Chippewa National Forest

Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota is home to some of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the United States, featuring expansive wetlands, dense forests, and a high concentration of lakes and rivers. These ecosystems provide critical habitat for wildlife, including the highest breeding population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states and play a vital role in filtering water flowing into the headwaters of the Mississippi River. In recent years, large-scale reforestation efforts have been implemented to restore forest health and ecological function following disturbances from storms, wildfire, disease, and insect infestation.

In 2025, the forest advanced its restoration strategy through the FY2025 Chippewa National Forest Restoration Planting Project, planting 1,050,000 native tree seedlings across high-priority landscapes. The project focused on supporting biodiversity, improving soil and water quality, and enhancing long-term forest resilience.

In 2024, 1,250,000 trees were planted as part of a broad restoration initiative to rehabilitate areas impacted by environmental stressors and to continue habitat improvement for species such as bald eagles, gray wolves, and northern goshawks.

In 2022, the Chippewa Diversity and Habitat Reforestation project introduced 2,100,000 native seedlings across 2,100 acres. This large-scale effort was designed to improve forest structure, support diverse plant and animal species, and strengthen ecosystem resilience in the face of climate and disturbance-related pressures.

In 2021, the Chippewa Forest Restoration project added 447,800 trees, supporting forest regeneration in previously disturbed areas and helping to reestablish ecological function across multiple sites.

The earliest of these recent efforts took place in 2019, when the Chippewa Reforestation project planted 669,860 trees to restore canopy cover, improve watershed health, and expand habitat for native wildlife.

Together, these reforestation projects reflect the Chippewa National Forest’s continued investment in long-term ecological restoration. Through strategic planting of native species, the forest supports biodiversity, enhances natural water filtration, and contributes to the overall health of the Mississippi River watershed.