to climate adaptation approaches (resistance, resilience, transition, and passive no action). Miranda will introduce a new multi-state ASCC study to be implemented on state-owned lands in the Driftless Area.

This University of Minnesota website has links to forest pests and disease descriptions, identification and management options.

Each year, the Minnesota DNR Forest Health team conducts both aerial assessments and on-the-ground monitoring to assess the health of the state’s forests. Join us for this webinar as MN DNR Forest Health Specialists provide an update on the status and trends in forest health from all corners of the state.

Climate change is altering forest ecosystems, with many changes expected by the end of the 21st century. Forests vary widely, and not all forests are equally at risk; vulnerabilities are strongly influenced by regional differences in climate impacts and adaptive capacity.

Emily May and Karin Jokela from the Xerces Society present on pesticide risks to pollinators in habitat near cropland, including field research on pesticide contamination and impacts, and how to address and mitigate those risks in planning prairie strips. The talk includes local case studies and partner experiences.

Jim Fritz (SE ARC, MN NRCS), James Fett (Watershed Technician, Mower SWCD), and Andrea Eger (Regenerative Ag Project Manager, TNC) discuss the following topics on CP43 CCRP Prairie Strips:

This video will outline and explain the aspects of soil chemistry which sustains agricultural nutrient cycling. Soil biology is the key player in sustainable farming supporting soil chemistry and enabling nutrient cycling. Soil organic matter is the building block to support microbes and enhance soil chemistry.

Dr. Mary Cole joins the Soil Food Web School Team to talk about Pathogenic Fungi & Plant Pathogens, problems of our making, not theirs! Fungi have a role and place in the diverse ecosystem that is Life on Earth. Fungi became known as ‘pathogens’ because of our monoculture style of agriculture. But fungi have an imperative role in sequestering carbon in the soil, holding water in the soil, and building resilience in the face of climate threats to agriculture. 

During Soil Regen Summit 2021: Hope for the Future, Ray Archuleta explained that regenerative cropping and grazing systems that emulate nature’s strategies (biomimicry) are healthier agro-ecosystems that self-heal, self-regulate and self-organize. He also explained how these healthy ecosystems can potentially eliminate the need for pesticides and man-made fertilizers.

Dr. Elaine Ingham and her colleagues discovered the Soil Food Web nearly 4 decades ago. She has been pioneering research on soil health ever since, working with farmers on 6 continents. To kick off the Soil Regen Summit 2021: Hope for the Future, Dr. Elaine Ingham explained how the Soil Food Web and Soil Biology works and how it is essential to soil health worldwide.