Visitors to Crow Wing State Park may notice some big changes to some of the park’s areas with jack pine trees. Before settlement of the land, there were approximately 5 million acres of jack pine barrens spread through Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

The restoration isn’t going to happen overnight. It’s going to take years and a lot of patience to return this once jack pine forest to its pre-settlement days. Also planned in the restoration is the planting of native grasses and flowers, which could benefit more than just the park.

Crow Wing State Park will remain open during the restoration, but they ask you to avoid signed work areas and to watch for heavy machinery.

By — Justin Prince

Sports Director in Bemidji