Vegetation

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Technical Training and Certification Program (TTCP) work in partnership to provide a variety of annual trainings related to native plants and native plant communities. Trainings include online modules, in person coursework, and in field, hands on workshops. Subjects range from the use and application of the DNR Field Guides to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota to identification of species within specific plant groups such as grasses, sedges, or prairie plants.

Most large scale native habitat plantings rely on seed mixes, and this is especially true - and especially challenging - on wet sites. In shoreland and wetland restorations, plant diversity is critical for pollinators, wildlife, water quality, and long term ecological resilience. Selecting the right mix requires careful attention to hydrology, soil saturation, fluctuating water levels, ice scour, and seasonal inundation.

Most large scale native habitat plantings are created with seed mixes. Plant diversity is a requirement for pollinators, other wildlife, and the foundation of ecological resilience, but it can be a complicated and consequential challenge to select the best mix for any given site. Building high quality native seed mixes that serve multiple species, replicate natural plant associations, establish readily, conform to certain conservation practice standards, and fit within budget constraints requires training and experience.